Any advice on how to switch a BP to eating f/t - Page 2

DJC Reptiles · 11-03-17, 03:48 AM

Hello Mowgliozzy,

If you have tried to feed the snake every single day of the two weeks I would wait at least 5-7 days before trying again. I know this can be worrying, especially with baby snakes, but the snakes need time to accumulate to their environment without any disturbances. I agree with the past mentions of how to handle this problem. Leave the snake completely alone for about 5 days the. You can then try putting in dead mice into the same cage as her, without moving the snake. At this point she may want to eat, as long as you don't disturb her, you can continue to try again after this.

Hope this helps!
-DJC Reptiles

dannybgoode · 11-03-17, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Light output; it is VITAL to the D3/Ca/Mg cycles and circadian rythems that all animals have a period of total darkness. By total darkness we refer to a level of light equal to or less than the reflected by the moon. Generally this is around 4lux. The Deep Heat Projector produces true Infra-Red at below 4 lux. As such it is very safe to use 24/7 and should be. Day/night stats help here of course.

Very good point - the last thing you want is a snake associating feeding with stress and by constantly waggling food in its face this may be what happens.

Snakes can last a very long time without food. Hydration is much more important. I know a breeder who had a newly born Japanese rat snake (Elaphe climacophora) not take its first meal for nearly 6 months! Still got there in the end.

Mowgliozzy · 11-03-17, 08:51 AM

I actually haven’t tried every day. I got a f/t and I tried 4 days after I got her, left it in the cage. The day after that I tried again. About 5 days later got some live rat fuzzys. She seemed scared of it, striked at it a few times and the balled up. Now I’m hear haven’t tried since. Today hopefully they have the rat pinky’s. I keep a feeding chart and 10/26 was the last time I attempted to feed her. Hopefully this time it’s works.

Mowgliozzy · 11-03-17, 08:53 AM

Also should note that I don’t handle her to much. It’s just that she’s tipped her water bowl one to many times so I had to take her out and clean up change everything. (I got new bowls)

Mowgliozzy · 11-04-17, 01:21 AM

She ate today!!

DJC Reptiles · 11-04-17, 04:58 AM

Awesome! I still wouldn't recommend holding her for about a week, just monitor her to make sure she produces waste, and you will be good to go!

dannybgoode · 11-04-17, 05:26 AM

Congratulations - always a relief when they finally feed.

Personally I wouldn't handle at all - except when strictly necessary - I'm a bit militant in this respect though. Don't handle my snakes much at all. Just sit back and enjoy observing them be snakes

Mowgliozzy · 11-04-17, 11:42 AM

Oh yeah I’m leaving her alone