Hello From Alexander and His Mum

Just to let you all know Alexander is doing well. I brought him out last night and let him sit with me in the computer corner. He seemed pretty relaxed even with puppies and kitties anf ferrets flying past him. It's funny, non of the other members of the fur and feather family even cares he's around. They are not in the least upset.

I'm going to try to feed him tomorrow. I bought a feeding box yesterday and I'm off tomorrow. The pet store hadn't fed him yet and he's been there about a week as it is.

QUESTION LIST:

1. Is there a better time of day to do this?

2. It's a frozen hopper. How long at room temp will it take to defrost?

3. Should I put him in the feeding box first for a while? Or just put him in when it's dinner time?

4. Procedure....Wiggle the dead mouse in front of him with tongs...If he doesn't take it immediately, do I just close the lid and let him figure it out for himself?

Other hints?

Hi and Welcome! I like what you did with that aquarium. How does it hold humidity? I have to cover my tops, because it's Kansas and has been a really dry winter. Blah.

QUESTION LIST:

1. Is there a better time of day to do this?
I present late morning and feed late afternoon. You will know when he's hungry if you are pre-scenting. Mine slowly wake up and when I see them searching for the food I feed. If you aren't going to pre-scent probably late evening. If he's hungry enough it won't matter. lol. Once he smells that food he'll be awake in no time.

2. It's a frozen hopper. How long at room temp will it take to defrost?
I thaw mine out in hot water. It takes no time at all. 30 min tops. But you could just set it in a Tupperware container and poke some holes it. Let it thaw out during the day next to your bps enclosure. This will get him pre-scented. You will probably have to run it under hot water or a blow dryer to get it really warm.

3. Should I put him in the feeding box first for a while? Or just put him in when it's dinner time?
I can't help you here. I feed in my enclosures for all of them. It's less stress on the snake. Don't worry about him becoming cage aggressive by feeding him in the enclsure. It's a myth. They shouldn't be handled for 48 hrs after a meal, so if you choose to move him be really careful. Regurgitation stinks, and is not good for little bp's.

4. Procedure....Wiggle the dead mouse in front of him with tongs...If he doesn't take it immediately, do I just close the lid and let him figure it out for himself?
Yes. :) Do the zombie dance, and give him a little time. Most likely if he doesn't take it in 20 - 30 min. He's not hungry.

Other hints?
Just a suggestion for hides. I use tupperware bowls. The little ones. I cut a hole in the side (some do the top too) and paint them. It's cheap and can be a lot of fun for kids.

Thanks. I think I will try to feed him in his home. Do I put the mouse in his den or just outside it if he doesn't strike at it?

I just checked his bedding when you asked about the humidity. It seemed a bit dry so I misted it. I'll put a glass panel in the screen to one side to trap moister better. Should I put it on the side of his den/heated side or the side that has the water bowl?

I didn't have funds for the thermometer/humidly reader combo. I did this on short funds so I'll get it payday. Then I can see if everything is okay.

Should I hold him for a bit and put him back and feed him right after? That way I know he's well awake.

Here's a couple more pictures...

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...Alexander6.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...Alexander5.jpg

Put it outside his den. If he's not ready to eat he'll go into his den and hide. You wouldn't want supper in bed with you right? Lol. Give it little wiggles too. The little ones can be a bit off on their strike. :)

I think I would put the panel on the warm side. I don't think it would matter. If you are having trouble with humidity, you can take a sponge, or moss, get it a little moist and put it in there. Just watch out for mold.

You can hold him before feeding. It's really depends on the Ball. Some get stressed if you handle them, and need to relax a little before you feed them. Others are such great eaters, they would eat out of your hand (not recommended). Lol. I thought the same thing and used to "wake" mine up too. Then i realized they really didn't need it. If they are hungry enough they'll wake right up and look for dinner. Especially if you pre-scent.

I feed on Sundays, so i have to get everyone taken care of before the pet store closes at 5. So, I just put a cage full of rats in the room before lunch. Usually within the hour the ones who are ready to eat are out looking for food. He will learn a routine too. They know when it's feeding day. :)

He is a good looking guy.

That didn't go well..........I wiggled and jiggled it and he looked at it like..."You must be crazy" He actually acted like he was scared of it. He wouldn't even sniff it. I took him and let him sniff the rat and the guinea pig cages and he was curious. Funny he really wasn't so much interested in the rats though. Just the piggies. You would almost think he was rodent phobic. But obviously he isn't cause he's 3 months old.

I didn't have any chicken broth in the house so I couldn't find out if that would work.

I'm curious. Ibought two dead mice and one was brown and smaller. That's the one I tried, since he's little. And the other is white and a bit bigger and plumper. Does size and shape and color matter as to whether they accept it?

Oh I tried it in the den and out. I thought being on the heating pad would make it more appetizing....Not! I put it on the second level, where he likes to go alot.....And nothing.....Other than the reaction of "Get this dead thing away from me" look.

I think he maybe used to a feeding box since the shop said not to feed him in his home.

Should I try the other mouse this weekend or wait longer since he's being stuborn?

Here's something to think about.........The position of the cage. I don't think he like being between everyone else. So I moved him over the sink, which is to the right of my bed. It's a travel trailer.He came out of his hidey hole immediately and explored all over. His new spot is next to the window. It has blinds but there area couple of cracks to look out of. And he's also in eye sight of the TV now.

The odd thing about him is that he doesn't care to be in his den. He likes the second level. The temp is 78-82 usually and the humidity is about 35. Does that sound right? His skin is cool and soft to the touch. And he's curious about everything. In fact he's on top of his bridge looking into the room right now looking quite happy

Just a sig check