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Irregular feeding behavior

kalel5011

kalel5011

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Hey team, I have a (female?) albino western, named Sunny. She is not eating regularly. In all my years of snake keeping, never had this problem. She's VERY active. She shed back at the beginning of August. I'm curious if I should try to force feed or continue offering and if she doesn't eat, just try again the next week?
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Force feeding should only be used as a last resort. A snake that eats even occasionally is not a candidate for force feeding, in my opinion. Even if temps and other husbandry is OK, some snakes go off feed occasionally, particularly male hognose. In my experience, females are much more aggressive feeders.
I would suggest that you ensure a hot spot of around 90f, and continue offering food. You might also double check the gender.
 
Herpin Man said:
Force feeding should only be used as a last resort. A snake that eats even occasionally is not a candidate for force feeding, in my opinion. Even if temps and other husbandry is OK, some snakes go off feed occasionally, particularly male hognose. In my experience, females are much more aggressive feeders.
I would suggest that you ensure a hot spot of around 90f, and continue offering food. You might also double check the gender.
Click to expand...
Do you mind offering suggestions for how to check sex? Should I research how to do it or take to a vet?

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Can you post pics of the tail, that is the easiest way to sex a western hognose. Do you know "her" age, sorry if I missed it.

Just to reiterate, DON'T FORCE FEED, please.
 
Western hogs are easy to sex. The mail has a long, thick tail when viewed from the underside. Post clear photos of the underside of the tail, straightened out, and somebody here should be able to tell you.
 
I would offer every week. This may be seasonal, and you want to be able to put weight back on him when his appetite is strong.
 
Definitely a male, males will sometimes go weeks without feeding. In any case, force feeding should be a last resort. Before force feeding I would try, tease feeding, live, f/t scented with tuna, if all of that fails, toad scented mice will typically get any hog to eat. If that doesn't work, a f/t amphibian would be my next choice. I've had a female go 5 months before, then she decided she was going to eat. I continued to offer every week to no avail, then one day she decided she was going to eat. If he doesn't eat before too much longer send me a pm, we can discuss options.
 
Beyond GenetiX said:
Definitely a male, males will sometimes go weeks without feeding. In any case, force feeding should be a last resort. Before force feeding I would try, tease feeding, live, f/t scented with tuna, if all of that fails, toad scented mice will typically get any hog to eat. If that doesn't work, a f/t amphibian would be my next choice. I've had a female go 5 months before, then she decided she was going to eat. I continued to offer every week to no avail, then one day she decided she was going to eat. If he doesn't eat before too much longer send me a pm, we can discuss options.
Click to expand...
Ok, thanks. I will. It's already been two, maybe three weeks since he last ate.

I don't have access to live fuzzies in my small Illinois town. And not experienced in scenting but I'll look for f/t toads.

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