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W.C. adult edb's
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by Wollers on August 24, 2003
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What is the reason adult wild-caught edb's seem to feed well at first and then go off feeding after a few months in captivity? I have a 4.5' female who has done just exactly that. I'm going to most likely set her free and end up buying a c.b. 03. Anyways, she's a beautiful snake that has been thriving as a captive up til recently.
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RE: W.C. adult edb's
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by TomT on August 24, 2003
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Is she gravid?
I don't know about wild caught EDBs, but the captive bred pair I had seemed to HATE having their cage furnishings messed with... if I moved the location of the hide box while cleaning and didn't put it back where it was before I cleaned the cage, I could count on a skipped feeding...
Also, mine seemed to feed like gangbusters until they got to 4-5 ft. and then they slowed down appreciably... I fed them one time every 5-6 weeks, vs once every 7-10 days as juveniles. I'd give her a little more time and try a few tricks like mixing up the prey you offer her. I've head that they can get hooked on rabbits and refuse all else in some cases...
Your decision to get captive bred animals is sound.
TomT
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Pertinent questions
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by Chris_Harper on August 24, 2003
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How long have you had her?
Is there a possibility she's pregnant?
Does she look healthy, or is she skinny w/ loose skin?
Do you ever soak her in a large rubbermaid with about a foot of clean water?
Does her cage have a lot of foot traffic near it?
How large is her cage? Larger than her?
What temps do you keep her at? 76 - 82F ?
Have you fed her any large meals - like a rabbit- within the last 4 weeks?
All of these things can cause an adult EDB to go off feed. Put her in a DARK box, stick her off in a corner somewhere where there is NO traffic for a couple of weeks. Provide clean water and that's it. Then one day, sneak in there quietly and drop a pre-killed WARMED medium to large rat in with her. Check on the prey item about 8 hours later. If it's still there, take her back to where you found her and let her go. You also might want to MAKE sure she isn't pregnant before you do that.
You may find some useful information here:
http://www.venomousreptiles.org/libraries/Care%20Sheets
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RE: W.C. adult edb's
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by Wollers on August 25, 2003
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My question was regarding wild-caught EDB's in general not specifically my snake. I know its well documented that they make poor captives, but why will they just go off feeding after 3 or 4 months in captivity? As far as my snake goes...she feeds on as well as refuses med. rats and sm. rabbits. Her last successful feeding was 5 weeks ago, her longest non-feeding period so far. She has a complete rattle of 8-9 including the prebutton and has shed twice in the 5 months I've had her, so I figure she is fairly young and still growing. I'm confident she is not gravid in any case. thanks
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RE: W.C. adult edb's
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by Chris_Harper on August 25, 2003
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The answer is that they don't all go off feed after 3 or 4 months. My large, CB'93 EDB quit eating for 6 weeks in the middle of the summer once. I kept him hydrated and he finally started back on his own.
If she looks basically healthy, just soak her in clean room temp water for about 3 hours once a week. She will drink the water and absorb it as well. Keep in mind though, after she has had her fill of water, she will probably poop in it. So periodically peek in to see if she's done that, and change out the water if she does. When you remove her from the water, put her in a warm (80F), dark place. The day after you have hydrated her, offer her a prey item.
Reasoning? Sometimes, they don't drink very well from water bowls and get a little dehydrated. Since it takes water to digest prey, they won't eat or poop until they have access to clean water. I've never seen a snake that wouldn't drink if left soaking in room temp water for 3 hours. It also causes them to poop. How many times have you found poop in a snake's water bowl? Plenty I'd bet! EDB's do fine soaking in 12 inches of water because they are bouyant, and if they get tired they rest their head on their coils, or against the wall of the container.
With other species and small specimens you need to use shallower water. Neonates get soaked in water about 1/8th inch deep.
~CH
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RE: W.C. adult edb's
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by Wollers on August 25, 2003
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Chris, she has always appeared a little on the thin side, but I attribute that to the fact she is still young and growing and has not filled out yet. She does not have any loose skin folds or anything and in fact can look absolutely huge when she puts herself into a defensive posture and inflates herself. I've never soaked her but will try it. This snake has always passed her food in a weeks time from feeding and has not been a problem. Being the middle of summer, I do wonder if the temp. that has crept up a bit might be the problem. One thing of interest...I'll never forget the day after I caught her, before I had her cage set up, I offered her a full (cereal size) bowl of water and in my presence just about drank it dry! Since then I rarely ever see her drink, even after feeding. Again, thanks for your help Chris.
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RE: W.C. adult edb's
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by Wollers on September 1, 2003
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Quick update. My EDB fed on a rat today, so all is good for now. Like Tom's snakes, mine can be counted on skiping a feeding when I mess with her hide spot while cleaning.
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