First time feeing rats (and in the viv)

Lankyrob · 12-13-10, 06:04 AM

Well today was rat day - wasn't sure how it would go and also decided to try feeding on a plate in the viv rather than taking the snakes out into a feeding box.

With each snake i put the plate (for the small snakes i overturned one of their spare hides) into the viv and then tapped the prey on the substrate outside the hide then trailed it to the plate leaving the scent on the substrate (i hope!)

Adult corn came straight out her hide over to the plate and ate immediately. The two yearlings took a while but eventually came and took the prey (i started off jiggling the prey as i would normally but then just left it on the hide in their viv).

Monty the BP is daft as always and is still currently perching on the edge of the box his prey is in staring the mouse out and waiting for it to move! He will eat it at some point today (or at least he usually does!).

GTP shed last night and took his mouse real quick before immediately looking for more!

JCp first rat feed - did the normal jiggly prey item and he sniffed it and kinda just looked at it - i put it back in the "prey box" which i leave on the radiator to warm the prey (jus before feeding the item i place it directly onto the radiator head first to get pleanty of heat into the head). Left him a couple of mins then tried the rat again - he seemed more interested but still no luck so back in the prey box while if fed the SD retic. On the third attmept at feeding it he hit the rat like a train and chomped it down!!

SD retic - i put the plate in his viv, got the rat in the tongs - as the rat entered the viv he struck out of his hide a good 2 feet away - snatched the rat and coiled it back into his hide before demolishing it - so much for the plate!!

Xanafein · 12-13-10, 06:23 AM

lol my JCP is taking fuzzy rats without a problem now, im working her on to pre killed now, she hits it about 50/50, another month or so and i should have her safely on f/t

Lankyrob · 12-13-10, 06:26 AM

HE has been on f/t from birth so luckily no worries about switching that as well. Must admit when he didnt strike straight away i was slightly concerned but as soon as it had a little more heat to it he had no hesitation at all.

Corni_snake · 12-13-10, 07:05 AM

aww wow! I'd like to make it more interesting for my snake at feeding time :/

Ch^4 · 12-13-10, 12:28 PM

Congrats Rob! It's always relieving when you switch your snake to rats. That sounds just like what my JCP did the first time I offered a rat! It took me three attempts.

marvelfreak · 12-13-10, 05:11 PM

Congrats!