Helpful tip for fussy BP f/t eaters

I have always served my rodents up hot and wet, but since my BP passed up a meal recently I am going to switch to the dry method to see if the change gets him eating again.

I like the idea of extra water though, so if he was still eating like a champ I would still be wetting them down.

I'm glad for this thread since it made me think about it :gj:

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Originally Posted by drugaria

Well as I said you certanly have to try the method I mensioned earlyer with your 2 other picky eaters. Temperature of rodent seems to be very critical for some BP since they seem to use their heath pits primarily and thus won't strike even if rodent smells strong. The other thing is that BPs are not much of a drinkers so for one the extra water on the rodent is actually beneficial for them and second a wet rodent is easyer to swallow than a dry one .

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Not much of a drinkers???? I'm not sure what you mean here, mine drinks fresh water reliably without fail and then messes in her tub just to prove it...

If their husbandry is up to the level that it should be, they *will not* allow themselves to become dehydrated by refusing water, so if they get extra from a soaking wet rat they're just going to drink less to make up for it.

I don't remember where I read it (maybe it was here, maybe not) but it said to soak them in a bag so not to wash the scent off. I don't know if it's true but the bag method has worked for us. In fact, the first feeding, my son didn't use a bag and just soaked the prey in water and it took longer for her to take it. Now that he uses the bag, she takes it right away without fail. Also, when it was wet, she was butt muncher instead of taking it head first (I'm not saying the lack of using a bag was the reason). If the heat is the main reason why you are doing it, I don't see how a little thin plastic bag will make any difference in heating it.

But, whatever works best for you is how it should be done, provided it's safe for the bp.

I tried the dry method with my snake and found he prefers the rodent to be a little wet.so thats exactly what I do ..run it under hot water from the tap place it in a washcloth that absorbs some water and right to the snake..he goes for it everytime.. I picked up a new one 2 weeks ago and not sure how she like them..the guy I got her from said he fed her fresh killed so I would assume then dry would be the way to go..Ill try and hope for the best..

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Originally Posted by TanyaL

I don't remember where I read it (maybe it was here, maybe not) but it said to soak them in a bag so not to wash the scent off.

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I feed my f/t wet and I don't believe it washes the scent off. As soon as I walk in with my "bowl" full of f/t wet rats, all my bps that take f/t are at the front of their tubs in expectation.

...and I have a few overzealous eaters that will come flying out of the tub for their snack if I'm not careful.

ok I tried the wet method on our new girl she didnt seem too interested until I soaked the mouse put it right in front of her nose and it was dripping on her ..thats when she decided hmmm GOOD EATS!! yeah..thanks alot for the advise :banana:

I generally thaw mine out in a plastic ziplock bag submerged in hot water. When I get the mouse/rat out they are generally pretty moist just from the thawing. I've noticed that this gets a strike much faster than ones I've dried off.