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I've had this trio for about 2 1/2 weeks, and only one of the three has eaten, feeding small f/t rats. Temp in the rack is a constant 77° and mid-upper 80's in the back 1/3 of each tub. Only one has eaten and the others shy away from food. Everyone is alert, active, no signs of illness, but I'm starting to get a little nervous.
I'm tempted to try a live rat, but haven't fed live in YEARS! Not really excited about slicing open a rat skull either. Sort of a newbie-type question, but what's my next step?
Sincerely,
Concerned Parent
__________________
"The question is do we allow the government to take our property rights away from us based on unfounded manipulations from a special interest group?" ~ Erika N. Chen-Walsh, President, U.S. Help Alliance
I'd say just give them more time. If they're alert and not losing weight, you don't need to worry yet. You know this also, have you tried leaving an f/t rat with them overnight? They might opt to take their first meal with more privacy and swcrecy...
__________________ Alessia
Quote:
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." -Anatole France
I'd say just give them more time. If they're alert and not losing weight, you don't need to worry yet. You know this also, have you tried leaving an f/t rat with them overnight? They might opt to take their first meal with more privacy and swcrecy...
Yes, I know this. You know me, Alessia! If things aren't perfect, I worry, freak out, then ask silly questions. One of the three ate this evening, and when I came upstairs a few minutes ago, I re-warmed and again offered to the other two, unsuccessfully. So, I'll leave them overnight again and hope the food is gone by morning.
Hey, I needed SOMETHING to post about. Having Minnie mistake my fingertip for a fuzzy today just wasn't news enough I guess. But, I did get a good long look at her teeth as she tasted blood and began gnawing on my index finger! So perfect and pointy, all with that backwards curve. I don't know who her dentist is but I'm thinking of asking next time!
__________________
"The question is do we allow the government to take our property rights away from us based on unfounded manipulations from a special interest group?" ~ Erika N. Chen-Walsh, President, U.S. Help Alliance
it took my ball python over a year to eat before.. i know different species and everything, but like said b4, if they are not loosing weight, i really wouldnt worry too much at this point!
Well the struggle continues. After trying unsuccessfully last night to tease feed the three of them, I left all three rats (f/t of course) in the tubs overnight. All three were still there this morning. After re-warming and offering again this morning, only Maggi took it. She's the only of the three I've gotten to eat. She's 3 for 3. The others shy away, and eventually may give a couple defensive strikes. Efficus even bit into the rat twice, but only defensively. He never actually took it, same with Black Betty.
Very frustrating! What do I do next?
__________________
"The question is do we allow the government to take our property rights away from us based on unfounded manipulations from a special interest group?" ~ Erika N. Chen-Walsh, President, U.S. Help Alliance
Well, feeding day is upon us once again, and since I apparently am not a very good judge of size, the feeders I purchased two weeks ago are the wrong sizes, and useless to me, and with no recent rat litters, I'm headed later to my favorite local shop, Rainbow Pets (Purely coincidence), and have the choice of either live or f/t.
Is it time to try feeding the MGB's live? Also, since I don't have an appropriate scale, can you judge by the recent pics what size to feed? I'm thinking small rats for them and also the newest BRB. Thu Suri's will get rat pups, and I guess the smaller BRB' still on rat pinks?
__________________
"The question is do we allow the government to take our property rights away from us based on unfounded manipulations from a special interest group?" ~ Erika N. Chen-Walsh, President, U.S. Help Alliance
id try a small live prey then when they take that just before they get it swalowed gently put the frozen thawed between there lips and they should take it and if they do next week they should take a frozen thawed it may take a couple trys but it has had good results for me in the past.
Thanks. I just tried stunned/pre-killed. The first rat twitched quite a bit in front of Maggi's nose, but the other two were still. So far, none of the three snakes have budged.
Thanks for your advice. Next time I'll try that, or hamster-scenting, since I have those too.
__________________
"The question is do we allow the government to take our property rights away from us based on unfounded manipulations from a special interest group?" ~ Erika N. Chen-Walsh, President, U.S. Help Alliance
Thanks. I just tried stunned/pre-killed. The first rat twitched quite a bit in front of Maggi's nose, but the other two were still. So far, none of the three snakes have budged.
Thanks for your advice. Next time I'll try that, or hamster-scenting, since I have those too.
IMO, don't try chasing a live feeder with an f/t feeder right now. They're still young and that can be stressful. Keep up with fresh/killed or frozen/thawed. I'd hold out on live. Have you been weighing them? Have they lost weight? Good luck tonight!
__________________ Alessia
Quote:
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." -Anatole France
IMO, don't try chasing a live feeder with an f/t feeder right now. They're still young and that can be stressful. Keep up with fresh/killed or frozen/thawed. I'd hold out on live. Have you been weighing them? Have they lost weight? Good luck tonight!
Ok, I'll keep this up. I hoped the pre-killed would twitch (sorry, it's true) and entice them, but only one moved.
You know, I almost bought a scale at the last show, but had already spent too much at NARBC. I'll try to get one soon. IMO they may have lost minimal weight, if any.
__________________
"The question is do we allow the government to take our property rights away from us based on unfounded manipulations from a special interest group?" ~ Erika N. Chen-Walsh, President, U.S. Help Alliance
Ok, I'll keep this up. I hoped the pre-killed would twitch (sorry, it's true) and entice them, but only one moved.
You know, I almost bought a scale at the last show, but had already spent too much at NARBC. I'll try to get one soon. IMO they may have lost minimal weight, if any.
If it doesn't look like they've lost weight, it's just a waiting game until they're ready to eat. You can get a cheap one at any store that sells kitchen supplies (like bed bath & beyond) for as little as $15.
__________________ Alessia
Quote:
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." -Anatole France
If it doesn't look like they've lost weight, it's just a waiting game until they're ready to eat. You can get a cheap one at any store that sells kitchen supplies (like bed bath & beyond) for as little as $15.
Really? A nice accurate digital scale? Is the biggest up to 5000g?
__________________
"The question is do we allow the government to take our property rights away from us based on unfounded manipulations from a special interest group?" ~ Erika N. Chen-Walsh, President, U.S. Help Alliance
Really? A nice accurate digital scale? Is the biggest up to 5000g?
I have one that's super accurate and weighs up to 5lbs (~2,268g). The brand name is Oxo. Any food scale though will be pretty darn accurate. Just make sure you get one with a pull-out tab so that you can put a big bowl on it and still read the measurement. Here is one that measures up to 11lbs (~5,000g). Here is another one.
And one more... this one is the Oxo brand that I personally recommend. It's more expensive, but it has that pull-out tab that is perfect for putting a big bowl on it to weigh heavier animals and still see the tab.
Here is me using the Oxo one I have and showing the pull-out tab feature:
__________________ Alessia
Quote:
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." -Anatole France
also, have you tried leaving an f/t rat with them overnight? They might opt to take their first meal with more privacy and swcrecy...
You know me, Alessia! If things aren't perfect, I worry, freak out, then ask silly questions. One of the three ate this evening, and when I came upstairs a few minutes ago, I re-warmed and again offered to the other two, unsuccessfully. So, I'll leave them overnight again and hope the food is gone by morning. 
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