Strange Feeding Dilemma

[Jughead915]

I figured I'd see if anyone else has experienced this (and I'm sure some have). My ball is just about two years old and has been on frozen since he was a month or so old. In the beginning there were no issues and he accepted frozen mice then rats every 10-14 days. Then at about a year he started getting picky. At first he didn't seem to want rats anymore and when I offered a mouse he took it. Then he went off feed for a few months and wouldn't take either. Then back to mice with an occasional rat. Then he went back off feed for 4-5 months. This time I started to get a little concerned even though I know male balls are notoriously picky eaters and I've heard that some have gone much longer than 6 months. Everything in the tank is correct; good hides, hot spot, ambient temp, etc. I tried feeding early morning, early evening, and late night in total darkness to no avail. I even attempted to scent the mouse/rat with chicken broth; this drew a sniff but nothing more. Finally I thought what if I tried a live mouse, in case it was an issue with frozen. I got a mouse that was mid-sized but definitely on the small side of what he could accept and when I offered it he grabbed it immediately. I mean within seconds. I monitored the entire process to make sure the mouse didn't get in a position to hurt him. Two weeks later I tried another frozen, nothing. Waited a day and offered another live mouse...within seconds it was dinner.

Has anyone experienced a ball who just goes off of frozen? He just doesn't seem interested anymore, even when I prep it with a good warm water thaw and a blow-dry to heat the core up. I know I can only offer mice for so long before I have to move up to rats, and I've heard the horror stories of what a live rat can do to a ball.

Thanks.

[SCWood]

I figured I'd see if anyone else has experienced this (and I'm sure some have). My ball is just about two years old and has been on frozen since he was a month or so old. In the beginning there were no issues and he accepted frozen mice then rats every 10-14 days. Then at about a year he started getting picky. At first he didn't seem to want rats anymore and when I offered a mouse he took it. Then he went off feed for a few months and wouldn't take either. Then back to mice with an occasional rat. Then he went back off feed for 4-5 months. This time I started to get a little concerned even though I know male balls are notoriously picky eaters and I've heard that some have gone much longer than 6 months. Everything in the tank is correct; good hides, hot spot, ambient temp, etc. I tried feeding early morning, early evening, and late night in total darkness to no avail. I even attempted to scent the mouse/rat with chicken broth; this drew a sniff but nothing more. Finally I thought what if I tried a live mouse, in case it was an issue with frozen. I got a mouse that was mid-sized but definitely on the small side of what he could accept and when I offered it he grabbed it immediately. I mean within seconds. I monitored the entire process to make sure the mouse didn't get in a position to hurt him. Two weeks later I tried another frozen, nothing. Waited a day and offered another live mouse...within seconds it was dinner.

Has anyone experienced a ball who just goes off of frozen? He just doesn't seem interested anymore, even when I prep it with a good warm water thaw and a blow-dry to heat the core up. I know I can only offer mice for so long before I have to move up to rats, and I've heard the horror stories of what a live rat can do to a ball.

Thanks.

Yes! My girls haven't had live for over a year and tend to do this from time to time. I play what I like to call the 'hunger games' MAKE HIM WAIT! He will take, I swear. My 6 year old male is a rescue fed only live. Took me almost 2 months before he took his first frozen, but he did. If you've been successful once, you can do it again.

If you wanna step inside, pay admission at the door...
🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥
🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔
🐕🐕🐕🐶🐶
🐱🐈🐱🐈
🐦🐤🐦🐤
🐍🐍🐍
🐊🐊
🐠
Total= 30 ❤

[Mr. Misha]

You might have to come with the term of feeding your snake live.

It's not as bad as it seems. As long as you feed calm and well fed mice or rats, your chance of a bite is minimal. You also should supervise all live feedings.
I've been feeding my snakes live for three years without any incidents whatsoever.

You can also try feeding freshly killed and see if he'll take it.



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk