Running out of tricks, need advice

[brandon0133]

i got three more snakes today,,lol

[Stefan-A]

Yet another update. She hasn't eaten anything for three weeks, going on four. Could she really be stupid enough to starve to death by refusing to eat anything but worms?

She still seems as healthy as ever. Maybe a bit more active and alert.

[Cazador]

Hey Stephan,

I've been reading through your thread, and I just had a male T.s. pickeringii go through the same thing. He ate very poorly for about 5 weeks, but fall was coming, and he was also courting a female. I kept offering food, and he eventually snapped out of it. I would have put him into brumation, but I brumated him out of cycle. He went into the fridge in about May and came out in about late August. I suspect you've already raised the temp to around 28-29C?

You may end up having to put yours down into brumation, but if you don't want to, you'll have to offer other food items. In another thread, I recently mentioned sprinkling water into the food/water dish to excite the snake. As I recall, you used to offer some sort of small fish. I forgot what kind. Try threading some thin fishing line through one of those fish, and give it some motion while you're sprinkling water into the dish. Motion really makes any food item more attractive.

I know you're not a fan of it and would probably opt for brumation over it, but force feeding can "reset" a snake's appetite. I don't exactly understand it, but it's as if they forget how good it is to eat, and once they get the taste in their mouths, they're good to go again. Strange, but it works and isn't as difficult as you might imagine.

If this isn't an option for you, and you still don't want to put the snake down, you might consider offering a live amphibian. It's a decision you'll have to weigh... the possibility of parasites vs. weight loss. It depends on how desperate you become, but they're really energy-rich and loaded with lipids.

Rick

[Stefan-A]

The temp is 25-26 degrees, I better raise it then..?

Can't think of any alternative food items apart from different kinds of fish and rodents, that I could get a steady supply of. Ethically, I have no qualms about feeding it live food, including amphibians and mammals, since it might actually be necessary. The problem is that finding them is not so easy. Getting hold of a suitable amphibian might be a problem, I don't know if it could stomach a Cynops sp., since they're mildly poisonous. Haven't seen any clawed frogs anywhere in years. Parasites, well, the lesser of two evils, I guess.

The temperature in my parents' potato cellar shouldn't drop below 4-5 degrees, but isn't it still a bit low for safe brumation..?

Force feeding.. I'd definitely need some guidance and I don't mean over the net or through videos. I've necked a few adders and grass snakes before, but I've never tried to get them to swallow anything.

[Cazador]

Personally, I brumate at just over 4C (about 40F). I've also seen literature where other labs use 4C for up to four months, so no worries there. I imagined that you might have a pet store nearby where you could buy a single salamander or frog for scenting/feeding? If not, the flopping fish in shallow water or the moving dead fish on fishing line might be your next best option.

Also 25-26C is fine for everyday living, but I'd bump it up just temporarily to see if you can get through this before you commit to brumation.

[Stefan-A]

Got the temp up to 28 degrees. That really got her active.

She also attacked the mouse I offered her. Not a feeding response, though.

[Cazador]

Bummer. If a finnicky (not Finnish) snake doesn't hold onto its food during the first strike, it usually doesn't take it at all during that attempt. The temp/activity levels sound promising, though. Best,

Rick

[Cazador]

Mike (Garterking) mentioned something on another thread that might work well for you, Stephan. Try presenting the food when your snake is actively prowling its cage. Sometimes "timing" can be a real issue with finnicky eaters. Maybe they'll only eat in the morning, midday, evening, or night. The activity levels might be a clue. Hope this helps.

[Stefan-A]

I don't know, the only time I haven't tried is just before sunrise.

[Cazador]

You know what they say, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." Let the snake's activity levels be your guide. Then include some of the other tricks in your arsenal . Cheers.