male ball

madison.s · 07-07-03, 02:02 PM

hi remember the burned ball i rescued will i finally got him to eat

but he eats live is there any way i can get him to eat frozen ? he's 2 years old and 3 feet long and 5 1/2 inchs thick i really don't want to feed him live

tHeGiNo · 07-07-03, 03:29 PM

Well to start, what have you tried as far as getting him to eat?

bulls eye ball · 07-07-03, 03:46 PM

he is 5 1/2 inchs thick i tryed frozen but he won't touch it. so i gave him a live mouse today but i don't think that will fill him i would give him a rat but i don't want him to be bit.

bulls eye ball · 07-08-03, 12:39 PM

hey.I am not sure what is wrong i have not got any advise as to what to do with my ball. My friend has replied to someones reply and now no one is getting back to and i really need help..please someone help me i really dont want to feed him live because of gems and stuff. Woman in need please and thanks

lilyskip · 07-08-03, 07:10 PM

Well, I'm no expert, but these are a few things that I've heard work...

Try dipping the f/t mouse/rat in chicken broth. Also, make sure that the food isn't too big for it...it shouldn't be any bigger in size than the snake is around its thickest point. Some people say that if you wiggle the mouse, it'll be more appealing. Also, make sure that it's thawed out enough so that's it's warm, but not cooked, ya know?

Good job with being worried about live prey, btw. Rats especially are really dangerous.

bulls eye ball · 07-08-03, 07:33 PM

thanks i'll tell them to try that.

jwsporty · 07-08-03, 07:34 PM

Hey lizlady,

5-1/2" girth is definitely large enough to go for something larger than an adult mouse. Try a Juvi Rat. I have been getting success with the following method.

1. Take water dish away two days before the scheduled feed
2. Try feeding later in the day, early evening has been working well for me.
3. Heat the rat (sealed in a baggie) until thoroughly thawed. Press the belly firmly and make sure there are no cool or cold spots felt. It should stay warm.
4. Either brain or cut the skin on the skull of the rat and pull the skin forward toward the nose.
5. Now quickly run the head only under hot water for a minute and then dip in chicken broth (not chicken soup)
6. With snake in the feed tub , slowly open the lid, make sure to open it so the snake doesn't see you, so open it from the side furthest away from you.
7. Present the food, using tongs instead of your hand, with the tongs holding onto the tail.
8. Give the prey a little wiggle.
and if everything is right he should go for it.

Again results may vary, but this has got a couple of my BP's going nicely.

Good luck and I hope this helps. Keep us posted on your progress.

Jim

madison.s · 07-08-03, 07:59 PM

thanks alot you guys and gals are great:w

sapphire_moon · 07-14-03, 04:42 PM

Like jwsporty said with the skull, you might want to try putting a hole in the mouse's skull with a needle or pin, the smell of body fluids from the mouse might induce him/her to strike and eat. Don't let her/him see you wiggling the mouse, and make sure it is hot enough for her to eat, but not to hot to burn her, and not cold either.....Good Luck!