Tips for a fussy, pissy retic? (pics) - Page 2

NBLADE · 02-19-13, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guyabano

I've already got two in there, how many do you suggest I add? If you've noticed, her old plastic box is still in there. It's funny how she likes to go back into that one and not use the other hide. Recently though, she's been chilling out under the box instead of inside it. Might have something to do with the shed.

Leaving a used shirt in there sounds like a GREAT idea! I've done it with dogs when they were puppies to help with separation anxiety, but I never thought about doing it with a snake.

Just a few more to pack the cage out a bit, as it has quite a bit of open space, of not more hides, some foliage of sorts would work, just so she feels less open and exposed. Chilling out under the box could be a way of her trying to feel safer.

The shirt idea does tend to work, is always worth a shot anyway

guyabano · 02-22-13, 09:03 AM

Esmeralda just shed yesterday and she looked hungry. Tonight I had the joy of watching her feed. She struck, constricted and swallowed the rats in my presence and it was great. I consider this a big step to me converting her to pre killed.

I owe it to the advice I got from these forums and a little something of my own. Over the week while she was going through the "moult blues", I'd get her more and more used to my presence. I chose to do it at this time because I figured she would be less likely to go into the fight/flight mode and stay more or less calm and quiet.
I would sit in front of her vivarium for 10 minutes at a time and then slide open the doors and gently stroke her with a snake hook. Slide it closed again and do it again the next day. I also left a lived-in shirt for her to get used to my scent.

I just tossed her prey into the enclosure, one of the small rats went right up to her and she flinched. Two seconds after that, a scuffle and a squeak. One by one she took the three small rats I offered. One thing I noticed is that she is INCREDIBLY accurate. She was 3 for 3, perfect face grab every time.

I'm going to get her feeding regularly and try pre killed soon after. For you guys wondering, I'm feeding small rats because that's what I've for right now. My rat colony has just started and I've got tons of 6week old rats.

Pics to follow soon. Don't expect too much, all I had was my iPhone and I didn't want to turn up the lights too much as not to scare her.

Thanks guys!

guyabano · 02-23-13, 12:33 AM

Pics as promised. I'll take her out after she's digested a bit.

eyecaps

back in her box

guyabano · 03-08-13, 09:39 PM

Quick update, she's consistently not used her old box as a hide for about a week and a half so I decided that it'd be safe to take it out. She seems more comfortable around people now and less defensive. I'm a happy camper.

stephanbakir · 03-08-13, 10:40 PM

Congrats

Shes getting to the size where she just wont use hides anymore.
Your location says QC, is that Canada QC?

guyabano · 03-09-13, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

Congrats

Shes getting to the size where she just wont use hides anymore.
Your location says QC, is that Canada QC?

Thanks!

Sorry no, my QC stands for Quezon City. I currently reside in the Philippines.

Ivanator · 03-09-13, 01:25 AM

Congrats in finally getting her to eat in front of you! Have you tried to get her in frozen or pre killed yet? I can't get over how beautiful she is. I can't believe she's just a normal.

Corey209 · 03-09-13, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivanator

Congrats in finally getting her to eat in front of you! Have you tried to get her in frozen or pre killed yet? I can't get over how beautiful she is. I can't believe she's just a normal.

Isn't that what all wild type retics look like? lol

guyabano · 03-09-13, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivanator

Congrats in finally getting her to eat in front of you! Have you tried to get her in frozen or pre killed yet? I can't get over how beautiful she is. I can't believe she's just a normal.

Thank you. I haven't tried pre-killed yet, but I want to try it out in maybe a week and a half to two weeks. That should give her some time to get a little hungry and give my feeder rats a little more time to grow. I only started breeding last Dec. so they aren't quite her size yet.

**millertime89** · 03-10-13, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey209

Isn't that what all wild type retics look like? lol

natural variation, localities, etc. She is a very nice looking normal.