Cranky and Moody Girl

She could also just be feeling the seasonal change. Reptiles seem very sensitive to barometric changes. Trying a live rat isn't a bad idea, but I doubt that hunger has anything to do with what sounds like very defensive behavior.

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Originally Posted by anwhit

It's pretty much impossible for me to get her on them. I've tried everything from scenting to braining and she still wouldn't take it. The only thing I haven't tried is live but I am very very hesitant to do so. I've got bitten by a rat before and man that's not fun, their teeth are terrifying. I'm too afraid that she'll get hurt.

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You don't grab live rats with your hands, squeeze them to death, then eat them whole for a living. Your snake is well equipped to eat live rodents. Far better equipped than you are.

I have a friend with 40 snakes. They all eat live. No issues.

There are people on here who have done thousands and thousands of live feedings with no issues.

Try a live rat.

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Originally Posted by 200xth

You don't grab live rats with your hands, squeeze them to death, then eat them whole for a living. Your snake is well equipped to eat live rodents. Far better equipped than you are.

I have a friend with 40 snakes. They all eat live. No issues.

There are people on here who have done thousands and thousands of live feedings with no issues.

Try a live rat.

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Woah hey look, I'm not knocking live, at all. There is a huge difference between not agreeing with it and not feeling comfortable with it. I'm not a breeder, nor do I have a big collection, she is a very loved pet. I was just simply saying that if a rat can hurt me, a 5 foot human, it can probably hurt a 3ft snake. I know there are a lot of precautions one could take but not having fed live before you have to understand that I am allowed to be nervous.

And besides, I highly doubt not being fed rats is why she's soaking and throwing a fit. The only reason why I wrote what she was eating was to simply state that she was, in fact, eating.

It sounds like you are doing everything right.

My only thought is about the new hide, since she is avoiding it. Did you wash it thoroughly before putting it in the enclosure? If it has a scent she finds offensive, maybe she's overheating herself to avoid it.

Good luck!

How long has it been since she shed?

I totally understand you not wanting/being nervous to feed live.
As an aside, if you really want to switch her to f/t rats, I personally would wait one or two weeks to feed - kinda wait until she is really hungry, but not starving by any means. Then offer the rat - perhaps close to the same size as the largest mouse you would normally offer her, scented with the mouse - in the exact same way you'd offer the mice.

If she refuses, leave it in with her for several hours. If she doesn't take it, remove and try again in a week. I think if you are persistant enough, she will get hungry and eat. Although I know they can be really stubborn......

I hope you figure out what's been going on though. Hopefully it is nothing.

Best of luck to you!

Alright guys, I think it's official.

She wants a boyfriend.

I caught her laying inverted when I went to check on her. Welp.