General BP Behaviour - Page 3

**Aaron_S** · 09-23-11, 10:09 AM

I would have went with rats.

Just try what you've got if she's used to mice otherwise go straight to rats.

mattchibi · 09-23-11, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I would have went with rats.

Just try what you've got if she's used to mice otherwise go straight to rats.

How big should I be feeding her ? I read that the girth of the rat/mouse should be approximately the size of her girth, or maybe a tiny bit less.

True ?

Edit: the mice I have right now are the ones that come in 4 pack, called Mice Hoppers. They are really tiny in my opinion, considering Morticia's size I think she could eat all 4 in one feeding. (not that i will try and feed her all 4) I can fit 2 or even 3 of the hopper mice in my hand, should I go with something bigger?

If its her first meal, does it matter ? Its not like itll harm her by feeding her something really small. I also dont want to waste the 4 mice I bought (considering they were killed for this specific reason lol).

**millertime89** · 09-23-11, 10:35 AM

I just fed my BRB 3 pinkie mice for the exact reason you just stated, I bought them before I saw him and well... he needed more than one and I didn't want to waste them. I'm not sure how BPs are, but if yours eats 3, see if it'll take 4. Cover the cage so it doesn't get stressed and to limit the chance of regurg. How long is your BP?

mattchibi · 09-23-11, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

I just fed my BRB 3 pinkie mice for the exact reason you just stated, I bought them before I saw him and well... he needed more than one and I didn't want to waste them. I'm not sure how BPs are, but if yours eats 3, see if it'll take 4. Cover the cage so it doesn't get stressed and to limit the chance of regurg. How long is your BP?

She is a little bigger than 3 feet, 3 years old. about 5.5" to 6" in diameter (like if you took a tape measure and went around her thickest part)

I looked again at the mice I bought and they are absolutely tiny. diameter of one of those things is like 2" maybe. I was thinking of feeding her 2 of them today, and then the bigger 2 next week. I didnt want to over-feed and try to feed all 3 or 4, because I want her to feed next week as well. And then if she succesfully eats both times, I will switch to a bit bigger of mice, and then eventually in a month or so to rats. (because she can fully eat something much bigger)

Lankyrob · 09-23-11, 11:28 AM

I feed my BP rats that are 1.5 to 2 times the girth of him - he takes them no problem, one every 14 days.

**millertime89** · 09-23-11, 11:43 AM

distance around is circumference.
Only feeding two is a safe idea. But don't be surprised if she's hungry in a few days.

ladyjustice33 · 09-23-11, 11:56 AM

My baby BP eats hoppers, so I'm sure they are much too small for a BP the size of yours. I use the 1.5 times the thickest part of the body rule with all my snakes and they are doing great. Anyway I gave my BP two weeks before I started to handle him. I do limit myself to how long I handle my snakes at a time, about 15-20 minute intervals, and I always wait at least 2 days after feeding and never while in shed. Besides that, some weeks I handle almost every day, other weeks if busy, not quite as much. All my snakes are eating, shedding, growing, and pooping fine. I have corns, rainbow boas, and the one BP. Just use common sense and instict in combination with what you learn on here. Eben (BP) was really calm a few days ago when I got him out, but yesterday I got him out and could tell he wasn't into it. He was huffing and puffing and jumpy, so I just held him for a bit and then put him up.

mattchibi · 09-23-11, 01:25 PM

Thanks for all the help guys!! Really appreciate it.

I think ladyjustice is right, Im going to try and feed Morticia 3 of the little hoppers tonight. Also, I just asked Brandon and he said he was feeding her rat pups, which are significantly bigger than the little hoppers I have.

How should I do it exactly ? when feeding multiple mice. I have seen countless feeding videos, but they usually only feed one big mouse or rat. They dangle it in front of them with thongs and make them mimic as if it were alive. But since I have three of these hoppers, should I do the same thing with all three ? Or should I thaw them, then drop them into a rubbermaid one by one?

Also, how important is covering the feeding tank with a towel ? I know BPS are shy

**millertime89** · 09-23-11, 04:28 PM

with my BRB, I thaw them all out, and wave them one at a time in front of his nose, if he's reluctant I just kinda push it gently against his face while moving it, and he eventually takes it. I do have to wait until the first one is all the way down before he'll take the second one. I do the exact same thing with the second one as the first.
Here's another way to do it, but I find my way is easier since both Nero, and the prey, are so small.
How To Feed A 2nd Food Item To A Snake

mattchibi · 09-23-11, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

with my BRB, I thaw them all out, and wave them one at a time in front of his nose, if he's reluctant I just kinda push it gently against his face while moving it, and he eventually takes it. I do have to wait until the first one is all the way down before he'll take the second one. I do the exact same thing with the second one as the first.
Here's another way to do it, but I find my way is easier since both Nero, and the prey, are so small.
How To Feed A 2nd Food Item To A Snake

First time feeding was traumatizing !! Well maybe traumatizing isnt the right word.. maybe just frustrating!!

So I thawed out 3 mice hoppers for 10 min in lukewarm water. Then I prepared a cup of boiling water on the side. I removed Morticia from her cage and put her in a Rubbermaid container.

I then used my metal tongs to pick up the first hopper. I was planning on waving it around at the top to entice her appetite, but I dropped it in by accident because I was nervous. (A great start already T_T)

So then I picked it up, and dunked the hopper's head in the boiling water for 5 seconds, took it out and dried it, and offered it to her again. She went for it within 30 seconds BUT I think I screwed up big time. I flinched really hard when she striked at the hopper, and I may have held on too tightly or pulled it upwards, so she didnt actually get a good hold of it. I kept trying to offer it to her but she just wouldnt go for it again after a min or two.

So then I tried again with the second hopper, and SAME thing happened when she went for it. I flinched because I was so nervous (not nervous of getting bit, but for some reason my hands were shaky and I felt uneasy). She tried going for it again, but didnt get a good hold of it, and I kept offering it to her after but she wouldnt go for it. I tried with the third hopper and she didnt even go for it at all.

So after 10-15 minutes of trying, I gave up and decided I needed bigger prey. Was the problem that I flinched when she went for it (making it hard for her to get it in her mouth?) Or was it because she has bad aim ? Or maybe it was because of the tiny prey I was offering..

I also tried leaving one of the hoppers in there for a few minutes and covering the rubbermaid with a towel, but when I took the towel off to check if she was eating, she was just exploring the top of the container, clearly not interested in the food.

Let me know what you guys think I should do next time I feed. I guess I will get used to it and not flinch.. I felt like such a newbie when I flinched BOTH times X(

**millertime89** · 09-23-11, 08:49 PM

leave one in the viv overnight and see what she does. I would say she's probably still a little uneasy, snakes are at their most vulnerable when feeding.

Lankyrob · 09-24-11, 07:01 AM

My bp if he doesn't get a good hit first time wont take prey from the tongs - if he hits it then he eats no problem but if he missess he will turn tail and hide, i then leave the prey on a plastic plate in the viv overnight and it is gone most times by the following morning - it is almost as if he is embarassed if he misses his strike and doesnt want to try again!

ZARADOZIA · 09-24-11, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattchibi

Was the problem that I flinched when she went for it (making it hard for her to get it in her mouth?) Or was it because she has bad aim ? Or maybe it was because of the tiny prey I was offering...

I guess I will get used to it and not flinch.. I felt like such a newbie when I flinched BOTH times X(

All of the above, you flinching, her bad aim, and prey being small; all plays a factor. And for the record, I have been dealing with snakes for 30 years and I still flinch. I use tongs to hold the food by the tail, I posted a vid of what I do and yes, yesterday I flinched the first time and messed poor Sasha up. That video I didn't post...lol

I have to make the food do the zombie dance for her otherwise she will not touch it. So I sit there dangling the mouse anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes until she is ready. And then repeat 1 to 2 more times after she finishes swallowing the first one because she refuses to eat rats.

All in all it depends on the snake. Each one is different, so don't get discouraged.

mattchibi · 09-24-11, 11:22 AM

You guys are amazing, boosted my confidence back up. How soon should I try to feed again ? A week? Or can i try sooner than that because I know shes hungry if shes striking, right?

Gungirl · 09-24-11, 01:07 PM

I would wait a week. You can easily stress a snake out by putting food in their face to often. It will be fine for another few days.