leaving live rat pup overnight........good or bad idea?

[rj1204]

So, I bought an 08 bee (703 grams when I got him) the first week of June and he has not been interested at all in eating. I have put a post about him not eating before and am following advice here on BP.net. I put a shoe box hide in his tub and have not tried to feed him for the last 3-4 weeks, along with covering his rack slot with newspaper so he is not bothered by me walking in and out of the snake room. The breeder said he never skipped a meal for him and he fed him one small live rat once every two weeks. The breeder recommended I buy a rat pup and leave it overnight since it will not chew on him. I bought a live rat pup from Big Cheese today to follow his advice. Do you guys think this is ok? Should I buy a rat crawler or fuzzy instead? I just feel uneasy about leaving anything live in his tub overnight.

I weighed my bee two days ago and he is at 685 grams, so he has lost 17 grams over the last 2+ months of not eating. He actually weighed 701 grams two weeks ago but last week, he pooped and shed for me for the first time.

[ed4281]

sometimes they go off feed. If your snake is loosing weight you should take that poop to the vet and have a fecal float done to make sure you don't have parasites. To answer your question a rat pup with unopened eyes is safe to leave over nite but never leave anything that can move around well and has teeth unattended with your snake.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Sometimes they just get temperamental over being moved. Just keep trying once a week, and keep monitoring his weight. The live rat pup overnight is a good idea.

[musclebabe]

I disagree in leaving live prey in cage unmonitored. Not a good idea'

[unspecified42]

I wouldn't be too worried about the pup harming the snake, but I also wouldn't be too worried about the snake not eating at this point. It took a few of mine months to start eating again after I got them.

[ed4281]

I disagree in leaving live prey in cage unmonitored. Not a good idea'

I did specify not to leave any prey with open eyes that can get around as it could harm the snake. A rat pup does not fall in that catagory, its eyes are'nt open and they can barely crawl around.

[rj1204]

Well, this rat pups eyes were open. It had some small teeth too so I was a little worried. I put it in with my boy and covered up the rack slot with more newspaper, then went on to feed the rest of my BP's. I checked on him after 5 minutes, pulled out the tub, and he had killed it. I checked on him again 15 minutes later and he had swallowed it. So, it looks like I will just feed him one live rat pup every 2 weeks until he starts eating regularly for me. After that, I will try to switch him over to F/T like the rest of my BP's.

As far as weight loss, I wasn't really worried that he lost 17 grams after 10 weeks. Like I said, he was 703 grams when I got him and 701 grams just two weeks ago. He pooped and shed and I think thats where the other 15 grams or so went. I'm just happy he finally ate!

[snakesRkewl]

As far as weight loss, I wasn't really worried that he lost 17 grams after 10 weeks. Like I said, he was 703 grams when I got him and 701 grams just two weeks ago. He pooped and shed and I think thats where the other 15 grams or so went. I'm just happy he finally ate!

Congrats, it's a relief when they finally decide to eat after a spell of non eating.

[tiny_tiger60978]

What about leaving a mouse pinkie? They don't have any teeth and can barely move (eyes closed too, not to mention little to no claws)...

[771subliminal]

What about leaving a mouse pinkie? They don't have any teeth and can barely move (eyes closed too, not to mention little to no claws)...

a mouse pinky wouldnt hurt your snake but its pretty much pointless to feed as its way to small