Feeding Failure Update

[blackcrystal22]

Hey guys. So Sundays are feeding day for me.
It took me about a 3-4 days to gather and order everything that was recommended in this topic. -> Here.
So I gave him a week to settle as well as getting the temperatures at a controlled steady state. And its been just over a week.
So it was feeding day for my corn.. she ate like a pig as usual.

And I though I'd give Tora a try too. So I dropped the mouse in (after pre-scenting) and waited 30 minutes.

When I came back to peek inside he was wide awake.. so I figured maybe he's hunting.. So I left him in there for another 15 minutes.
The ASF hardly moved.. and he just curled back up in his hide.

What worried me is when I took the ASF out, I came back and took a quick peek at him.. hes getting noticeably more skinny. Like, skinnier than last week when I took the pictures and posted them up here.
Before I'm forced into a vet check, I want my pregnant ASF to have babies. And I may attempt to assist feed him a pinkie.. He just seriously knows how to worry me more than anything..

So, since we've covered the general proper enclosure for him, any new suggestions?

I don't know why he's not interested.. I still haven't been able to get any small enough rats. (I'm on 'call' for 2 small petstores in the area if they have any babies)
Should I try a store mouse next week and see if the smell might make a difference? I know ASFs don't have a very strong scent..
Plus I know my corn will eat it if he doesn't. :]

Thanks everyone, any advice is severely appreciated.

[starmom]

I followed Becky's advice verbatim and offered a small mouse to my hypo. She has eaten for the past two Mondays and tomorrow is another feeding day.
I would suggest a mouse and remember to pre-scent for at least 30 minutes prior to feeding and stay in stealth mode!!!

[blackcrystal22]

I followed Becky's advice verbatim and offered a small mouse to my hypo. She has eaten for the past two Mondays and tomorrow is another feeding day.
I would suggest a mouse and remember to pre-scent for at least 30 minutes prior to feeding and stay in stealth mode!!!

I know ASFs are technically rats, but they seem to have the same everything else as mice.. size, babies, habits, exct.

So trying a mouse instead of an ASF could make a difference? I donno, I always assumed they were extremely similar.

[starmom]

Well, like you said, African soft furs don't have the smell....

[SatanicIntention]

Get a hopper mouse. Believe me, the snake knows the difference. Mice reek!

Prescent for a good 30 minutes with the room dark. Make sure he has a small, tight hide(4" clay or plastic saucer), and a small tub. Temps can be higher, I keep mine at 94-95 with an ambient temp of 83-85.

Just drop the mouse in, close the tub up and leave the room. You can leave the hopper in overnight if you need to, they will not inflict any damage whatsoever. You can always leave a lab block piece if it makes you feel better.

If he doesn't eat, crumple up some paper towels or newspaper and fill in all of the open space in the tub. In a 6qt, that shouldn't be much. Wait a week and try again.

And no handling whatsoever!

[blackcrystal22]

Get a hopper mouse. Believe me, the snake knows the difference. Mice reek!

Prescent for a good 30 minutes with the room dark. Make sure he has a small, tight hide(4" clay or plastic saucer), and a small tub. Temps can be higher, I keep mine at 94-95 with an ambient temp of 83-85.

Just drop the mouse in, close the tub up and leave the room. You can leave the hopper in overnight if you need to, they will not inflict any damage whatsoever. You can always leave a lab block piece if it makes you feel better.

If he doesn't eat, crumple up some paper towels or newspaper and fill in all of the open space in the tub. In a 6qt, that shouldn't be much. Wait a week and try again.

And no handling whatsoever!

Of course!
Hm, I have plenty of frozen hoppers, do you think I could rub them on an ASF?
I don't know how to get hoppers at this time, I could buy some and breed them but that obviously takes time I don't have for him.. :[

[starmom]

Petco just has wee small mice- anywhere from 19g to about 24g. Is a 19g too large for snake?

[blackcrystal22]

Petco just has wee small mice- anywhere from 19g to about 24g. Is a 19g too large for snake?

I don't think so. He's about 120g and is pretty thick rounded, many of my smaller sized ASFs seem smaller than his biggest point.

Alright, I'll check it out! :]

[SatanicIntention]

Yep, Petco generally has small adult mice. Try finding the smallest one. Live will always prevail over the f/t though, at least with starting babies.

Nevermind, just saw that he's around 120g. Try a medium adult mouse, he'll be fine.

[starmom]

I take my gram scale to Petco... I'm certain they think I'm nuts!!!