Strange feeding behavior

[L.West]

I've posted before about my male normal who is about 6 years old. I purchased him last Sept. I could not get him to eat for the life of me. I tried everything from f/t, live, mice, asf, rats - no luck.

Well, after almost 10 months he decides to eat the tiniest little mouse you have ever seen. The mice were about 2" long (I kidd you not) but he ate 4 of them in a row. What is up with that - he is a big boy - he weighs about 1,700 grams. Why wont he eat something more in line with the size prey he should need??

I am thrilled that he finally ate for me - but I just wonder about what he likes about these little bitty mice.

Your thoughts.

[llovelace]

Did he have feeding issues prior to your purchasing him?

[L.West]

Yes, the guy I bought him from had him for six years and told me that he recently had went on a one year fast - so that is why I didn't worry too much plus he hadn't really lost much weight.

Should I just give him the small mice he prefers - I will just have to give him like 5 of them.

[Skittles1101]

Balls do that sometimes. I'd get him eating consistently with the multiple mice if that's what he prefers then worry about switching prey. I have a little female spider who's a mouser and she finally took a rat pup for me last week because I thawed it out with a mouse in the same ziplock bag. Good luck!

[Simple Man]

Now that he ate you might find he starts eating consistantly. If that's the case, gradually work up your prey size!

Regards,

B

[llovelace]

You could try him on rat pups scented with mice. It may get a little frustrating but they will eventually take the rats.

[L.West]

He has always been a live feeder so that is what I offer him. I will continue to offer the mice for now and hopefully get him on rats.

I sure hope this means that the fast is over - he has really put me through alot of grief with not eating all these months.

Its funny how one snake will pound food whenever it is offered and then others hardly ever eat.

I've learned not to take it personally. I use to worry that I was doing something wrong but with all of them getting the same care - some eat and some dont. I don't fret about it much any more.

But I sure do enjoy it when they do eat!!! LOL

[Maixx]

Any time they go on an unusual fast, (not during winter months) it is best to get a fecal done on em, they might have picked up parasites.

[L.West]

Thanks for that info - the next time he poops I will get it checked. Do you know how I should store it until I can drop it off at the vets?? I mean I don't plan to keep it for days but it could be like a 12 hour window from when he poops until I can get it to the vet for the fecal.

Should it be refrigerated or not.

[Skittles1101]

I just drop fecals off at my vet and it's only $25 to have it done.