Pre-shed soaking? - Page 6

Norm66 · 01-09-12, 08:03 PM

He just showed no interest at all. Same as ever. Scared if anything. Very frustrated. One of the balls failed to feed too but I left the fuzzy in with her. I'll check before bed.

Lankyrob · 01-10-12, 11:34 AM

Norm, just had a thought, forgive me if you already covered this.

How are you feeding the Carpet? They feed in a totally different way to a BP. BP's eat and hunt at ground level so are expecting a prey item to be in front of their noses.

Carpets will feed hanging from a branch so expect the prey item to be beneath them - my guy when we put a rat in the viv will sniff it and then climb onto his perch and be expected to be fed there so we then have to bring the prey item under him so that he will take it. Even on the perch he wont take the prey if it is at the same height that he is.

Just a thought

Norm66 · 01-10-12, 12:01 PM

Rob, he's in the rack now so there's no perch anymore. I actually thawed and warmed the rat, soaked it in chicken broth and laid it down in front of him. Left it for two hours and he hadn't moved so I removed it.

The last time I attempted to feed him before moving him to the rack he was up on his perch and the prey was a live mouse. He at least showed interest and even struck once at it but let go immediately. I kept an eye on it for over an hour and he eventually just went back to sleep up on his perch.

I can't help but think at this point that he's simply not going to eat until Spring or until I assist or force-feed him. He doesn't seem to be losing significant weight but it's going on 2 months since he's eaten so I'm not really inclined to assist quite yet.

I have to say it's very frustrating.

Lankyrob · 01-10-12, 12:15 PM

Would be interested to hear what other carpet keepers think on this - to my mind they need a perch to be able to "hunt" naturally - my guy has never eaten whilst not being on the perch

Norm66 · 01-10-12, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Would be interested to hear what other carpet keepers think on this - to my mind they need a perch to be able to "hunt" naturally - my guy has never eaten whilst not being on the perch

I've tried it one way and it didn't work so now I'm trying something else. I've actually been in contact with Willow (Kim) and Shaun on this subject and I've done everything they've suggested to no avail. Yet. There's always next time.

I honestly have half a mind to take Jerome back to the breeder this weekend and see if he'll trade me something for the little PITA. But I have this thing about never abandoning a pet that will never let me do that even if the breeder would give me half credit or something.

**millertime89** · 01-12-12, 10:18 AM

I would say keep Jerome, but contact the breeder about how he was fed before he came into your possession. I would also give him a taller tub on the top of the rack so he can have a perch, let him choose what he wants and where he's comfortable.

red ink · 01-12-12, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Would be interested to hear what other carpet keepers think on this - to my mind they need a perch to be able to "hunt" naturally - my guy has never eaten whilst not being on the perch

All my feed records state..

"Feed 1 (what ever weight rat) night time feed taken on first strike while on perch"

Since I don't feed at a set interval I don't feed until I notice this behaviour for a few of days in a row

Even my hatchling enclosures have perches...

Norm66 · 01-16-12, 06:48 AM

I spoke with Jerome's breeder Saturday. Apparently Jerome isn't the only one from that group who isn't eating. Two other people who have JCPs from that pairing have also reported their snakes not eating. This just encourages me to ride it out with Jerome.

Lankyrob · 01-16-12, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm66

I spoke with Jerome's breeder Saturday. Apparently Jerome isn't the only one from that group who isn't eating. Two other people who have JCPs from that pairing have also reported their snakes not eating. This just encourages me to ride it out with Jerome.

It is strange for sure, i 2010 we got a BP that wouldnt feed, nor would any of his broodmates, we ended up giving him back to the shop and got another who has not missed feeds except in breeding season.

When i went to the reptile shop last time i asked about the non feeders, they are now 2 years old and still none of them will strike feed - all are being assist fed still.