Leftover live feeders.

Dogfisher1 · 02-12-20, 02:57 PM

I am a new snake owner. What do you do with live pinkie mice & rat pups that aren't eaten? I have a 4 month old Milk Snake that supposedly eats live pinkies and a new Ball Python that eats live rat pups. I tried to get the Milk Snake to eat and no go. I ended up freezing the pinkie. I just got the Ball Python and he is still getting used to his new home. He won't eat the 2 live rat pups that I bought. One of the rat pups has already died. Any suggestions?

craigafrechette · 02-12-20, 04:29 PM

You can either feed them and re-offer them in a week, freeze them, or some stores will take them back.

With two new snakes in that short a time period I hope you're following proper quarantine.

Dogfisher1 · 02-12-20, 05:44 PM

What type of quarantine do you suggest?

craigafrechette · 02-12-20, 05:58 PM

Unless you've been quarantining from the beginning it's too late.

But proper quarantine means that the new animal is kept in a completely separate room from existing reptiles.

Equipment like feeding tongs should not be used for both

After handling the new snake, cleaning the enclosure, etc...etc...you should be changing clothes, washing hands thoroughly, etc...

Basically it prevents the new animal from transmitting parasites such as mites or other illnesses to your existing animals.
It's for the safety of the animals.

Dogfisher1 · 02-12-20, 06:11 PM

Thanks for the advice.