Kenyan Sand Boa

Hey Guys, Need some advice.

The pet shop I do business with has a Kenyan Sand Boa, maybe 6-8 inches long that hasn't eaten since they got it in 2 months ago. They've tried a number of things to get it to eat, live pinkies, crickets, etc with no luck. It just shed last week, but I doubt that's been the issue.

I think the little guy is stressed out. Every time I go in there, its on top of the sand, not buried in it. And its cage is, well, a display cage. I think the people walking by may be part of the problem. I offered to bring it home and stick it in the back of the snake closet, where there is nothing to disturb it, unless I'm in there checking water or cleaning/feeding.

The owner was out of town for the weekend, but they're going to talk to him about it on Monday. If they do let me bring it home, is there anything I should try? After letting it acclimate for a couple weeks that is

Get the heat right and then what worked for me is I used aspen as a substrate and put 2 live pinkies, covered up so it was completely dark and left it over night. Aspen worked better for me than sand. Also make sure it has water to drink and try dipping it's head a little in some water to make sure it is hydrated then do the above.

All of my Kenyans have different feeding habits. Here are some things you can try.

1. Try feeding in a seperate container and leave the pinky wet. Sometimes it seems they try to get a sip of water from the wet pink and end up eating it.

2. Try washing the pinky with a mild detergent (Dawn), rinse thoroughly and then offer it. I read in a book that some snakes fear the smell of domestic mice.

3. As a last ditch effort. You can try scenting the pinky with tuna water. Drain the water off a can of tuna drop the pink in it, dry it off and offer it.

Do not feed the Kenyan on the sand. This will make a mess and cause unnecessary sand digestion. Switch to shredded aspen. They love to burrow through it and they thrive in it.

My male goes through "no eating" stages...he doesnt eat for a few months...

my female always eats...

also..use ASPEN!