Feeding

[Lindsey]

Hey everyone. This is for anyone that owns a columbian. I tried feeding mine today (f/t) and it literally took her 1 3/4 hours to kill it, sniff anround and find the head so she could start eating. Is this normal? It usually takes her a little while to figure things out but it has never taken this long. Any ideas? Do any of yours take their sweet time?

Lindsey

[frankykeno]

Just a few thoughts here. Could the f/t have been a bit cool going in (it obviously cooled off significantly in that long time) so that she wasn't getting enough of a heat signature off it to be all that interested? Also was anyone nearby. I've noticed with the two columbians we've dealt with that they will not settle down to eat until they've checked the immediate area for any movement. Also was she fed earlier than normal and just not really hungry yet? Was the prey different to what she's normally been offered?

[JimiSnakes]

Mine are alll monster eaters! Never had them take any time with anything going down their hatch...lol. You might have fed it a little big of a meal??? or maybe it's what Jo said too. They are all so different with things like this. Trial and error on some things, You know? lol.

[Brandon.O]

I dont really think thats normal, Frankykeno made some good points about the F/T getting cold, that happens from time to time. My colombian took down two small rats last night in about 30 minutes. The rats were pre killed though, so they were nice and warm. Next time you feed, try to get the food item really nice and warm and see if that makes a difference.

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

Grrrr. Its Colombian not Columbian. Sorry, its a pet peeve of mine. My little guy may take his rat(s) in 5 minutes of striking or 2 hours. It really depends but usually He constricts the dead rats therefore taking longer to eat. My big girl realizes that I just put the dead rats head in her mouth and she usually just swallows like that. Good luck and try and get some pics

[Lindsey]

I always feed her f/t and check the entire body of the rat for temperature before offering. I’m sure it did cool off in the time it took her, but she still ate it. I was the only one in the room (I always am for the whole feeding) just to make sure there were no problems with anything. As she is only 1.5-2 years old I feed her every 10 days (was thinking of switching to 14 days) on the dot. However, when you (frankykeno) mention them checking the area for movement that was exactly what I thought she was doing…maybe I should try watching her from a further distance because she checked over and over. About the rat getting cold….you can’t exactly take it from them…can you….I didn’t think you could re-heat and re-offer.

[JimiSnakes]

you can’t exactly take it from them…can you….I didn’t think you could re-heat and re-offer.

You can try I am not that brave though!

[Razaiel]

I tend to go out the room now - and check back later. When I first got a BP I used to watch (from a distance) and it seemed to take forever. The novelty has worn off now (more snakes, more lizards, to feed I don't have the time) so I check back in about 1/4 - 1/2 hour and they're gone. I think the longer you look the longer it takes (except for my monitor LOL!)

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

My little red tail male takes for ever if you stay in the room before he starts to swallow his rat. If you leave and come back in 10 minutes hes done and looking for another!! lol My big girl usually takes 5-10 minutes either way to get started swallowing her rat and I usually hang out and make sure she doesn't ingest any aspen