When to offer food for hatchling who won't take f/t...

[redshepherd]

Turns out my smallest hatchling refused food today too (a small rat fuzzy). She was also eating live before, and took her first f/t meal with me right away last Wednesday. I offered today (Sunday) and she would look interested, come out to kind of crawl over it or investigate, then always shrinks back into her hide.

I tried leaving the fuzzy in with a towel over the tub, didn't take.

Tried putting half the fuzzy in the hide, didn't take.

I offer by holding the rat by the scruff and just twitching it slightly. I heated it with a hairdryer. I also tried heating with warm water.

Anyway, I'm planning on waiting maybe 3 days before offering again? Offer, wait 3 days, offer again?

The problem is that she's only 100g or so, and already a little on the skinny side. How many refusals before I should offer her a live one?

The closest live rat provider I know is a 40 minute drive, so it's trouble.

[wolfy-hound]

I would offer again in 3 days and then go get a live one for the next try(3 days later).

I usually only offer once a week to let the appetite build up nicely, so it's possible she's just not quite ready to feed after 3-4 days.

[redshepherd]

Alright, maybe I'll offer on Friday instead, in case it really is appetite... hope she doesn't get stuck on live. :/

[sneakysnake611]

I dont see a problem with live. Just monitor it. And make sure you get the rat from a clean store so you dont bring bugs home with it.

[AlexisFitzy]

Have you tried offering her a mouse? Has she always taken rats?


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[Stewart_Reptiles]

You offered too soon if you want to increase frequency wait for your new snake to be established in your care (3 to 5 feeding every 7 days) than you can try to increase frequency however not all will want to eat twice a week.

The F/T might also have been an exception, I have had hatchlings getting switch and taking 1 F/T and than refusing every single one offered until much later. They don't all switch and when they do it's at their own pace for now your priority is to get the animal well established and feeding, switching and frequency increase are not.

[redshepherd]

I don't have a local live rat provider, and yes she was on live rat pinkies and fuzzies.

You offered too soon if you want to increase frequency wait for your new snake to be established in your care (3 to 5 feeding every 7 days) than you can try to increase frequency however not all will want to eat twice a week.

The F/T might also have been an exception, I have had hatchlings getting switch and taking 1 F/T and than refusing every single one offered until much later. They don't all switch and when they do it's at their own pace for now your priority is to get the animal well established and feeding, switching and frequency increase are not.

I see, I'll wait until Friday and offer again then. Assuming she refuses it again and again, how long can she go before I should make the drive for the live fuzzies?

[redshepherd]

Refused again just now. �� Eek.

Same thing, she looked interested and sniffs it, but kind of just moves around it or starts looking in other directions instead of striking. And eventually retreating into her hide.

Why can't everyone be pigs like Yukon and Drizzle?

[Neal]

Refused again just now. �� Eek.

Same thing, she looked interested and sniffs it, but kind of just moves around it or starts looking in other directions instead of striking. And eventually retreating into her hide.

Why can't everyone be pigs like Yukon and Drizzle?

Because BP's are the most finicky eaters. lol

You may just have to start breeding rats, that or try and trade for something else.

Just a suggestion, look at reptile groups on facebook for your state, then put a post that you're looking for live rats. I'm sure you'll be able to find somebody nearby who breeds rats that may be closer. I did this with wanting to sell frozen feeders, and to help out local people and it's been working out great.

[Zincubus]

Refused again just now. �� Eek.

Same thing, she looked interested and sniffs it, but kind of just moves around it or starts looking in other directions instead of striking. And eventually retreating into her hide.

Why can't everyone be pigs like Yukon and Drizzle?

Hi .... I haven't read all through the thread .... just wondering when you offer the d/f rat or mouse have you tried giving it a 20 second blast with a hairdryer just before offering ? It will sometimes take 4 or 5 or more attempts and reheat each time .

Good luck !!


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