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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.
  • 09-29-2009, 08:57 AM
    trott
    Re: Problem Feeders...
    Good deal. Prescenting is always a big key. And worst case go with a live rat pup just to get them back and running.
    I have one tough feeder and i will actually put foam board in front of his enclosure to make it completely enclosed and dark. And with the prescenting i can keep him on a 7-10 day schedule. But he's much smaller than all my morphs(which are younger) who eat FT rats like their addicted to the stuff.
  • 09-29-2009, 09:03 AM
    Freakie_frog
    Re: Problem Feeders...
    I have a mojave female that is an 06 and is only 900 grams she just took her first meal since 3-15-2009 this sunday. I have found that ASF's (if you can get them) are a great mouse substitute. I have a snake that will pound large ASF's but wont touch a Rat that size, so she gets an ASF and all is well.

    I have long been a believer that you'll save yourself alot of headache if you'll get out of the "they have to eat this" mentality. Feed them what they'll eat. Slow growers is all part of the gig..
  • 09-29-2009, 09:24 AM
    Bobsean
    Re: Problem Feeders...
    Quote:

    I have one tough feeder and i will actually put foam board in front of his enclosure to make it completely enclosed and dark. And with the prescenting i can keep him on a 7-10 day schedule.
    This is a great idea! I think I will utilize this the next time I try to feed during the day.

    Quote:

    I have long been a believer that you'll save yourself alot of headache if you'll get out of the "they have to eat this" mentality. Feed them what they'll eat. Slow growers is all part of the gig..
    You pose a very good point!

    Also, I feel a lot better now that I know someone else has a sub 1000g 2006er.

    Thanks for the comments!
  • 10-02-2009, 10:15 AM
    trott
    Re: Problem Feeders...
    [QUOTE=Bobsean;1171915]This is a great idea! I think I will utilize this the next time I try to feed during the day.

    Yeah, just put the board up ahead of time the give them time to settle.
  • 10-02-2009, 10:54 AM
    syvil
    Re: Problem Feeders...
    Congrats pre-scenting does wonders! I've had my guy for almost 3 months now and he has yet to skip a meal even during a shed he still eats.
  • 10-02-2009, 01:06 PM
    Pied
    Re: Problem Feeders...
    i have 09 pastel male, i got it 20.8 and he havent eat anything yet and hes so small!! should i been worried? i have been tryied everything! how long he can be without food??
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