Not Eating

Burmese Python - Bump, pet Burmese Python
@jands1 (835)
United States
February 18, 2009 12:18pm CST
Our Burmese Python, Bump, is a "rescue snake". Her previous owner was going to have her put down because of the injury she had. That was well over seven years ago and she has done wonderfully. Getting worried because Bump hasn't eaten in going on 4 weeks now. Normally Bump eats every few weeks. What we have been doing is putting her live food in with her and sitting there, watching so the rodent doesn't chew on her. We leave the rodent in her tank for up to six hours. I call it quits when we have other things to do after a few hours or I see the rodent and her snuggling. More correctly, the rodent curling up around her face. I have called several vets and none deal with anything more exotic rabbits. Any suggestions from any Burmese Python owners here on myLot?
2 responses
• United States
19 Feb 09
I have not owned a Burmese, but I have had snakes for many years. It is not too terrible uncommon for snakes to go off feed. The very first thing you need to look into is your husbandry practices, such as heating and humidity being the top 2 issues. Also, perhaps offering a different type of food may help, be sure it is proper size for her. Live food is never a good idea, I suggest trying frozen/thawed and tease feed with a long pair of thongs. Sometimes actually bumping the snake in the nose with the food item will entice a strike, which then will turn to feeding once the snake actually has a hold of the prey item. I would not really be too worried about 4 weeks off food, she can go months between feeding with no serious consequences (though I certainly dont recommend this). I would check again for an exotic vet, try www.reptilechannel.com for a listing of herp vets by state as well as a source of information in all aspects of reptile keeping. As a very last resort, after many months of not eating, I suppose force feeding may become necessary, but under no circumstances attempt this without guidance from an EXPERIENCED person. This could be deadly if not done correctly. I hope I have helped in any way, I wish you good luck with your snake.
@jands1 (835)
• United States
19 Feb 09
Thank you Patrika952 for your detailed response. I will let my significant other review this when he gets home from work.
• United States
20 Feb 09
I would just like to add one more thing. The website I listed above is, in my opinion, a great site for beginners, not really there for the advanced hobbyist. And since a Burm is DEFINATELY not a beginners species, I would like to offer these other forum sites as a source of help to you. www.constrictors.com and www.reptileforums.com are a couple of sites that attract more serious reptile hobbyists, and therefore would probably offer you a wider range of help. Fair warning, please do not be put off if you are bombarded with questions about your husbandry practices, and answer honestly if you are. Being truthful about all aspects of your care is the quickest way to recovery for your snake. Good luck, I hope all turns out well.
@jands1 (835)
• United States
20 Feb 09
Thank you again Patrika952. With my significant other gone most of the day, Bump is left to my care. Honestly, I think exotic snakes should be left in the wild. I think most exotic/wild animals should be left alone. But, he has her and so be it. :)
@swaugh10 (15)
• United States
29 Jul 09
I have had two Burms. They do go through a spell up to 4 months not eating. As long as she (he?) is drinking and acting normal, I wouldn't worry much. If its been a really long time, try bumping up the cage temp to around 80 for a few days. The heat should put her in a more spunky mood. If you recently changed the cage, changed the cage location, or handled her more than normal, that can cause a diet change to. If she goes more than 3 months, you will need to pinky press (or force feed with tongs) and force feed her. Hope it goes well!
@jands1 (835)
• United States
8 Nov 09
Wow. Thanks for all the info. Turns out she was going through a couple of growth spurts. Once done shedding her skin, a few weeks later she would shed another skin. A total of 6 in rapid succession! She is back on track with her growth rate and is eating normally again I am happy to say.