Stubborn Eater

instantofthedawn · #1 (**permalink**) 07-03-2002, 04:41 AM

I have a Brazilian Rainbow Boa who is a year old and just moved into my home two weeks ago. She has chosen not to eat at every attempt I have made. This means that she has not eaten in almost three weeks. I have been trying to feed her small frozen/thaw rats and am thinking about downsizing to rat pinkies. Her average cage temperature is at eighty degrees and her humidity area is at eighty percent humidity. She lives in an environment that fits her size (she's about 36 inches long and lives in a forty to fifty gallon cage). Any ideas you have as to what is causing her to not eat would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.
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phaedrus · #2 (**permalink**) 07-03-2002, 04:49 AM

She's probably still acclimatizing to her new home. It's not clear if you just acquired her or have had her and you are the one that just recently moved (along with her). If she's new to you and/or the home, probably just getting used to all the new smells. Three weeks isn't much to worry about. She may be ready to shed on top of it all. When was she last fed and what did she eat? When was her last shed, like I said, she may be due and has she recently pooed? She could be constipated. When she starts cruising the cage, you'll know she's getting comfortable and is hungry. Try again in a few days after she's settled down. Just remember, don't refreeze the food item.
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instantofthedawn · #3 (**permalink**) 07-03-2002, 04:56 AM

She's new to me. She shed two weeks ago. She pooed a few days after her last meal. Her previous owner had just started her on small rats, but we talked and think we will go back to rat pinkies. Another question: How often should her moss be changed some people have told me once a week...others have said once a month.
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phaedrus · #4 (**permalink**) 07-03-2002, 05:04 AM

Unfortunately, I'm not the BRB expert. But, here. Look at the Caresheet for BRB. There are more on different subjects. Look to your left. Again, I would say she's still settling in, but I'm sure the owner's of BRB of the site will add their personal experience.

I'm just the proud owner of a RTB! So I can't speak from experience.

As to changing the moss, it depends on how soiled it gets from poo and urates. Cleanliness is key to a healthy snake.

Try to get a pic posted. I'm sure we'd all love to see her! Oh, Welcome to Redtailboa.net! Enjoy your stay, kick back and relax. You'll love the people here. They're great and have a wealth of collective knowledge. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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Ed_r · #5 (**permalink**) 07-03-2002, 05:52 AM

if the previous owner say that it ate f/t try feeding it in a confined area. My baby BRB wont eat unless i put it in a deli cup overnight. seems like they are too busy with there environment sometimes. Also allot depends on the temps you have it at and they are sticklers for humidity. Where are those at? Also they are more nocturnal so may be used to eating at night.
On my Ammies I dont use moss. I use the reptibark and have a philadendrum in the cage for air quality. I mist the cages twice a day.
Welcome to RTB
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dizzyblonde · #6 (**permalink**) 07-03-2002, 10:55 PM

hi..had to post cuz we have a pair of Rainbows too (Seurat and Dotti). We just got Dotti last week and she eats frozen rat fuzzies....she is also about a year old like yours. Seurat is about 6 months old....and being a pain in the butt when it comes to feeding....my husband had him on frozen and then he decided to stop eating so we went back to live ...but there is finally an end to this because yesterday I got him to eat the one live and then a frozen...yay! So I totally understand your frustration. We also have an argentine and we feed all of them in a feed box and not in their cages. As said in the other posts...I don't think you should worry just yet...maybe she is stressed out...and just needs a little time to adjust. good luck!!! ~ oh as for your other questions about humidity and such...I think you will find everyone has their own opinion....I would change out the moss often...just so mold doesn't grow. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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doc123 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-07-2002, 09:03 AM

did she eat yet if so good if not try do force feed her if you cant do it get some one else to do it
i know it sounds like a bit much but find myself doing it more then i like and i will not take long she will eat on her own or try a stimulat can buy it in must pet stores
good luck
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dizzyblonde · #8 (**permalink**) 07-09-2002, 02:19 AM

[img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img] Okay...how exactly do you force feed a snake? I know how to force feed a Great Dane... haven't had to do it...but...anyways. Three weeks seems a little soon for force feeding or am I wrong. Please remember I am pretty new to these slithering guys!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] I thought snakes could live quite a while without food...and actually tomorrow is feeding day here at our house...wish me luck on getting my hubby's snake to eat frozen(he ate frozen last meal...WHAHOO!)! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] But seriously...three weeks? Too soon or not for force feeding?
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zupanm · #9 (**permalink**) 07-09-2002, 03:56 PM

when i first got my new snake, she didn't eat till around 3 weeks after. I can tell when my snake is hungary cause she will come out of hiding and search all around the cage for food. Let the snake adjust to the new home and make sure the temps are right so you are not putting even more stree on the snake. From what I know a healthy snake can go months without food.
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phaedrus · #10 (**permalink**) 07-10-2002, 01:18 AM

I agree. Force feeding should not be considered right now. It's another form of stress when she's already stressed from getting used to a new home. Give her time. She'll be fine.

In the meantime, find a vet and schedule an appointment.
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Bry · #11 (**permalink**) 07-10-2002, 01:28 AM

Also, large enclosures can put stress on young snakes. Sometimes it'll cause them to go off feed becuase they don't feel secure enough to eat. You should consider a 20 long or something until the BRB outgrows it.

Bry
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JuliusSqueezer · #12 (**permalink**) 07-10-2002, 01:43 AM

her shed cycle probably threw her off feed. 3 weeks is nothing to worry about. Pink rats are what they eat as the first meal when they are roughly the size of string so don't go back to that. Try wiggling it for her and bumping her tail with it and if she doesn't strike and coil, then just leave her with it over night and don't peek til morning. I would not consider force feeding as long as she hasn't lost alot of weight, which is not going to happen in 3 months..let alone 3 weeks. Start gettinc concerned about her litte fast somewhere around October if it's still going on. Keep trying though...she will eat when she's ready.
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jim_virgilio · #13 (**permalink**) 07-10-2002, 03:32 AM

I'm sorry about the fussy eater. The one thing you could try is feeding her live pinkie rats, they can't hurt the snake, and if it takes one or two live feedings to get her on track, that's heathlier than not eating. i gues i'm lucky, my red tail, lucifer, ate 3 days after i brought him home, pooped six days later, and ate again 7 days later.
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