feeding issues and is this a good idea

[BOWSER11788]

well its time to switch bowser over 2 weaned rats, and it going on week 4 no meal, should give him a nomral mouse or wait it out, also read somwhere on here to give it a mouse then when ready to strike give it a rat. also about how long does it usally take new bps to eat, my new ones hadn't ate since before the 13

[p3titexburial]

If your husbandry's right on the dot, then you may just have one that refuses rats. Sometimes no matter what you do they just won't take it.

A month isn't terribly long for a BP but it's better that he eats than not. I'd just give in and give him a mouse if he'll take it--I'm also having a terrible time switching my girl over. She'll take jumbo mice no problem but won't take rats (brained, heated, scented, small, big, male, female, white, black, pink and purple polka dotted etc.) no matter what I do so I'm gonna continue offering but keep a steady supply of mice on hand.

My other one will eat anything I throw in front of him. Their personal preference I guess. =/

Good luck!

[Big Gunns]

BG needs more info Bowsy. How big are they, where did you get them, how are they set up? BG needs to know it all before he can give you any of his wisdom.


Hopefully BG is around to respond after you do.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

well its time to switch bowser over 2 weaned rats, and it going on week 4 no meal, should give him a nomral mouse or wait it out, also read somwhere on here to give it a mouse then when ready to strike give it a rat. also about how long does it usally take new bps to eat, my new ones hadn't ate since before the 13

Problem 1#

Switching can take a while and depending on how big/old your animal is you might want to wait some more, in other word more tough love or you might not.

My advice to you rather than offering a wean rat offer a rat that is the same size than the mice previously offered (rat pup), and try rubbing some mouse bedding on it. The size can sometimes be intimidating and offering a different type prey that remain the same size can often facilitate the transition.

How far should you wait before you give up will depend on the animal size.

Problem #2

12 days without food for new addition it not unusual, a few important things here:

Proper husbandry make sure your husbandry is on spot, the key if they are young individuals is keep them tight and warm. If they are below 250 grams I would highly recommend to keep them in a 6 quarts tub, temps of 78-82 (cool) 88-92 (warm), 50%-60% humidity, 1 (6 inches) plastic flowerpot saucer for hide, and aspen bedding.

No handling until they eat a few meals for you.

Offering the same type prey that was previously offered.

Now the more details regarding your snakes and enclosures the better we will be able to narrow it down.

[West Coast Jungle]

I agree with Deb with the mouse bedding. I recently had a snake that wouldnt switch over to rats so I actually put mouse bedding in the tub when I introduced the rat and bam fooled the lil bugger and she ate him.

[BOWSER11788]

sorry it took a while to get backk busey, they temps are between 91-95.4 bowser the problem snake, is 500g and was previously feeding on adult mice, someone on hear suggested weaned or pups, urggh i forgot come to think of it, but by the girth of their middle belly, he could easly take the pup, all of them are in 28 qt. tubs, 2 tight hides, and some plnt cover, cause i couldn't find any more tubs. humidity stays constant 60-65. i have 3 accurites sittig in my room so the whole room stays that 60% and temp stays 77 . i have a water dragon in that room, and the constant mister keeps it all up. the new bps are 400 and i believe 375, soem set-up as bowser,during weigh, the pastel seemed cool, but he albino still covers her head and balls up, that was 10 days ago, trying to feed tomorrow, i tried last saturday and the past hovered over and around it, like gurding it but after 15 minutes back in hide, hope that helps, cause thats all i got,lol

[Big Gunns]

They are the perfect size to go off feed at this time of year. You need to find out what substrate they were on before. BG hates newspaper for newly acquired snakes in the winter. You have a much better chance of getting them feeding on Aspen or Cypress. Also, live food is your best bet. You just may have to wait a while to get them to feed. That's just the way it is. Keep an eye on their weight....and wait it out.

Don't try and feed them more than once...maybe twice a week. You don't want to bother them too much.

[seeya205]

Don't bother them at all for a week then try feeding!

[jjmitchell]

I have a male pastel that refuses rats, but took asf's.... hoping after a bit to change him over to rats again

[BOWSER11788]

thanx BG. yea they are on news paper and seeya, also Jim, what are asf's, i have heard that sooooooooo much, are they a special rat, im gonna try one more time with F/T tommorrow, then i will go with what ya say Gunns, cause its starting to waste rats, i only re-thaw once, so let me try these, if they dotn eat i got a couple big boys that will take them, so i maybe they wont be wasted. also i guess i will find the breeders and email them