Some Questions...

BrandyMom2aFew · 07-21-10, 01:16 PM

Currently Benny(BP) is getting a weaned rat every Wednesday because I found an awesome supplier that delivers it to my door every week

The thing is I am not keen on live feeding; I have read about the dangers especially when the prey gets older and would prefer if nothing bad ever happened to Benny.

The two times we offered pre-killed, we thawed till it was warm and Benny acted scared of it. Someone suggested tongs and holding it up to his face aside from that are there any other tricks I can try. I think I will try next Wednesday because we aren't eating this week due to the shed so maybe he will be more accepting?

Also everyone is throwing out weights, lengths, and ages on their BP's. I am not sure of weight but he is six months and but is quite long since he can span my entire arms length. Is that bad?

C.Phillips · 07-21-10, 01:22 PM

theres a post on here about me getting my female to eat and the others posted some great info on it maybe something there could help u the tittle is "my 2 1/2 (f) ball wont eat" maybe some info there will help

Lankyrob · 07-21-10, 03:48 PM

Main thing is to heat the head of the rat up so that it is body temp - i waggle the nose of the mouse (none of mine are on rats yet) in front of the nose of the snake and that gets them to strike.

I have one adult corn that wont strike feed - i heat the mouse as usual but just drop it in to the tub we use for feeding and then she will go over and eat it.

bladeblaster · 07-22-10, 05:59 PM

ball pythons are often very shy feeders, just try leaving the dead rat in over night, and it may well take it when all is quiet. They are naturally nocturnal hunters/feeders so will feel much more comfortable eating in the dark.

Nafun · 07-22-10, 10:04 PM

If neither bladeblaster's or rob's advice work, try crushing the rat's head, and stabbing it with a knife or icepick to expose the brain. The scent of brain tissue should entice him to food.

Pythonian · 07-22-10, 11:14 PM

Not sure if it's still popular here.... or if you're up to it... but I had a finicky blood... he wouldn't eat thawed... but I didn't like putting a live rat in there...so I'd stun the rat... put him in a plastic bag and...well .. Plastic Bag + Wall = Stunned Rat... Put him in the enclosure and the blood loved it...
I couldn't feed him Thawed, Brained, and obviously not live... so the next best thing was stunned.. worked great.

BrandyMom2aFew · 07-22-10, 11:27 PM

Hmm that is a good option, I may try that if I have too, so far there hasn't been an issue with live and he isn't picky or finicky at all about the live food, but I am afraid of what could happen. I have seen pictures online of what a live one can do and it isn't so pleasant looking. My husband thinks it is fine with the live for now because we aren't going to leave him unattended with an alive anything.

percey39 · 07-22-10, 11:32 PM

Im not going to lie i have live fed some of my snakes, but i dont find it enjoyable at all and see no real benifit for the snakes. I understand you have to with some hatchlings or neonates live feed as thats the only way they will eat. I have had to do nearly entire clutches this way before, but i find scenting the dead rat with a quail or chicken works a treat. Even if you have a budgie take a feather and put it in the rats mouth. I have had great success with these two things on all my stubborn feeders.

citysnakes · 07-23-10, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandyMom2aFew

My husband thinks it is fine with the live for now because we aren't going to leave him unattended with an alive anything.

then you should have no problems with live feedings at any rat size.

mykee · 07-25-10, 09:22 AM

Quote:

"The two times we offered pre-killed, we thawed till it was warm and Benny acted scared of it."

You'll need to heat that SOB up to as hot as the hot water you get from your tap will give you. The hotter the better.

BrandyMom2aFew · 07-25-10, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

You'll need to heat that SOB up to as hot as the hot water you get from your tap will give you. The hotter the better.

We put it in a plastic bag and thawed it in boiling water.... That is what the guy we got the mouse from said it was just above body temp when we put it in the tub.

percey39 · 07-25-10, 10:00 AM

When i have some that are reluctant i just put the rats straight into the water at the hottest my tap can get. I leave it there for a minute or 2 then dry it quickly and offer as its still hot hot hot. Most will take straight away.

Lankyrob · 07-25-10, 10:56 AM

Just a personal opinion but i have qualms about thawing snake food so quickly (frozen into hot water then fed striaght away). This is mainly as i wouldnt do this with "human" food - i always thaw both snake and human food overnight.

the mouse is then heated under the ceramic lamp before feeding.

Like i say just MY opinion.

percey39 · 07-25-10, 07:10 PM

I thaw the rats mostly in warm water then at the last bit i throw then in the hot water

Nafun · 07-25-10, 07:53 PM

If you try to thaw them too quickly, you'll end up with cooked rat on the outside, and frozen rat on the inside. Neither is healthy for a snake.