Hissing [emoji52]

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Originally Posted by HeathBish

That sounds sensible. I like it. He seemed interested and laid on it and smelled its entire body but then left. So I left it for a half hour and then took it out. He used to live so it may take some coaxing. I guess we will see what he's up to on Tuesday. If he's out and about and shed then I'll try. If not I'll skip it for week.

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If he is still in shed by then, I'd wait.

With a healthy snake, it can't hurt to try. They will either eat or not. Personally, I never offer while in shed. I feel their body uses resources during shedding, bodily fluids, etc. During digestion the body is also hard at work, needs the fluids, energy, etc.

Since your boy was heavily dehydrated, I'd give his body more time to recover before asking it to perform the double duty of shedding and digesting at the same time.

After that, you can offer once the week. If he still refuses, offer 2 weeks later. After that you may have to go to a smaller then usual "live" rat (with supervision !!!) Once you jump start their metabolism, they usually get so hungry that they will then accept F/T without to much fuss, given its presented at the right time (late, dark) and really warmed well, through and through. :)

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Originally Posted by zina10

If he is still in shed by then, I'd wait.

With a healthy snake, it can't hurt to try. They will either eat or not. Personally, I never offer while in shed. I feel their body uses resources during shedding, bodily fluids, etc. During digestion the body is also hard at work, needs the fluids, energy, etc.

Since your boy was heavily dehydrated, I'd give his body more time to recover before asking it to perform the double duty of shedding and digesting at the same time.

After that, you can offer once the week. If he still refuses, offer 2 weeks later. After that you may have to go to a smaller then usual "live" rat (with supervision !!!) Once you jump start their metabolism, they usually get so hungry that they will then accept F/T without to much fuss, given its presented at the right time (late, dark) and really warmed well, through and through. :)

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Sounds good. The waiting if still in shed part, I mean lol. The live feeding is something I'm going to struggle with. I don't know that I can watch [emoji21] I understand the cycle and appreciate it but actually watching... I'm a huge animal lover. That's going to be tough.

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Originally Posted by HeathBish

Sounds good. The waiting if still in shed part, I mean lol. The live feeding is something I'm going to struggle with. I don't know that I can watch [emoji21] I understand the cycle and appreciate it but actually watching... I'm a huge animal lover. That's going to be tough.

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Unfortunately, it comes with the territory when keeping snakes. Gotta take the good with the bad.
I HATE having to feed live, but my Borneo Short Tail boy needs a live jumpstart occasionally. It sucks, but if you're gonna keep snakes you have to be prepared for live feeding being a possibility.
Getting an adult snake that had been on live it's whole life may prove challenging as far as switching him over.

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Originally Posted by HeathBish

Sounds good. The waiting if still in shed part, I mean lol. The live feeding is something I'm going to struggle with. I don't know that I can watch [emoji21] I understand the cycle and appreciate it but actually watching... I'm a huge animal lover. That's going to be tough.

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It is tough. It's actually become harder for me then it used to be. Especially since rat pups and weanlings are really ridiculously adorable [emoji25]

That is why you wait a bit and try FT. But switching adults is harder. And they take longer to get used to a new home. On top of that even established and unstressed adults sometimes take months off of feeding. My huge male will take a break between 6 to 8 month the last couple of years. He certainly isn't skinny or unhealthy.

You already know that you will need to do what it takes, though. You took him in and now he only has you to look after his needs. Usually, if you do have to go to live it will be enough to get them taking one meal and getting hungry, before you can switch. You need to see if he will be taking anything at all.

But again, if he is well hydrated and looking good otherwise, just offer once the week or once every other week for now. Don't give in right away.

Good luck [emoji4]


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I will do what it takes. No matter how hard it will be. But I'm going to try a couple more times with f/t. If not, I'll get him what he's yearning for [emoji23]

Thank you, both! Much appreciated!

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Just wanted to give an update since you all helped so much! Slitherz is doing well. No more "hissing" and he ate a f/t rat! He's on the right path. Thank you so much again!

My daughter holding him. I just love seeing them together... https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2ed228f1c7.jpg

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There you go [emoji4] glad everything is working out so well. They both look quite happy [emoji4]


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Beautiful! I'm so proud of you! And that looks like a happy :snake: too! :gj:

Thank you [emoji846]

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Yay!! Happy to hear it!!!
Thanks for the update and keep up the good work!