Killed the rat but hasn't eaten it

Leigh · 06-10-04, 04:26 PM

I've been reading through several threads hoping to find an answer....came close a few times, but need more info. I just "inherited" a 9yr old female BP. She has lived a tough life with an old hippie, in and out of bars....cigarette smoke....loud noises, etc....She is used to being handled frequently. Dispite her upbringing, she is very tame and loveable. My problem, if it even is....is that I've had her about 3 weeks and was told that she was due for feeding. All these years she has been fed live rats. After trying to inform myself on my new pet, I'm looking forward to the transition to something other than live. I may just be a nervous "parent," but, I got the live rat today. According to some of the pics on this site, it is just the right size for her. She killed the rat within the first couple of minutes...after sneaking up on it. No problems, but....after trying to eat it, it is like it is too big....she is now just laying beside it. Every now and then, she goes back and tries again.
I guess my question is how long does the process take? If it is too big, how long should I let her "play" with it before taking it out and trying something smaller?----or, is this something that is sometimes normal?

I appreciate any comments/advice....thanks in advance!
Cheryl

snakehunter · 06-10-04, 05:17 PM

to answer your question we need a little more info, like the size of the two animals. My bps have taken a few meals that i thought would never get down. the problem your snake MAY have is that she cannot find the head, if eaten head first meals are easier to swallow. What substrate is she on, it would be a bad idea to feed her on aspen or god forbid sand. if you have her on carpet, or some substrate that she couls not injest while eating i would leave it over night. as long as she keeps trying i would leave it, this shows that she IS hungry and IS feeding (lucky you)!

Leigh · 06-10-04, 05:33 PM

Nessie is about 3'8"....At her widest point, she is a good 2" in diameter. The rat is just about the same size in diameter....easy to see right now as they lay side by side. She did have the head almost down to the shoulders? (close to the front claws)....As for the substrate, she is on newspaper.

sapphire_moon · 06-10-04, 06:14 PM

9 years old and only 3ft! That is sad, no offense to you, as you seem to be doing a great job. But just let her do her thing. Goodluck!

Leigh · 06-10-04, 06:26 PM

My length may be off here....my husband and I were arguing about it....we were estimating---haven't actually measured her....I went with my figure on the length....and ignored him...lol...

snakehunter · 06-10-04, 06:48 PM

Yeah, i would just let her do it by herself, if its still there in the mornin i would toss it. She may also be uncomfortable eating during the day, and feel more secure in the dark

mykee · 06-10-04, 07:19 PM

My guess, having had this same thing happen to me with a few of my larger balls, is that the food item is too big. She probably wants to eat it real bad, but snakes, not being stupid, know what they can take down. I would take it out now, so she doesn't get stressed with it in there, and offer her a smaller meal in a day or two. If she eats it, in a weeks time, offer her two small items as opposed to one larger one. She also sounds really small for a 9 year old female. Get her eating, and feed her well. Good luck, and keep us posted.

nita · 06-10-04, 09:54 PM

I have also adopted BP's that were older but very small for their age. Good job on learning what she needs. Since the rat is now dead you could leave it with her overnight and see if she can get it down. By the way my adoptees are doing great and I'm sure yours will too! What is her name?

Leigh · 06-11-04, 08:38 AM

Well, this morning the rat was still there so I took it out. I will wait a day or so and try again with a smaller rat. After she has fed and had a couple of days of R&R, I will try to get more accurate measurements of her. I didn't realize how important that can be and that my estimates could be far off. Her name is Miss Nessie, btw. Thank you again for the thoughts and views. The whole family is really enjoying this site!

Leigh · 06-11-04, 08:43 AM

Just a thought, the man I inherited Miss Nessie from told me that he believes most people over feed snakes. Her feeding schedule with him was about once every 4-5 weeks.....he never had problems with her feeding...perhaps because it wasn't often enough? Something to ponder, I guess.

Syco · 06-11-04, 10:08 AM

I guess that explains her small size

and no... I bet he didn't have any problems with her eating. I'm glad you have her now. I was given a female BP and the guy said he was feeding her 1 f/t *mouse* every 7-10 days. It took her a long time to become used to eating more, now she is eating f/t rats and has become my "garbage disposal" LOL! Anything the other BPs refuse, she gets. She has really pumped up since she started on rats.
Good luck with your new BP and keep reading this forum, you can learn a lot here!

Leigh · 06-15-04, 09:10 PM

Well, to update those who have generously offered advice.....I first owe you all an apology. I really tried to read up so well. I hate to post something without reading many other posts to see if an answer is already out there somewhere....I should have gotten accurate info about Miss Nessie before posting. I took her with me to the pet store and the gentleman helped measure her. She is 9yrs old...which I already knew, but, she isn't as small as I first stated......a poor estimate, and I apologize. She is 4'7" long. I was almost a foot off in my estimates. He feels like she is very healthy and that the color of the rat may have been the problem. It turns out that, (coming from a small community,) he already knows this snake and knows what she usually eats. He agreed, though, that she should be fed more often. I paid for a darker colored rat and he "threw" in a smaller rat for me to try to feed her if she is finicky or takes the first right down to offer afterwards. Well, I am pleased to say that Miss Nessie has made me proud.....she took both rats! ( I feel like a proud ma ma) I'm trying so hard to do right, and it is very rewarding when something works out! Thanks to all of you for your help!!!! I just thought I would like you guys know that it is a wonderful...but weird....feeling to hold your worst fear in your arms. They truely are beautiful creatures!

mykee · 06-15-04, 09:18 PM

That's terrific. Keep her well-fed and enjoy her. Do you have a weight on her, or a pic to show her size in comparison?

Leigh · 06-15-04, 09:27 PM

I've just rebuilt my computer and still in the process of loading all the "fun" stuff, so, not yet. I tried a couple of days ago to take a pic with my phone camera, but, technology just isn't the best with them yet....I am working on it though, so soon....I'm looking forward to you guys seeing her. What is the easiest way of getting the weight? Please don't tell me to stand on a scale with her...lol