Kenyan Sand Boa not Eating

Snakes exotic to South Africa commonly known as non-venomous.

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Kenyan Sand Boa not Eating

Postby AdP » Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:25 am

Hello

I posted a while ago about Aubrey, my baby KSB and his substrate.
That problem is sorted out now, but there's a new issue.

He hasn't eaten at all since I got him in July. He usually kills the pinkys, but then just leaves them.
I've heard that I should cut the pinky open at the head, but I just can't do that to the poor little thing.
Will buying him crickets work?
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Re: Kenyan Sand Boa not Eating

Postby gekosin » Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:47 am

If you have a prekilled (frozen thawed) pinky you can lightly squeeze its head till you see juices come out of the nose. I have not had a sand boa before but "braining" the pinky in this way has generally caused the snake to take the prey item. Good Luck though... I would also recommend trying to get the snake onto frozen/thawed prey as soon as possible.
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Re: Kenyan Sand Boa not Eating

Postby JJward7 » Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:58 am

I had exactly the same problem with one of my KSB and what I found works is if you place the sand boa in a paper bag in a dark warm place with the pinkie over night they usually take it. My KSB would only eat that way for the first 3 months I had him.
Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps. All the best. Keep us updated please.
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Re: Kenyan Sand Boa not Eating

Postby reptile » Mon Sep 08, 2014 12:09 pm

No crickets! Never ever. I second JJward7.
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Re: Kenyan Sand Boa not Eating

Postby Mitton » Mon Sep 08, 2014 12:16 pm

Give us more info on your setup, temperature and what you use for heat, substrate and size of enclosure.

Sounds like he is hungry but might not have enough heat so won't eat.
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Re: Kenyan Sand Boa not Eating

Postby AdP » Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:22 pm

Thanks for all the replies. I've tried putting him in a container in the dark for a day or two and still he wouldn't eat.
His enclosure is quite big. 120cm long case with glass sliding doors, coarse sand, heat lamp, temperature average 27, moisture box and smallish water bowl.
Maybe I didn't do the isolation option correctly.
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Re: Kenyan Sand Boa not Eating

Postby Joshhowell94 » Tue Sep 09, 2014 1:01 am

Hey man:) I think your enclosure is way too big for a KSB, I had mine in a 40 by 30 and he wouldn't eat, he wouldn't eat even if placed him in a small container for 12 hours. I then moved him over into a tub about the size of an ice cream container and after a few days of being in there he ate. He hasn't missed a meal yet. So as soon as you can try move him into a smaller enclosure, he should then start eating. With isolation, place the container/paper bag in a dark, warm and quiet place, leave him there for the evening, make sure he has breathing holes. And the next morning you should have a fat snake:) I hope that it all comes right:)
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