Cant get my Macklott to eat

Random Hero · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 20 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Ive had him for about 3 months now, and he just wont eat. Ive tried pre killed mice and rats, and even live mice and rats and he just simply wont eat. Anyone have any tips to get him to eat? The guy i bought him from said that if he wont eat in the next week or so he'd take him back for a refund, but I really dont want to get rid of this snake, hes such an awesome snake.

ZEKE · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 436

i have read on another forum that African Soft Furred Rats are good for problem feeders. maybe you could try to feeding him some.

nice looking snake by the way.

Naia · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 53

I wouldn't worry too much. Some snakes don't feed very well through the winter. The snake looks healthy and it is obviously a good eater - has enough weight on.
My carpet pythons never eat through the winter. I have some other snakes that are just not interested in food this time of the year.
Don't take it back. Give it time. It will eat when ready.
What are your day/night temperatures and humidity? Does it have hide box?
Just make sure it has always water.
Did the guy tell you what he used to feed it with? You could also try chickens or quail. But I wouldn't start offering food that is hard to get. Some snakes are crazy, they will decide that it tastes better and than you'll have headache switching them to your food.
He can easily go another 3 months.
I bet it will turn in to a feeding machine in the spring.
Good luck with him. He is very pretty.
How is his temperament?

Random Hero · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 20 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Im not exactly sure on the temp, he has a large sized heat pad, i moved him into a cage with a heat lamp to see if that would change his eating but it didnt. he has a hide box and a bowl of water 24/7. The guy didnt say anything about what he was eating, but ill see him in a few weeks to get a nice sized boa from him. At first the snake would musk on me, but that lasted a week tops. Hes tame, friendly, loves being held if he likes you. Such an awesome snake. Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated. Heres another picture of him, hes normally pretty camera friendly but took me a while to get a nice shot of his enitre body. I wanna say hes close to 4 1/2 feet.

Naia · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 53

Please get a thermometer. You need to know the exact temperature and humidity. It may be good or it may not. Some snakes will not eat if the temperature or humidity is not the way it should be.

That is cool he is nice and calm. I have seen some mean Maclots...Usually they have an attitude.

Very pretty snake!

Random Hero · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 20 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Just an update on my Macklott's. He still is not eating, his cage is at an average of 95 degrees and the lowest is around 80. He always has fresh water, and is currently shedding, his first shed since I've had him, its not a good shed, its comming of in flakes, and the last part to come off is from his head to about 6 inches down. Ive picked some loose skin off that was just dangling. Hes been acting fine, he had an air bubble under his mouth since yesterday but its now gone. The guy I bought him from is giving me a African Soft Fur Rat on the 23rd to get this fella to eat. I appreciate all the help and kindness. Tomorrow im planning on getting picutres of all my snakes up.

**t_k17603** · Moderator Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Pa

sounds like your humidity is way low, explains the shed problems as well, the humidity needs to be between 60 -70% , that could def. explain why he isn't eating,
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**pythonjosh** · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 59

When pythons don't eat rodents, feed them chicks. Could be live or F/T chicks, or it could be heated up raw chicken pieces from the store. The secret to a python's heart/stomach is some good ole Chicken.
They also need a water basin big enough to fit their entire bodies, they love the water. Mack's have some of the strongest feeding responses too.

Random Hero · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 20 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

His humidity as at 75%, heat is 95 during day 80 druing night, he lays in his water, I got one of those soft fur african rats, and he wouldnt touch it. He knows foods being offered, so im hoping he eats soon. Thank you guys so much for all the help!

robhayley · Joined: 01 Apr 2008 Posts: 3

dont have the temp over 88 for an long period. if too hot he wont eat.

Random Hero · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 20 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

I finally got one of the soft fur rats, I tried feeding him it live, no luck, the rat died in his cage after a day, no bite marks or anything. Tried feeding it to him dead several different times, no bite. Im not too concerend, he knows food is being offered, so if he were starving he would of gotten it by now. I might try a large fuzzy or something. Ill keep you guys updated, thanks for the help.

Random Hero · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 20 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Finally I got him to eat. He hate a XL mouse. For a while he would just bite the mouse then leave it, and id check on him and he would be in the corner coiled up. then id try it again and he would strike the tongs, and finally he bit then constricted. Thanks alot to those who helped during the time he didnt eat.

ZEKE · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 436

yay!! thats fantastic news!! hopefully he will keep it up.

keep us informed about how he does.