stimsons Python - 6 month old wont eat

[bailey2762]

I got a Stimsons Python from a breeder about 4 weeks ago. I fed him within the first week and he took the food straight away. I tried again one week later and he he took it, however after about 20 minutes of looking and attempting to bite the fuzzy he let go. I picked it up again and he took it again as i was trying to get it out of the cage and he did the same thing. He did this three times.
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I waited a week until i attempted to feed him again. In that time i didnt handle him. But now he wont take it. He comes out and sniffs it then leaves it. Its been a Month now and worried that im doing something wrong and he's going to kark it.
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Since he ate the first time I have not made any changes to his enclosure. I put the temp up a little because I was informed that it was too cold.
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Any ideas.

 

[bailey2762]

Also can i still handle him. Iv had him out three or four times cause worried i'm scaring him

 

[scottyh75]

Hi Bailey,
Don't panic, This time of year stimsons always go off their food and slow down. Even if you turn up temps and keep them warm, they do recognise the change in seasons. I have a 7yr old female that 3 years ago, when we moved house and disrupted her environment on a seasonal change and a sloughing stage. she did'nt eat for 11 months..yours is to young to hibernate and not eat for that long. Stop handling for 2 weeks and let him try again to eat. Perhaps get him out into a seperate feeding cage, as this way you might avoid being touched up by the snake and he will learn that your hands in his cage are friendly and that he gets fed in a special place.. I have 2 male pythons that get fed in a feeding tub, and they never refuse a feed and are handled like family pets...all the time. They even come and crawl around the loungeroom with kids and find a nice warm place to sleep...obviously they are over a meter long and they are always supervised so we dont loose them...If your stimson doesn't shed or eat within the next month to 6 weeks, find a herp vet or one that specailises in snakes and reptiles and see what they have to say. I dont believe you will have a problem though. Give him his space, let him get used to a new enviroment and you'll have a great pet...

 

[beeman]

How big is this "cage " this little guy is in?
How was it housed when you picked it up from the breeder?

 

[bailey2762]

Thanks, he is only in a little plastic container about 30cmL x 15cmH x 20cmW. I think the one the breeder had it in may be a little smaller but this one is not huge. Should I go any smaller?

 

[beeman]

No that will be fine, Usually hatchies will go off feeding because they get over handled or thier heat range isnt correct.
You should be able to maintain the warm end of your tub at 30-31 dg.
How are you heating the tub?

 

[jamesbecker]

id be getting the heat at 33-34 degrees just personally, found they get a much better feeding responce at that temp

 

[bailey2762]

OK so the heats up. The snake still hasn't shed. and still wont eat. sniffs it for 5 mins while i hold it then tries to climb up me hand. So i use tweezers tries to climb up. I leave it on the floor he looks then just sits there? Im heating with a heat mat. on fuzzies.