My first Retic! - Page 5

dave himself · 03-18-14, 10:27 AM

On a side note I would wait until hes killed the prey until you cover him just to be on the safe side

good luck mate

Teal · 03-19-14, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Great Mormon

Yes, he has always been offered live rats or mice.

On my first attempt, I removed the dead prey after about 15mins of him not consuming it, my gtp is rather delighted with the free lunch.
On the second attempt, he killed the prey again, and left it alone. Its still in the hide box, lying next to him.

I'll give him a night to decide if he still wants to eat it, if not my BP can have a second serving.

I have never experienced this before. Even with my GTP... if she doesnt want food, she'll just completely ignore it. And as for my BP, shes always hungry.

With regards to stress, could this be an issue with move stress? And he is just killing the prey since its intruding into his private space? Should i leave him isolated for the next 1 week and see how it goes again?

Did you try feeding mice, or rats? Maybe he has a preference, and what you gave wasn't it?

My retic was on guinea pigs with his previous owner... when I gave him a rat, he killed it but wouldn't eat it.

Either way, it won't hurt to let him be for another week to settle into his new enclosure before you try feeding again.

Great Mormon · 03-19-14, 03:33 AM

He had a rat. And has always been feeding on rats or mice. I'll give him some time to settle in I suppose before I try Dave 's method

Great Mormon · 03-23-14, 05:24 AM

heres an update... he ate today.... I decided to leave the prey inside the tub, closed it and tried to peek tru the airholes and pretended that i wasnt around. Within 10minutes, he detected the prey and went for it. I left him alone for the next 30mins to make sure he swallowed the prey before going anywhere near the tub. He seems rather happy after a meal... You can see the small bulge in his tummy.

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MCB · 03-23-14, 06:06 AM

Congrats, glad he ate. Seems to be settling in fine.

dave himself · 03-23-14, 12:48 PM

Good to see he's feeding for you mate

**Tsubaki** · 03-23-14, 04:08 PM

good to hear he's been eating!

Great Mormon · 03-23-14, 07:30 PM

Thanks guys! Right now, I feel like a proud father whose son spoke his first word!

**EL Ziggy** · 03-23-14, 09:07 PM

Congrats on the successful feed! Keep up the good work.

Tracy33 · 03-24-14, 02:31 PM

Nice one , glad it is going well .

Great Mormon · 03-24-14, 10:41 PM

Thanks guys n gals. Im going to save up a bit so i can get a proper enclosure for him. I like setting up naturalistic enclosures. I'm looking at the exo terra large/wide terrarium for him. I'm still sourcing out for a supplier and a friend who is willing to drive and carry that thing into my apartment.

I shouldnt have a problem with the live plants and tank accessories as there are plenty of aquariums and nurseries around. Do you guys have any preferences for your retics bedding? I'm planning on using cocopeat for the planting medium and then add another layer of forest bark for easy cleaning.

I might even try to add a waterfall in the tank of space permits. I like the sound of flowing water, and it improves the fengsui in my room too

MCB · 03-25-14, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Great Mormon

Thanks guys n gals. Im going to save up a bit so i can get a proper enclosure for him. I like setting up naturalistic enclosures. I'm looking at the exo terra large/wide terrarium for him. I'm still sourcing out for a supplier and a friend who is willing to drive and carry that thing into my apartment.

I shouldnt have a problem with the live plants and tank accessories as there are plenty of aquariums and nurseries around. Do you guys have any preferences for your retics bedding? I'm planning on using cocopeat for the planting medium and then add another layer of forest bark for easy cleaning.

I might even try to add a waterfall in the tank of space permits. I like the sound of flowing water, and it improves the fengsui in my room too

Just don't go over board, if he's anything like my guy they don't have much respect for viv displays. I ended up putting in a couple of thick pieces of Java wood (fixed to the viv) and some fake plants which he turned into a hide

as for bedding I've gone down the paper route, not good to look at but sure makes it easier for cleaning etc. Added a large water bowl and we are both now very happy

Good luck whatever you do, don't forget to take some pics of your build!

MDT · 03-25-14, 05:34 AM

I'll second what MCB said...I finally went to a minimalist set up w paper substrate. I don't know why retics have such a vendetta against things in their viv, but they will uproot, poo on, knock over anything you put in there.

Great Mormon · 03-25-14, 07:00 AM

ah, i see. He has decided to hide under a big piece of drift wood i added into the tub already. I'll remind myself of the vendetta snakes have against their terrarium plants and objects when plant it up. Hopefully he'll be a bit less hostile to his leafy friends.

**millertime89** · 03-26-14, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDT

My SD is somewhat similar, great feeding response in that he will strike and constrict, but will often just ignore it afterward. About 1 in 5 times. Very frustrating, but he is growing, so maybe that's just him...

Keep up the good work GM...

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave himself

Mate my little retic will constrict and then let go of the prey item if there's any movement out side the viv, I've learnt to feed her last so she has no distractions. The next time you feed him try putting a towel over his tub as this has worked in the past for me

I've got a few exactly like this myself.