Just not hungry?

[chris-uk]

Hello my name is Mr Blackneck. I'm an anorexic. It's been 84 days since my last meal....

[d_virginiana]

Step one. Admit you have a problem.

Please explain? I don't think a 12 step will get him to eat.

lol He's with me for a few weeks. They don't have access to a vet that can/will do anything for reptiles if it comes to that,. He seems to be settling in well, and is out lounging on top of his hide and plants every time I walk by.

He's too active for this to be a winter-related slow down IMO... In fact very active. I'm wondering if this may be spring-time related.

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks for the clarification. Hope the change of venue will spark a feeding response.

[d_virginiana]

I think it will. I just got back from trying to feed him; left the pinkie and a worm just in case. He actually chased the pinkie around the enclosure a little bit today, and even bit at it once. I'm thinking he'll eat within a day or two.

After seeing his reactions when I go in his tub before handling and after handling Harley, I'm pretty sure he's been in mating mode, especially with the female in the tank with him all the time like she was. He seems to be calming down a little bit though. I'll be sure to try and feed him before I go around her tomorrow.

[d_virginiana]

Noticed something tonight. Since I got him, he's been rubbing his face all over the enclosure against the walls/hides/floor. At first I figured it was because he was about to shed, but he's still doing it quite a lot even after the shed.
Haven't seen any signs of mites or anything, so it's probably stress related. I have three sides of the enclosure covered... May wait two days or so without even going in there to see if it calms him down some more.

Anyway, I've decided that if he gets much thinner (he still looks healthy for now, just a little on the skinny side) I may try a quick brumation. Only if it's absolutely necessary though. I remember a thread about someone trying this for non-eating babies with success... Any advice on how to do it? I've never brumated one for short or long term before, so any details about how to do it would be great.

[EKS56]

"Noticed something tonight. Since I got him, he's been rubbing his face all over the enclosure against the walls/hides/floor."

He's been doing that all along.

[guidofatherof5]

I think I would give him some prolonged shed box time, keeping the water warm and the humidity high. 6 hours at a time would be good.
After that time I would see if you can get any shed off his mouth/lip area. Start at the corner of the mouth. If there is any retained shed it should start easily there.
Just an idea.

If a brumation is going to be done here's a video I did on preparations.
Hope it helps.

[d_virginiana]

Since he hasn't been eating for awhile I made sure to check the shed. I don't think anything's been retained, but it couldn't hurt to put him in a shed box for a little while just in case.

Thanks for the link, hopefully he eats before I have to try that.

[EKS56]

Thank Goodness!!!

Almost four months to the day my little male Blackneck ate a pinky.

I can't remember who posted this statement but it seemed to be a solid bit of info. "The snake will eventually eat, if not, there is something wrong with him and he'll die."

[Invisible Snake]

Congrats!!!!! I know that feeling of relief when a snake finally eats after a hunger strike