Problem Feeders...

[Bobsean]

I have been let down again by my male pastel. I tried switching him over to rats again and he wasn't having anything to do with it! So I thought that I would share my issues with him and see if anyone else shares my pain.

Mojo has been a picky feeder from the start and will go off feed for a few weeks at a time for no apparent reason. When he does eat, I can get him to take two or three large mice. He will do this for three or four weeks, and just when I think I've made some progress with him, he stops eating! I seem to be regressing with this guy.

The past few weeks he has taken two or three large mice. So this week, I decided to try a small rat and he cowers into his hide at the sight of it. I don't know what to do...

Over the years this is what I have tried

-scenting the rats like mice.
-make his tank as secure as possible
-wait until dark to feed (If time permits)
-wait 14 days between feeds to make sure he is extra hungry

Here is a photo of the fella. He's a 2006 Male Pastel and only weighs 786g. I bought him in 2007 at 450g. That is 336 grams in 3 years

My 2006 male normal now weighs 1700g.

[Patrick Long]

Live? FT? PK?

[Bobsean]

Always been live

[Patrick Long]

Try PK or FT

I have some that will only take PK

[Bobsean]

Interesting?! how do your snakes that take pre killed react to live prey?

Do they show signs of disinterest or is it more of a cowering behavior?

The behavior I notice is the cowering. I think he doesn't like them getting close to his head.

[Spaniard]

Sounds to me like you have a mouser. One of my females will only feed on live mice, its a pain because of the availability of quality live feeders in my area but I tried very hard to get her to switch with no avail.

Edit: She also cowered away as soon as she smelled the F/T rat or live rat when I offered. She would take a quick smell then go in her hide and block the hide entrance with her body.

[Bobsean]

Sounds to me like you have a mouser. One of my females will only feed on live mice, its a pain because of the availability of quality live feeders in my area but I tried very hard to get her to switch with no avail.

Edit: She also cowered away as soon as she smelled the F/T rat or live rat when I offered. She would take a quick smell then go in her hide and block the hide entrance with her body.

Ahhh, This is what he does exactly.

[Bobsean]

Woohoo!!! I'm so excited right now, I just need to tell someone.

It's official, Mojo is no longer a mouser! He just took his first live rat.

The trick turned out to be pre-scenting his cage. I followed all of my previous tricks with him such as, late night feeding and extra time between feeds to boost hunger. Then, I placed a rat in one of those clear critter cages you see at the pet stores and set it in front of his cage. I also opened the glass to let in the scent.

Ten minuets later, he pokes his head out of his hide. He tastes the air with a few flicks of his tongue, and spots the prey. I see Mojo recoil into strike position and realize that this is my chance. So, carefully, I remove the rat from the critter cage and gently toss him into the tank. Then, *Wham* its a hit!!!

The road to growth has just appeared for this fella!

The trick now is reproducing the process and making this a regular occurrence.

[nixer]

congrats!
i have a few mousers
i guess my tough love just isnt tough enough ive tried everything

[Bobsean]

congrats!
i have a few mousers
i guess my tough love just isnt tough enough ive tried everything

Aw don't give up! I spent 3 years on this guy, and finally succeeded.