Re: Leucistic Rat Snake Not Eating , Please Help!!!

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Posted by Ophion on February 23, 2002 at 15:50:03:

In Reply to: Leucistic Rat Snake Not Eating , Please Help!!! posted by Michelle on February 22, 2002 at 18:33:33:

: Hi,
: My 7 month old rat snake won't eat, it's been a month now and she's lost .2 oz. I've tried everything to get her to eat ( open the skull, trying live bait,scenting the prey with chicken broth, and even tapping her to evoke eating,...) Her temps are 75-80 and she was doing fine until about a month ago. I'm worried any suggestions or tips to get her to eat would be greatly appreciated. I am scared because she looks like shes wasting away. :(
: Thanks,
: Michelle

How big is she? Have you tried rat pups. or scenting with rat blood? Sometimes rat snakes want just that - rats. You said you tried tapping, have you tried the 'rat snake tap?' hold the food in front of their nose until they sniff it, then swing it and *lightly* tap it about 2 head lengths down the neck on the side. They can't seem to resist biting when you do it right. Try boxing her with the food item in a dark place. Or you can try the 'wet pinky' - deprive her of water for 3 or 4 days and then give her a food item that has been soaked in water. Sometimes that does the trick. Have you moved her cage? Is she near a kingsnake, or something else who's smell might upset her? Good luck.

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Re: Leucistic Rat Snake Not Eating , Please Help!!! scott gregory 02/23/02 (0)

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: : Hi, : : My 7 month old rat snake won't eat, it's been a month now and she's lost .2 oz. I've tried everything to get her to eat ( open the skull, trying live bait,scenting the prey with chicken broth, and even tapping her to evoke eating,...) Her temps are 75-80 and she was doing fine until about a month ago. I'm worried any suggestions or tips to get her to eat would be greatly appreciated. I am scared because she looks like shes wasting away. :( : : Thanks, : : Michelle : How big is she? Have you tried rat pups. or scenting with rat blood? Sometimes rat snakes want just that - rats. You said you tried tapping, have you tried the 'rat snake tap?' hold the food in front of their nose until they sniff it, then swing it and *lightly* tap it about 2 head lengths down the neck on the side. They can't seem to resist biting when you do it right. Try boxing her with the food item in a dark place. Or you can try the 'wet pinky' - deprive her of water for 3 or 4 days and then give her a food item that has been soaked in water. Sometimes that does the trick. Have you moved her cage? Is she near a kingsnake, or something else who's smell might upset her? Good luck.

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