Hi all, I dont know what I would do without this site.

I expereinced feeding problems with my redtail for the first time. He is about six feet and I feed him thawed frozen rats. He just finished a shedding cycle. So I thought he would be starving. I gave him about two days after he shed to feed him, and when I offered him the food he didnt take it. He kept backing up. I couldnt figure it out. I just threw the rat away and put him back in his enclosure. What could be wrong?

I have heard before that if snakes know if something is wrong with a rat they wont eat it. Is this a myth or a possibility? Also, we have been experiencing colder weather lately. Is this a factor? I keep his encloser well heated, so I doubt that he went into some kind of winter cycle and now doesnt want to eat.

He has always been a good eater. What could be wrong? Should I take him to the vet? Or maybe just give him a few more days and try feeding him again? I would really appreciate the advice, Im worried. Thank you all so much and I hope everyone had a good weekend. Take care, Fiddler

Hello,

I would personally wait a few days and try again. I myself don't keep any red tail boa's, but if they do slow down during the winter, he may be feeling the barometric pressure change.

In a few days try again and just make sure the rat is well thawed. Keep us posted!

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.:: Rich ::.

+ Spread The Info

Could have just not been particularly hungry at the time. Could have been the weather. As for them sensing somethng is wrong with the rat, if you stop and think about the predator prey relationship in the wild it is the sick and infirm that are caught and eaten first. If the rat was rotten you would have smelled it!

My common boa just ocassionally decides she doesn't want to eat. I simply wait till the next feeding day a week later and try again. She hasn't skipped more than one. Skipping a feeding or two is no big deal to them.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I totally agree with what's said. Sometimes they just don't feel in the mood to eat. Be it the time of the year or maybe he's thinking "oh great rats again"
Much too early to worry.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

Snake just some times don't want to eat my boa just finsihed her shed and decided she didn't want anything either I will try her tonight and she will probally take it.Just give her a few days and try again.

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Live for today Not tomorrow.

Ok thanks guys. I will give him another week and then try again. I really appreciate it. Take care, Fiddler

my rosy boa just started feeding again after being off of food for about 6 months. he did it last year as well during the winter so it very well may be the weather. i know you're talking about a redtail but some snakes will go off of food for the winter. i too would wait a little longer then see if he'll eat. snakes can go a good while without eating as i've realized lol. good luck.

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yes i am a she ^_^

~My Babies~

1 Rosy Boa (male) Chaos
1 Snow Corn (male) Blizzard
1 Anertherystic Corn (male) Bullet
1 Senegal Parrot (male) Shadow
2 dogs (male) Spot and Bear

I may have attempted to leave the rat in there with him for a while first....he sounds like he was spooked by something....and maybe a little privacy would have given him a chance to feed???? Good luck next week feeding...let us know how it goes....

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Warmest Regards from Lyn

My common just did the same thing refused to eat after her shed, this is the first shed for us so we didn't know what to expect. She communicated that she was hungry when she started nosing the screen top on her cage. Luckily I have 6 top latches on it.

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Colleen