Scenting

[JodiLeigh]

Just bought a bunch more pinkies as I still haven't had chance to get the proper worms or any fish.

Other then worms or fish what can I scent them with? Everyday usual stuff that people would normally have in their cupboards or fridge?

[EasternGirl]

Well, the idea behind scenting is to take something that the snake is used to eating and likes to eat and to put that scent onto something the snake is not used to eating or refuses to eat. So, for example, if your snake usually eats worms but won't eat fish...you rub the worms on the fish to make the fish smell like worms so the snake will smell worms and eat the fish. Using other things in your cupboard or fridge wouldn't work...and may not be good for the snake because there are many things a snake should not eat.

[chris-uk]

I heard Tabasco works well for scenting.

JodiLeigh- just remind us, is your garter eating pinkies already? If so, you don't need to worry about scenting. I've heard of scenting pinkies with fish or worms, but not the other way round.

[JodiLeigh]

Well my brother said he was eating pinkies but that he didn't have him long enough to feed him himself also my brother is a terrible liar so I have no idea.

I have tried him with pinkies. When I show it to him he goes for it but doesn't eat it and if I leave him with it he doesn't eat it. I just want him to eat and I don't know how.

I tried scenting with tuna and he wouldn't eat it, don't even know if that's ok but he didn't even eat it anyway.

I don't think I have Tabasco, I will try this.

[gregmonsta]

Do NOT try tabasco - that was a joke comment.

[JodiLeigh]

Do NOT try tabasco - that was a joke comment.

WHAAAAT! Ok I won't PHEW! Good job I don't have any in!

Gosh I am that desperate I will try anything to make him eat.

I was taking him out of his enclosure to feed him, I had a tall box and put the heat mat under it. I have now put the pinkie in his enclosure but STILL he wont eat

It's still cold weather wise but the temp in his tank is from 23-30 so it's not because he's too cold also he has 11 hours of light a day and even at night it doesn't go lower then 25 on the warm side and not lower then 20 on the cool side.

I have had him a month today now and he is very settled and seems very happy, I don't get him out every day and not for too long but when I do he is very friendly and doesn't seem to mind at all.

[guidofatherof5]

I made up this chart on scenting. I hope it explains what I was trying to say.

[JodiLeigh]

I made up this chart on scenting. I hope it explains what I was trying to say.

ooow cool! Very helpful THANK YOU =]

I supposed it's not really a scenting issue I have really, I was just hoping that it would help but if he's not eating in the first place then it's not going to help.

I am going to call the vet and see if I can get him checked over, it wouldn't surprise me if my brother didn't take good care of him and he's gotten ill.

Is there anything else that could be making him go off his food?

[kibakiba]

Stress. How long has it been? If it's less than a month, stop worrying. They can go a long time without food. Angel went 3 months before she finally died, but she hadn't eaten much more than one pinky piece in her life.

[JodiLeigh]

Stress. How long has it been? If it's less than a month, stop worrying. They can go a long time without food. Angel went 3 months before she finally died, but she hadn't eaten much more than one pinky piece in her life.

It's been a month. DIED! I don't want him to DIE!!!! Was she a baby? So she never ate? Or did she get ill?