Tiger Ratsnake Finally Ate!!!!!

[SWDK]

Well, it's been 6 long weeks since I received my Tiger Ratsnake from Exotic Pets Las Vegas. I was told it ate frozen small rats without any issues, but I'm skeptical about that. I've tried every size & shape mouse or rats and even chicks with no interest at all.

Today he finally ate for me and I'm so happy. Since it list some weight, I decided to get a live crawler mouse to see if it sparked some interest. After being a bit shy he starred hunting and ate the crawler in seemingly one bite. Boy was I relieved it ate something, although I wasn't thrilled about it being live. I also tossed in a frozen jumbo mouse and it took that down as well. I'm hoping now it will eat frozen from this point on.

[Minkness]

Yayyyy! Congrats!

[EL Ziggy]

That's awesome Dave. The hunger almost always wins in the end. Sometimes a small live feeder is exactly what it takes to kick start their appetite. Good idea following up with a f/t prey item too. I hope he stays consistent for you.

[SWDK]

That's awesome Dave. The hunger almost always wins in the end. Sometimes a small live feeder is exactly what it takes to kick start their appetite. Good idea following up with a f/t prey item too. I hope he stays consistent for you.

Thanks! Figured while it was in feed mode it was my best shot at getting it to take frozen. I'll keep at it like usual and eventually it should take frozen no problem. Might take a few more live feeder jumpstart attempts, but at least I know it works.

[Jim Smith]

I know how it feels when they go off their food for no apparent reason. I'm glad you got him going again and hopefully he'll get into a regular rhythm of taking F/T whenever they're offered.

[Tsubaki]

Congrats! One of the best feelings in the world when that one pesky eater decides to chow down :D

[dave himself]

Congratulations Dave and maybe when he's on a regular feeding schedule could we have some pics please ;)

[SWDK]

I'll get some pics up after a few more meals. She's looking a bit thin at the moment and I'd rather show off a healthier looking snake.

[dave himself]

I'll get some pics up after a few more meals. She's looking a bit thin at the moment and I'd rather show off a healthier looking snake.

Totally understand where your coming from Dave :)

[macandchz]

you are so lucky she'll eat frozen. still trying to convert mac.

[SWDK]

you are so lucky she'll eat frozen. still trying to convert mac.

I'm not getting my hope up too high yet as this was the first time he ate for me. We will see how he does next feeding. I'm keeping positive thoughts until then.

[SWDK]

Snapped a quick pic today bc I had to spot clean. He didn't like me or the camera and hid his head. He shed 5 days ago so he's pretty fresh looking. The flash makes him look a little more glossy than normal.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r254/hiker4twenty/Snakes/705266D4-816A-4132-822D-5A129406394E.jpg (http://s146.photobucket.com/user/hiker4twenty/media/Snakes/705266D4-816A-4132-822D-5A129406394E.jpg.html)

[Minkness]

Wow, he's beautiful! =D

[dave himself]

I'm with Mink he a beauty Dave

[Tsubaki]

Good looking snake! Hope he keeps eating from now on!

[sirtalis]

Stunning, These have got to be one of my favorite colubrids

[SWDK]

Thanks everyone. I can't wait until he's eating regularly and at a healthier weight. He's not too skinny, but I can definitely tell he lost some weight since he was shipped in.

[Roman]

Great news, Dave!

I got my female also to eat after 6 weeks. In my case wiggling a frozen mouse in front of her nose for some time finally did the trick, she did bite it and after the third bite she actually grabbed the mouse and ate it. Right after eating the mouse she also ate two day old chickens. Two weeks later the same procedure did work again. I suppose in another few weeks I will not need to agitate her before she will start to eat, but for now this is fine by me.

Roman

[Joshchimera]

I took a picture of one this past Sunday. Congrats on getting it eating! Nice black on this one!

[SWDK]

Great news, Dave!

I got my female also to eat after 6 weeks. In my case wiggling a frozen mouse in front of her nose for some time finally did the trick, she did bite it and after the third bite she actually grabbed the mouse and ate it. Right after eating the mouse she also ate two day old chickens. Two weeks later the same procedure did work again. I suppose in another few weeks I will not need to agitate her before she will start to eat, but for now this is fine by me.

Roman


Thanks Roman, I'm super excited that he finally ate. I tried the wiggling tactic and he either runs away or hides did head so I figured it stresses him out. I'm going to feed again in 2 days so we will see how it goes. I'll keep you posts as I've dubbed you my mentor with Spilotes and Gonyosoma. Hope you're ok with that.

[SWDK]

He ate again tonight. I only went with frozen to see how it would go over. I left a large rat fuzzy and and adult mouse in the enclosure. Checked 30 minutes later and they were gone. Hopefully it will eat without any issues from now on.

[SWDK]

He's in the blue now and will be shedding again soon. This shed came about pretty quickly since the previous one. It's been 27 days since the last shed Guess maybe because he's eating better and grew a bit.

[Albert Clark]

Grats SW! You know you are on point once they start feeding. Nice job.

[SWDK]

My Tiger rat seems to be a regular eating machine now. He ate his first chick last night, which was his most substantial meal yet. He's been eating every 7 days on the regular now and all frozen thawed meals. I can tell he's put back some of the weight he lost since I first got him. He also looks quite dull so I'm thinking a shed is in the near future.

[dave himself]

Come on Dave you know the deal where's the pics mate :D

[JellyBean]

I'm so thrilled for you!
And I have to side with the other Dave on this one... "Where's the pics mate?"

[Roman]

Hi Dave,

if they got the hang of it, Spilotes is an eager eater. My new female is eating regularly now, the new male was hesitant eating, but today I started with something small for his size. He ate a mouse, followed by a chicken and finally a medium sized rat.

It's good to know that your snake is doing well.

Roman

[SWDK]

Come on Dave you know the deal where's the pics mate :D

I'm so thrilled for you!
And I have to side with the other Dave on this one... "Where's the pics mate?"

I'll be sure to get some more pics up. I didn't want to disturb him after eating.

[SWDK]

Hi Dave,

if they got the hang of it, Spilotes is an eager eater. My new female is eating regularly now, the new male was hesitant eating, but today I started with something small for his size. He ate a mouse, followed by a chicken and finally a medium sized rat.

It's good to know that your snake is doing well.

Roman

Thanks Roman! I'm happy to hear your new ones are eating as well. I'll be switching him to small size rats after the next few feedings and a shed.

[dave himself]

I'll be sure to get some more pics up. I didn't want to disturb him after eating.

Good man Dave ;)