Asking for advice. (Bitis atropos doesn't eat).

I have a sub-adult Bitis atropos. Probably WC. She doesnt want to eat at all. I tried everything. I do forsfeed her now with small babymice. On wich she is doing well. I tried to feet her with almost everything, but without succes. She doesn't want to bite at all. Even not after teasing/provocating her. Can anyone give me some advice about how to get this snake eating?

He Andre

what is the locality you have ? Pics ? Male or female ?

Give me some additional input and I might be able to help you out. Did you buy it recently in Hamm ?

Best regards
Marco

I dont know the locality. It is a female. Have no photos at this moment but can take them tomorrow. I dont think that is is ill. Its reactions are good.

Hi Andre

Have you tried any frogs at all? Do you have access to frogs?
It is sometimes a good way to swing the WC ones to feed.

Thanks for your advice Sean. Its difficult to get frogs here in Holland, but I'll try it. Maby other people have some more succestions.

sure, it may be worth a shot, particularly if the atropos is from the Western cape, it works well.
If you have a pic, i am sure we will be able to determine an approximate locality.

Locality is most important for me to decide what to do. Probem with frogs is that they are often contaminated with parasites, so I am not very happy with the idea of using frogs as food items..... sorry. Just my personal opinion and experience.

Andre, write me a mail : marcobuegel@hotmail.com

I have had some similar cases in the past with 1-2 localities of atropos but I have managed it to get all of those to eat in their own. There are a few things you need to know, and then it should work (as long as the atropos is a healthy one).

But please NEVER, NEVER buy a WC atropos if you do not know the exact locality. Unfortunately most of the WC animaly die here a few weeks or months after arrival... :-((

Best whishes

Marco

Yes of course locality is important, but my point was, if its a Western cape atropos, the use of frogs to get it to eat, might be the difference between losing, or not losing the animal.
I guess i am biased, being based in the Western Cape, where we have plenty access to Afrana frogs, and they have been used to swing many a non-eater. With Afrana, there is very little parasite load at all, and usually after a few months the snake can be coaxed to take mice.

Andre how is the girl doing? Has she eaten yet?

The Bitis atropos is not eating yet. I spoke with the Breeder, and he told me that she had eaten before. After 'tease feeding'. I have giving her a larger encloser, near the window. Maby it will help!?

If an a atropos eats, then it won't make any further problems concernig food. So I do not know the ''breeder'' and if it's a real CB or not, but who ever it is, I think he's not telling you whole ''story'' or some of your parameters in the cage are wrong - everything else does not make too many sense to me.

I have sent you a PM some weeks ago and was trying to help you out a little bit. Unfortunately I did not even get a response....maybe you dont like my suggestion or you did not see my Message, I don't know - but my experiences with little adders proofed that it works very well for ''problem'' Dwarf Adders and babies.

Would be a shame not to try it and let the snakes die instead....... just my two cents.

If you don't want the snake any longer, bring it to Hamm Show I will take it.

Best whishes and again good luck with it !

Cheers
Marco

Marco Buegel wrote:: I have sent you a PM some weeks ago and was trying to help you out a little bit. Unfortunately I did not even get a response....maybe you dont like my suggestion or you did not see my Message, I don't know - but my experiences with little adders proofed that it works very well for ''problem'' Dwarf Adders and babies.

Well Marco,

why dont you post your tips openly here? it would be great for others to share your experiences without the need of PM...
An Forum like VenomLand lives from people sharing informations!

cheers
Mario

Hi.

Its unlikely that your snake's preference to prey is causing the problem. Any berg if hungry enough will take mice.

It is in all probability dehidrated. Give it access to as much water as it wants to drink and make sure it has access to fresh air. I have observed and studied many B. atropos in the wild and in captive collections over the years and sex should have little or no influence on your problem.

All bergadder locality animals requirre more water than your average small adder species so locality should play a small if not negligible role.

Unless the snake is under weight then I would refrain from flushing it for protozoa and or macro parasites now. Respiratory issues are usually good indicators of poor husbandry so that might requirre revision.
Give the snake a cool side of 23 degrees and a hot spot of 32 degrees.
If the snake's condition (weight and tongue flicker) seems ok then I would stop forcefeeding it.

Most important of all, get it to a vet.
Best of luck,
Marthinus Harmse

Thanks all for your advices. The snake is not ill now, as you may think. Normal tongue flicker and moving. Like my other Bitis atropos. I will give here some extra water to drink. Like my other small Bitis she drinks good. She has an encloser with different temperature spots.

Andre,

I haven't yet heard anyone advising you to get your snake screened for parasites. Any WC animal should have a fecal sample checked. I agree with the others that the lack of feeding response is probably due to an absence of the preferred food item, but parasites can suppress the appetite even if they are otherwise asymptomatic (in my experience).

Even if parasites are not causing the anorexia, they will compound any other health problem your snake has, and if it is a WC frog eater, chances are it's probably infected with something.

I hope this helps you.

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