African house snake help??

Got a new "charity case" in today.....an approximately 1 1/2 to 2 year old African House Snake. He's dehydrated, has several layers of stuck shed, and hasn't eaten in months. I asked the lady what he was eating for her before he stopped eating.......and she said it had been so long, she couldn't even remember.

Anyway, I read the stickied caresheet and got some good info, but for the life of me, I didn't see a recommended temp to keep them at, or what kind of humidity? (It's WAY past my bedtime, if I just missed it forgive me) I've got him in a rack, with a hot spot temp of about 85. I figure I'll let him thaw out, and give him a good soak tonight and see if I can get some of the stuck shed off, and go from there.

Any good house snake tips to share??

I have a pair that I keep under the same conditions as my North American colubrids (corns, kings, rats): low to mid 80s for the warm side, mid 70s for the cool side, and humidity in the 40s or so. From what I've read, they need a humidity boost at shed time. Mine are young, and in smaller containers, so I haven't had to mist or anything at shed time. Mine are doing very well under these conditions. They are enthusiastic f/t rodent feeders. Good luck.

Thanks! He's sitting back over the hot spot still now, so he must be enjoying the warmer temps here. Hopefully that in itself will be enough to get him eating again. Well, that and getting all of the stuck-on shed off.

I asked the lady what he was eating for her before he stopped eating.......and she said it had been so long, she couldn't even remember.

Ouch. Unbelievable!

Hey Cat, Dean (Roy) is right on. I keep mine just like my corns.
Let us know if he feeds.

Well, soaked him a couple of times now and I got most of the stuck shed off, except for some just behind his head, he's having NO part in me messing around there. He's been really well-tempered otherwise. The even better news......after months of not eating, I tried feeding him on Thursday, and he ate 2 f/t mouse pinks without hesitation!

It's amazing what a little proper husbandry will do.

Do house snakes go off feed this time of year. I have a male that has eaten awesome for the last year until about a month ago and he won't touch anything now. It has been very cold up this way.

Originally Posted by Cat_72

Well, soaked him a couple of times now and I got most of the stuck shed off, except for some just behind his head, he's having NO part in me messing around there. He's been really well-tempered otherwise. The even better news......after months of not eating, I tried feeding him on Thursday, and he ate 2 f/t mouse pinks without hesitation!

It's amazing what a little proper husbandry will do.

That’s great! Do you know which species you have?

Originally Posted by Otter_23

Do house snakes go off feed this time of year. I have a male that has eaten awesome for the last year until about a month ago and he won't touch anything now. It has been very cold up this way.

Mine are feeding voraciously as usual but I don’t have a winter such as yours.

No..haven't been able to find a whole lot on them. To tell you the truth, I hadn't even really looked at these guys much before...but he's actually a rather handsome guy. A pretty rusty brown color, fading into a pretty ivory belly. I'll have to see if I can get some decent pics of him tomorrow....

Originally Posted by Cat_72

No..haven't been able to find a whole lot on them. To tell you the truth, I hadn't even really looked at these guys much before...but he's actually a rather handsome guy. A pretty rusty brown color, fading into a pretty ivory belly. I'll have to see if I can get some decent pics of him tomorrow....

Like this? This one is mine.





Here is a helpful link with pictures.
http://www.saltwaterreptiles.com/ind...iewtopic&t=334