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Problem Feeders...

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  • 09-25-2009, 02:43 PM
    Bobsean
    Problem Feeders...
    I have been let down again by my male pastel:(. I tried switching him over to rats again and he wasn't having anything to do with it! So I thought that I would share my issues with him and see if anyone else shares my pain.

    Mojo has been a picky feeder from the start and will go off feed for a few weeks at a time for no apparent reason. When he does eat, I can get him to take two or three large mice. He will do this for three or four weeks, and just when I think I've made some progress with him, he stops eating! I seem to be regressing with this guy.

    The past few weeks he has taken two or three large mice. So this week, I decided to try a small rat and he cowers into his hide at the sight of it. I don't know what to do...

    Over the years this is what I have tried

    -scenting the rats like mice.
    -make his tank as secure as possible
    -wait until dark to feed (If time permits)
    -wait 14 days between feeds to make sure he is extra hungry

    Here is a photo of the fella. He's a 2006 Male Pastel and only weighs 786g. I bought him in 2007 at 450g. That is 336 grams in 3 years :(

    My 2006 male normal now weighs 1700g.

    https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...009_065web.jpg
  • 09-25-2009, 02:47 PM
    Patrick Long
    Re: Problem Feeders...
    Live? FT? PK?
  • 09-25-2009, 02:50 PM
    Bobsean
    Re: Problem Feeders...
    Always been live
  • 09-25-2009, 02:55 PM
    Patrick Long
    Re: Problem Feeders...
    Try PK or FT

    I have some that will only take PK
  • 09-25-2009, 03:03 PM
    Bobsean
    Re: Problem Feeders...
    Interesting?! how do your snakes that take pre killed react to live prey?

    Do they show signs of disinterest or is it more of a cowering behavior?

    The behavior I notice is the cowering. I think he doesn't like them getting close to his head.
  • 09-25-2009, 03:05 PM
    Spaniard
    Re: Problem Feeders...
    Sounds to me like you have a mouser. One of my females will only feed on live mice, its a pain because of the availability of quality live feeders in my area but I tried very hard to get her to switch with no avail.

    Edit: She also cowered away as soon as she smelled the F/T rat or live rat when I offered. She would take a quick smell then go in her hide and block the hide entrance with her body.
  • 09-25-2009, 03:09 PM
    Bobsean
    Re: Problem Feeders...
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Spaniard View Post
    Sounds to me like you have a mouser. One of my females will only feed on live mice, its a pain because of the availability of quality live feeders in my area but I tried very hard to get her to switch with no avail.

    Edit: She also cowered away as soon as she smelled the F/T rat or live rat when I offered. She would take a quick smell then go in her hide and block the hide entrance with her body.

    Ahhh, This is what he does exactly.
  • 09-28-2009, 11:01 PM
    Bobsean
    Re: Problem Feeders...
    Woohoo!!! I'm so excited right now, I just need to tell someone.

    It's official, Mojo is no longer a mouser! He just took his first live rat.:bow:

    The trick turned out to be pre-scenting his cage. I followed all of my previous tricks with him such as, late night feeding and extra time between feeds to boost hunger. Then, I placed a rat in one of those clear critter cages you see at the pet stores and set it in front of his cage. I also opened the glass to let in the scent.

    Ten minuets later, he pokes his head out of his hide. He tastes the air with a few flicks of his tongue, and spots the prey. I see Mojo recoil into strike position and realize that this is my chance. So, carefully, I remove the rat from the critter cage and gently toss him into the tank. Then, *Wham* its a hit!!!

    The road to growth has just appeared for this fella!

    The trick now is reproducing the process and making this a regular occurrence.
  • 09-28-2009, 11:05 PM
    nixer
    Re: Problem Feeders...
    congrats!
    i have a few mousers:(
    i guess my tough love just isnt tough enough ive tried everything:please:
  • 09-28-2009, 11:58 PM
    Bobsean
    Re: Problem Feeders...
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by nixer View Post
    congrats!
    i have a few mousers:(
    i guess my tough love just isnt tough enough ive tried everything:please:

    Aw don't give up! I spent 3 years on this guy, and finally succeeded.
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