| Author |
 Topic  |
|
ptmbradley
Hatchling
United Kingdom
105 Posts |
 Posted - 21/05/2011 : 14:10:20
|
Hi all,
I'm moving my BRB from mice to rat fuzzies, but he's just shown no interest whatsoever in eating one just now. 
I've left him in his feeding tub with the prey for the time being, but he's been in there for about 15 minutes and all he's done is nudge it once and then moved to the other end of the tub.
I warmed it up to try and make it more tempting but still he isn't interested. Will leave it a little while longer but if not I guess I'll try again another time. I'm not worried at the mo because I know they can go ages without feeding, but was hoping he'd take it quite happily. Hopefully next time... |
Boas: 0.1 Arabesque, 1.0 Brazilian Rainbow, 0.1 Crawl Cay, 1.1 Hogg Island X, 0.1 Hypo Hogg, 0.1 Kahl Albino (poss coral)
Corns: 1.1 Anery, 1.1 Butter, 1.0 Carolina, 0.1 Hypo, 1.1 Snow, 1.0 Sunkissed
   |
|
|
Invalid User
account deleted on request
277 Posts |
Posted - 21/05/2011 : 14:18:24
|
Some don't like the change from mice to rats. Have you got a mouse you can offer him for now?
You could try scenting the rat by defrosting it with the mouse. |
 |
|
|
JKCarter
New Member
USA
90 Posts |
Posted - 21/05/2011 : 14:32:08
|
Like Louise said some just don't like the change from one prey item to another. I know it can be frustrating, but have just a bit of patience and you should be fine.
I found this interesting article on "tease feeding" that might be of some use. http://www.venomousreptiles.org/articles/53 Give it a read as it gives a few tricks to try to get your little bugger to eat.
Keep us posted. |
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas (Vinni & Scarlet)
1.0 Yellow Niger Uromastyx (Taji)
0.1 Crested Gecko (Unnamed)
0.0.1 Ball Python (Val)
 |
|
|
|
ptmbradley
Hatchling
United Kingdom
105 Posts |
Posted - 21/05/2011 : 14:45:43
|
| cheers guys. I did think about rubbing mouse scent all over it so will try that. Am heading off for the weekend shortly but will try again in a couple of days. I knew they can be a bit fussy swapping to rats but was hoping he wouldn't be that bothered. I'm sure a little perseverance on my part will rectify the problem eventually... |
Boas: 0.1 Arabesque, 1.0 Brazilian Rainbow, 0.1 Crawl Cay, 1.1 Hogg Island X, 0.1 Hypo Hogg, 0.1 Kahl Albino (poss coral)
Corns: 1.1 Anery, 1.1 Butter, 1.0 Carolina, 0.1 Hypo, 1.1 Snow, 1.0 Sunkissed
|
|
|
|
Invalid User
account deleted on request
277 Posts |
Posted - 21/05/2011 : 14:48:11
|
I'm sure he will be be fine.
I have been quite lucky so far as Narcissa will happily switch between both although I hope to keep her on rat chubs now. |
|
|
|
Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 23/05/2011 : 21:15:39
|
| He should be fine, Peter. I had to scent first rats for a few of mine, too, and most made the switch in the end. For a while I even kept a single live mouse, whose sole job was to scent up a feeding bin to trick a particularly stubborn female. Anyway, a few skipped meals will not hurt him, and will in fact make him hungier and more likely to try the rat! Good luck, and please keep us posted. |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
|
|
|
ptmbradley
Hatchling
United Kingdom
105 Posts |
Posted - 23/05/2011 : 23:47:09
|
quote:
Originally posted by Snakesitter
He should be fine, Peter. I had to scent first rats for a few of mine, too, and most made the switch in the end. For a while I even kept a single live mouse, whose sole job was to scent up a feeding bin to trick a particularly stubborn female. Anyway, a few skipped meals will not hurt him, and will in fact make him hungier and more likely to try the rat! Good luck, and please keep us posted.
Yeah I'm not really worried if he doesn't eat for a while as long as he doesn't start losing weight. I've left a rat fuzzy, mouse fuzzy and 4 mouse pinkies all defrosting together in a small tub indoors ready for various feedings tomorrow, so hopefully he'll have a go this time.  |
Boas: 0.1 Arabesque, 1.0 Brazilian Rainbow, 0.1 Crawl Cay, 1.1 Hogg Island X, 0.1 Hypo Hogg, 0.1 Kahl Albino (poss coral)
Corns: 1.1 Anery, 1.1 Butter, 1.0 Carolina, 0.1 Hypo, 1.1 Snow, 1.0 Sunkissed
|
|
|
|
Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2011 : 00:13:57
|
| Fingers crossed! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
|
|
|
ptmbradley
Hatchling
United Kingdom
105 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2011 : 14:31:18
|
well after defrosting a rat fuzzy in with several mice, and then warming it and wiping mouse scent all over it, he still wasn't remotely interested in eating it.
I know he might be more likely to eat at night, but I work then so won't be around to feed him. So I'm just going to place the fuzzy on a piece of kitchen towel in his RUB and see if he'll take it in the next 12 hours or so. I'll be home about 4am so will check then... If not I'll just leave it a week and try again. As long as he seems healthy and doesn't lose weight, I won't worry too much about his fasting. But if this drags on I'll have to start thinking about braining and stuff, which I'd really prefer not to do! Just wish the rep shop had got him onto rats already instead of feeding him oversized mice!! lol
EDIT: Just weighed him so I can keep track properly, and he's now 127g. That's up 17g - or 15% - in under 3 weeks, and he's only eaten once. Although that was a mass-heave meal... |
Boas: 0.1 Arabesque, 1.0 Brazilian Rainbow, 0.1 Crawl Cay, 1.1 Hogg Island X, 0.1 Hypo Hogg, 0.1 Kahl Albino (poss coral)
Corns: 1.1 Anery, 1.1 Butter, 1.0 Carolina, 0.1 Hypo, 1.1 Snow, 1.0 Sunkissed
|
Edited by - ptmbradley on 24/05/2011 14:47:06 |
|
|
|
Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2011 : 21:37:14
|
| Is he near shed, Peter? That sometimes makes a difference. Regardless, keep offering once a week, and eventually he should take. If not, the forum is always here for you! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
|
|
|
ptmbradley
Hatchling
United Kingdom
105 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2011 : 04:50:38
|
Well I thought he was in shed the other day because he looked a bit dull. But he has since looked normal and then I remembered it was late in the day when he looked dull and I know they can change colouration in the evening. But he must be due fairly soon because he shed a week or two before I got him and he's been with me 3 weeks now, so I would have thought it must be imminent.
But anyway, the good news...
I got in from work just after 4am and checked his RUB for the rat. I haven't checked hides or under foliage yet coz it's late and I'm tired and want to go to bed, but it wasn't where I left it so hopefully that means he finally took it. Will find out for definite the other side of sleep, but I'd say it's looking good. |
Boas: 0.1 Arabesque, 1.0 Brazilian Rainbow, 0.1 Crawl Cay, 1.1 Hogg Island X, 0.1 Hypo Hogg, 0.1 Kahl Albino (poss coral)
Corns: 1.1 Anery, 1.1 Butter, 1.0 Carolina, 0.1 Hypo, 1.1 Snow, 1.0 Sunkissed
|
|
|
|
Invalid User
account deleted on request
277 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2011 : 07:47:29
|
Fingers crossed the rat is now being digested....
if not I'm sure you will know soon by the smell lol |
Edited by - Invalid User on 25/05/2011 07:48:12 |
|
|
|
ptmbradley
Hatchling
United Kingdom
105 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2011 : 12:55:57
|
It's gone.
Well, unless he's lying on top of it in his moss hide anyway! lol And not going to disturb him to check as I'm sure it's safely digesting in his belly now.
Hopefully he won't be so fussy next time, but at least I know he'll take them now. |
Boas: 0.1 Arabesque, 1.0 Brazilian Rainbow, 0.1 Crawl Cay, 1.1 Hogg Island X, 0.1 Hypo Hogg, 0.1 Kahl Albino (poss coral)
Corns: 1.1 Anery, 1.1 Butter, 1.0 Carolina, 0.1 Hypo, 1.1 Snow, 1.0 Sunkissed
|
|
|
|
Invalid User
account deleted on request
277 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2011 : 13:45:33
|
| Thats great! :D |
|
|
|
flaboye
Hatchling
USA
178 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2011 : 15:07:51
|
Great to hear!
I guess after thinking about it for a while "alone" there you go!
For my rainbow, I just toss the F/T into her tank. The BCI I still enjoy him striking and constricting. My rainbow has gotten lazy and doesn't do this anymore, so she just gets it "dumped" in there. It's gone within 10 minutes or less generally.
What a life huh :)
Joe |
0.1.0 Brazilian Rainbow
1.0.0 Hypo BCI
1.0.0 Columbian RedTail
1.0.0 Great Pyrenees
0.0.1 Armadillo under house |
|
|
|
Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2011 : 19:44:42
|
LOL Joe.
Peter, congrats. These snakes feeding preferences seem to vary as much as their personalities. I have some that don't care what a frozen-thawed rat looks like and just grab it, even with me around; some that insist it be piping hot and "tong danced" before they strike; and some who will run away at the sight of that, and prefer it be parked outside their hide and left, only to be consumed in the dead of night when the lights are out and I'm asleep in a different room. And yet another won't touch frozen-thawed rats at all, preferring fresh-killed; and yet another that insists on mice (though he will accept frozen thawed). What a mix, huh? Again, glad he ate for you! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
refused his fuzzy. :(
