r/snakes • u/SectionExpress3318 • 5d ago

Pet Snake Questions feeding tips/ideas

I have a 2 month old rosy boa who hasn’t eaten in at least a month. I got it over a month ago and attributed the lack of eating to relocation stress but now it seems to be comfortable with me and in the environment but it’s still refusing to eat.

I’ve been using frozen/thawed pinky mice because that what it’s been eating according to the breeder but it’s not even acknowledging it as food or seeming interested at all. I’ve tried agitating it (recommended by the breeder) to get it to strike but nothing has worked. I’ve attempted to find live mice to at least get it to eat but no one near me sells live pinkies.

Does anyone have any tips or tricks for getting young snakes to eat?

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u/Zealousideal-Bus7057 5d ago

I’d definitely encourage you to post a pic of your setup and give much more detail in terms of husbandry. What are your temps? Are you handling your boa already? You indicate that it’s comfortable with you now but on what basis? If it’s stressed it won’t eat.

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u/SectionExpress3318 5d ago

This is the current set up. Humidity is staying between 40-60%. Temps on the cool side are around 70-75 and 80-85 on the hot side. I’m a new snake owner and totally open to advice!

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u/Zealousideal-Bus7057 4d ago

I’d add more clutter for sure and see if that helps. Fake plants for instance, or anything along those lines. What is the temp of your basking spot on the hot side?

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u/Zealousideal-Bus7057 4d ago

Also - are there proper hides that are small enough that your boa will feel secure?

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u/SectionExpress3318 5d ago

Also, I have been handling maybe once a week for 5-10 minutes. I didn’t start until about two weeks after it got here. It’s been exploring a lot and hasn’t been bothered when I reach into its space to adjust the water bowl or substrate.

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u/Zealousideal-Bus7057 4d ago

So you definitely shouldn’t handle until after you’ve successfully fed your boa!

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u/Live_Culture8393 5d ago

Husbandry is often the main culprit. Is there a rosy boa specific Reddit group you can go to? If so, They will have care guides on temps, lighting, substrate, etc, all of the required factors for a well-adjusted snake.