New baby retic. Need skme hell with feeding....

[ReticMan123]

Hey all. My name is mike I purchaces Rex in August. He's 3.5 ft and 250 grams. Since I had him he has consumed 5 live mice. A week ago I fed him his first f/t rat. The rat was 60 grams so quite a large meal. Week later fully digested and ready for more. So I got another rat. Little bigger then before. I thawed it out and offered it to him with gloves and even tried tongs. I dangle it in from of his face for a minute then I gently tap him with it. He usually just runs or hides from it. Could it be he's not hungry? Does he not want dead food? There had to be a solution maybe I am offering it the wrong way. Advice greatly appreciated. Thank you😜

[bigsnakegirl785]

You've had him since August and he's only eaten 5 mice? The rat is 24% of his weight, that's a really big meal. Try stepping it down a little, it may just be too big for him, and he's still full from the last one. I hear either 15-20% or 10-15% of body weight is a good rule for a baby retic.

[dave himself]

You've had him since August and he's only eaten 5 mice? The rat is 24% of his weight, that's a really big meal. Try stepping it down a little, it may just be too big for him, and he's still full from the last one. I hear either 15-20% or 10-15% of body weight is a good rule for a baby retic.

^^^^^^^^^^^ this :)

[ReticMan123]

Yes he wasn't a good water at first. Plus he went into she quickly. I will try again tonight and every other night until he takes it. He looks like he may be started shed already. Didn't know they refuse so early in the cycle.

[dave himself]

Yes he wasn't a good water at first. Plus he went into she quickly. I will try again tonight and every other night until he takes it. He looks like he may be started shed already. Didn't know they refuse so early in the cycle.

It's just my opinion mate, but I would only try him with food every 7 days with food. You could end up just stressing him out which could lead to more problems for you

[millertime89]

It's just my opinion mate, but I would only try him with food every 7 days with food. You could end up just stressing him out which could lead to more problems for you

Agreed. Although I don't think the meal is too big, I wouldn't feed that size all that frequently. If you want to feed that big do so every 10-14 days. 20% or under is ok for weekly feedings.

[ReticMan123]

Thanks all. He's in shed now. The last meal was that small rat still. I'm worried. I have a frozen small rat as wel. Once he sheds I will dethaw in hot water for 20 mins. Dry off then hold the head under a heat lamp for a minute. Then offer it to my snake wil tongs. I just wiggle it in front of him or even gently tap his nose with it? Is that the correct method of feeding f/t? Thanks again
Mike

[ReticMan123]

Here he is

[millertime89]

I don't even bother to dry them off, but yes, that's correct.