Bit by the arboreal bug again

[adam2373]

Today I just put down a small payment on a Orange Phase ATB. Money was a little tight but had enough to hold him till the end of the week. The store just received them a few days ago but haven't eaten for them yet. The owner said he would not let it go home with me until it's had at least 2 meals. I know thats not much but I've been dealing with this guy for over 10 years now and I think I can trust him. He did mention that they are "overnight eaters". Anyone else have this experience with baby ATBs? I know it sounds fishy but like I said I've been dealing with this guy a long time and he has not let me down yet.

[JonD]

Why wouldn't you trust him, he's doing the responsible thing and it sounds like he cares about his animals. Some dealers wouldn't care if they ate or not.;) I do have a amazon that has to have his food left overnight....It is possible

[thunder]

he said he did trust him, i think you just read the post wrong. i dont keep arboreals, but alot of my snakes eat more consistantly when left alone with their prey for a few hours, or overnight. its just because they feel more comfortable eating when you're not watching. also, if atbs are like etbs, they are nocturnal, so they'd be more likely to eat at night anyway.

[adam2373]

Just a little concerned because I've been told that ATBs are easier to care for then ETBs or GTPs. Of which both I have and both eat dead prey off of tongs with the lights on. The guy I deal with has been dealing with reptiles for 50+ years and is quite often authorized by vets in this area to do treatments on snakes where normally you need to go to a vet. Great guy but he mainly deals with terestrial snakes. He just recently just got in 4 Garden phase and 2 Orange phase. The 2 orange phase are on hold for me to see which one fairs the best.
Been reading around alot and it says to offer them anoles for the first 3 feeds in a new environment? Has anyone experienced this?
I've been dealing with the dificult snakes for a while now I forget how to take care of the easy ones, lol.

[ATBlover]

my ATB eats with the lights off....also they are fussy because when i feed him...and then if i touch his tank or close the lid..and make the smallest vibration he will drop the mouse and not eat so alot of them eat like that...Connor

[snakers55]

I have 3 atbs, and they eat like mad

[JVG]

My atb ate 2 rat pups the first time i fed him, a week after bring him home he is about 3 feet long, liek the guy said overnight eaters, really easy to get feeding from my experience and form thos of people i kno that have atbs

[JonD]

Originally posted by thunder
he said he did trust him, i think you just read the post wrong.
I read it right he didn't say he trusted him, he said "I've been dealing with this guy for over 10 years now and I think I can trust him."


Anyways Adam, ATB's are generally easier in that they are more tolerant to temperature and humidity changes. That said, they still can range from pain in the *** to feed, to eating machines. Like I said before, one of mine has to have food left in his enclosure over night and rarely eats from tongs. Another one that is a garbage disposal and the rest fall in between the two extremes.

Check out www.corallus.com and look under feeding. Lots of info;)

[DataRipper]

I have had 1 that you would have to turn out the lights and put a blanket over the cage for the night before it would eat..it wasent an atb but all snakes are different.

[CraigC]

The store just received them a few days ago but haven't eaten for them yet. The owner said he would not let it go home with me until it's had at least 2 meals.

I call that GOOD BUSINESS! I wish more folks, even breeders, would be ethical enough not to sell someone an animal that isn't eating or don't keep it long enough to make sure there are no health issues. Sometimes ignoring the "impatients" of the buyer avoids the displeasure and animosity of dealing with a problem after the fact.

We don't even offer our animals until they are well established, which is usually 2-3 months and in some cases a year or more. I have seen and still see ads for animals that are just a few weeks old. I'm on the fence about this. I have sold an animal that was still being assist fed, but the customer knew this up front and the animal was 8 months old with no problems other than the assist feeding. This was at Daytona and the animal was marked as "display only", but of all the other babies that is the one he wanted. I would not have sold it either if I didn't know he was an experienced keeper that had delt with reluctant feeders of his own. Even then the wife and I had to seriously think about it.

CraigC

[SnakeyeZ]

My recently aquired ATB eats well very!, right from the tongs yet too. Which is good....but if he or any of the others I plan to purchase dont eat, ill keep the 'over-night feeders' thought in my head :-)

I have to also agree, him not selling to you until he's certain its eating...thats the right thing todo. Good luck, cant wait to see pics of him.

[adam2373]

Sad news but hopefully it will turn. He left the pinkie in the cage overnight but it still didn't eat. Hopefully the little guy just has new shipment jitters. Only time will tell.