BP Won't eat - Page 6

Chu'Wuti · 04-17-09, 02:03 AM

OK, Julian, Kendra, whatever you do, do NOT put those two snakes together to breed them--can you imagine what their offspring would be like . . . OMG!

All kidding aside, I know it's frustrating. I started to feel as if I was just wasting money by thawing out a rat, trying to feed it, then having to throw it away . . . week after week . . .

Just think--one of these days they WILL eat--and you're both going to be so thrilled!

Wolfus_305 · 04-17-09, 05:38 AM

Hahah yes Chu, that would be awful!!

Finally! Somebody else going through the same thing for this long!

I can't imagine how excited I'll be when he actually eats! I will stick to white rats and I will try smaller ones. I will raise the temps too. I have ever only fed at night. 11pm or later is when i try to feed him but i need to get to bed.

Kendra

citysnakes · 04-17-09, 07:58 AM

i dont even want to imagine those little baby balls from hell!

i know Sandy, i hate to throw away f/t feeders that have been refused. to me its the same as throwing out food and its such a waste. when i do have refused feeders though, some lucky snake gets double meat that night.

ya Kendra some nights i cant stand feeding so late because of early morning classes the next day. damn nocturnal beasts...

HMT · 04-17-09, 04:50 PM

Just my two cents..

feeding live isn't that bad of an option. I know a lot of people are opposed to it, but my snake has been far healthier on live mice than he ever was on frozen- the stores near me were not selling reliable frozen mice, and eventually admitted that their freezer "had problems" and was thawing/ refreezing the contents repeatedly. Some of the mice I bought were so rancid that the snake refused to go near them. And their live mice were in horrible condition. For lack of a better option, I began breeding my own prey items for him. I do not kill my mice-- it is far quicker and more merciful to allow the snake to do it, supervised.

If you're worried about the snake being bitten, you have a few options. First, buy your live prey a few days or so before feeding time, and have an adequate enclosure for it... with plenty of chew-toys and items intended to dull their teeth. This also gives you a chance to observe the prey and make sure it's healthy before feeding.

Secondly, when feeding, feed in a separate enclosure to allow you full access to the snake/ prey, without hides or such to get in the way. This also creates an association of that area with food, instead of the tank-opening-sound with food, which can get you bitten. (and wash your hands- smelling like prey will also get you bitten) If you're nervous about the mouse/ rat biting the snake, stand at the ready with a wooden chopstick to jam in the prey's mouth as soon as the snake strikes. And female prey are less likely to try to bite than males are, from what I've seen.

I handle my snake often, and it hasn't harmed him. Quite the opposite.. cleaning his enclosure, feeding, and vet visits are far easier and less stressful on the snake when the snake is used to being handled. (and trust me, if you ever have to give your snake meds for parasites or whatever... you will want him used to being handled) He doesn't shy away from being handled at all anymore, and will actually strike at his prey item before I finish placing him into the feeding area, and if I allowed it would kill and eat the prey without leaving my hands.

Good luck getting your BP to eat... but don't stress it or miss school. Just try different options and don't necessarily stick with what the previous owner did. I'm sure the snake knows you are not his previous owner, nor is your house the same place he used to live.

Chu'Wuti · 04-18-09, 07:45 AM

Quote:

damn nocturnal beasts...

LOL!

I have fed live with WC snakes. I was lucky that one of my sons knew another kid who began breeding his own & set up a deal with him. Unfortunately, the guy actually got a contract with the local PetSmart to provide mice to them and the store inserted in the contract that he could sell only to them! He still sold on the side to my son for awhile, but my son moved to another state. Now I don't have anything WC (and if I did it would be Opheodrys Aestivus so it wouldn't need mice), so if I had to feed live, I'd have a problem, as DH would not be one for raising mice or rats! Maybe I could get my stepson/DIL to let me have their rats.

Anyway, I'd rather not feed live myself. However, it might be worth a shot just to get those two picky eaters started!

HMT, you might want to do a search for "live prey" or something; as you're new on the forum, you don't know what the general feeling is about feeding live . . . or about feeding separately, which I also used to do and don't any longer after a discussion here.

My snake definitely knows the difference between "tank-opening-sound" with smell of prey versus tank-opening-sound NO smell of prey. Sound is not nearly as important as smell and heat to these guys.

Quote:

when i do have refused feeders though, some lucky snake gets double meat that night.

OK, that does it!! I need another snake! In fact, not just ANother, multiple others! As soon as my exams are over . . .

HMT · 04-18-09, 06:21 PM

Quote:

HMT, you might want to do a search for "live prey" or something; as you're new on the forum, you don't know what the general feeling is about feeding live . . . or about feeding separately, which I also used to do and don't any longer after a discussion here.

When I first bought my ball, I was pretty ignorant. I believed everything the pet store told me. After a frightening bout of prolapse from the parasites he had when I bought him, and a 400$ vet bill, I did a LOT of research. Funny thing about the internet, is that it is full of opinions. I think everyone has their own way of doing things, and there is more than one way to do something "right". If one thing isn't working, why not try it another way? If Kendra's snake isn't eating at all... isn't trying live prey worth a shot?

I feed my ball separate from his tank for many reasons. I could discuss it here, but that would derail the topic. I'll search for that thread you mentioned and read up on it.

Chu'Wuti · 04-18-09, 10:01 PM

Quote:

If Kendra's snake isn't eating at all... isn't trying live prey worth a shot?

Absolutely--as I acknowledged:

Quote:

However, it might be worth a shot just to get those two picky eaters started!

My comments were not to pick on you, HMT. It's just that I've seen some pretty assertive (to put it mildly) words get tossed back & forth when people disagree with something, so I wanted to warn you in advance . . . my father always said, "Forewarned is forearmed" and it's been pretty good advice to keep in mind.

And as I said, I used to feed my BP in a separate feeding enclosure, too--actually for several months. Then he quit eating. It turned out that not taking him out of his enclosure was one of the keys to getting him to eat again (along with warmer temps). So I'll just stick with it.

Wolfus_305 · 04-19-09, 09:57 AM

Wow, I miss a lot when I'm studying.

The first thing I think when I hear "feed it live" is ohmygosh! what do i do with the mouse if my snake doesn't eat it?! I know that's a wee bit on the crazy side but my snake hasn't eaten at all since I bought him so i am losing faith. Geez this is annoying! I'm not sure where to get a live prey item even if i was to feed him live. The pet store that I used to go to closed and the one that just opened across the street from me doesn't sell live.

I have been feeding him in his tank since I can't get into the shed to even locate a suitable "feeding tank" for him. I thought he would be more comfortable in his own environment.

HMT: yes, Sandy was simply warning you. Some discussions on here get pretty heated especially the ones on feeding and enclosures.

Julian: IT'S NOT FAIR! at least you have other snakes that eat. My one and only is still refusing! In order to be in class on time I need to leave my house at 8 which means i'm up at 6:45, that's way too early for a teen and I don't think that waking up for 3AM feedings would help me stay awake in math.

Kendra

siz · 04-19-09, 06:45 PM

Haha, yeah I haven't been on all weekend and it looks like I've missed a lot too.

My ball was originally fed live mice so I fed her live for a few months after having her. I switched to F/T (rats) because of the cost of buying live from pet stores is more than buying frozen. Now I buy all my feeders from a local breeder but I just haven't switched back to live because I have no where to keep live rats if delivery days don't fall on feeding days. Personally I prefered feeding live, I got a quick feeding response, you have more knowledge of what's going into your snake, and the first time is very cool!

I'd say give it a shot Kenny, it might be just what Wolfus needs. If he doesn't eat, do you have any friends with snakes? Or who want a new pet, hahah.

I am curious about the mouse/rat colour trigger, I can understand gender but colour? Can snakes even see colours? I have heard that 'white mouse only' thing from a couple people before but I sort of thought it was a feeding myth..has this actually been proven to work?

Chu'Wuti · 04-19-09, 08:45 PM

One way of looking at this is not to think of black and white as colors, but as light and dark. All animals can see light and dark (unless they are blind).

As to whether it works, IDK for sure. I can say that my BP refused to eat black mice the first time I offered them. In fact, that's when he quit eating for the about two months or so . . . now he eats black or white with no trouble, though.

citysnakes · 04-19-09, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMT

feeding live isn't that bad of an option.

i dont think anyone has said anything negative about live feeding at all.

also an association cannot be made with the "tank-openning-sound" and food because, assuming you are a good snake keeper, the tank should be opened on many other occasions besides feeding, such as, water bowl fill ups, spot cleaning and handling seesions for example. in all of these cases the "tank-openning-sound" will be heard. for this reason, it is not possible to condition the animal to make a specific association with a regularily occuring stimulus.

Wolfus_305 · 04-20-09, 05:44 AM

Hi there,
*sigh* unfortunately none of my friends have snakes (and barley tolerate this one) and nobody i know would be allowed a mouse for a pet...

I open his enclosure all the time, for water changes, to check on him, to stand up stuff that moved because he was crawling (slithering?) on it, to spray for humidity etc. I haven't been handling him due to him not eating.

That colour thing is very interesting. I don't know if this ties in at all but I have noticed with my puppy that he doesn't like people with darker skin tones, my last dog didn't either. Maybe it's the way they see, such as the features they can make out or a different scent?

Where would I get a live mouse? what size would you think is best and how should i feed it to my snake? how long would i leave it in with the snake before i decide the snake doesn't want it?

Kendra

HMT · 04-20-09, 09:40 AM

I understood the warning and appreciate it.

I've been on a few other pet-specific forums before, and I know people can get passionate about whatever opinions they have.

Quote:

Where would I get a live mouse? what size would you think is best and how should i feed it to my snake? how long would i leave it in with the snake before i decide the snake doesn't want it?

If he was eating rats, you should probably start with an adult mouse, from a pet store. Look for a store that sells feeder mice instead of "fancy" mice, because those will be cheaper. Petco usually sells them, as do many local stores I have encountered. I honestly don't know if the color or sex will matter- its up to your snake's preferences. Mine eats anything. You will know that your snake is interested because he will react quickly- pulling his head back, turning to watch the prey, etc. If he avoids the prey or ignores it, remove it from the tank quickly, because prey can and will attack the snake. Having a chopstick ready will help keep the prey away from his face, if the snake is not reacting. If he has never eaten live it might take him a little while, but I wouldn't leave the mouse with the snake for more than 5-10 minutes, and make sure it is supervised.

If the snake refuses this food... you can keep the mouse cheaply with a rubbermaid container, water bottle, bedding, and food- mouse food or birdseed & veggies left over from your fridge work fine. At least with this method you aren't buying mice and throwing them out every week if he refuses to eat.

Chu'Wuti · 04-20-09, 11:13 AM

Quote:

I know people can get passionate about whatever opinions they have.

Excellent--and diplomatic--way of putting it!

Kendra, you might also be able to start with a young rat that is no bigger or even a little smaller than an adult mouse . . .

Wolfus_305 · 04-20-09, 08:15 PM

I will do some pet store hunting and attempt to find a live prey item
I am looking for an "adult mouse".
I always supervise, even when the rat is f/t until i get insanely tired or realize i have homework that i forgot about and it's due the next day. I will for sure supervise when/if I feed live. I know that the Pj's closest to me closed. the next ones (closest) don't sell feeder rodents at all and they won't sell me any kind of pet since I'm under 18. they wouldn't even let me buy a fish.

Sandy: are you referring to live or f/t?

On a side note: how are you guys quoting those messages? I tried it a few times on other posts and it didn't work.

Kendra