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  • 10-20-2019, 08:42 PM
    wonderwhitters
    Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    Good evening all!

    So we attempted to feed our BP for the first time tonight. He had numerous successful f/t feedings with the breeder. We waited a full 7 days from the time of his last meal & then attempted a rat fuzzy tonight. He's 107grams so far and it seemed like a very adequate size, and I believe similar in size to what he was eating at the breeders. Our attempt wasn't successful, and while I'm bummed out, I'm not angry or overly frustrated. I knew this could have potentially been something that happened.

    First question: I left the rat fuzzy under his warm side in his enclosure outside one of his hides. Has anyone ever been successful leaving the f/t in the enclosure and left your BP alone for him to find it? Or will that never work, and I need to just throw it out, and try again in a day or two? I tried the little dead rat dance with the feeding tongs for a really long while, and he sorta showed some interest, then seemed more nervous of it than anything else. I don't plan to leave it in there very long, as i know it will begin to collect bacteria, etc... just figured it was a last ditch effort for the night.

    Second question: While we are working out our feeding hiccups, how long can a juvenile BP go without food? He's a healthy weight currently and was eating wonderful for the breeder. I just do not wanna go too long between feedings and cause him any harm.

    Thanks for answering my questions. I'm sure somewhere on the forum people have asked these before, so if it's redundant, my apologies! I appreciate your time and advice! ♥
  • 10-20-2019, 08:47 PM
    Snakemom85
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    How hot was the rat? Blow it with a blow dryer until it is 100 degrees then off it immediately. If he shows interest but doesn't stole at it within a few seconds you might have to heat it up again then offer. If he still doesn't strike get it really warm again and drop it in front of him ( not too close) sometimes they won't strike because of the tongs.

    Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk
  • 10-20-2019, 08:52 PM
    wonderwhitters
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Snakemom85 View Post
    How hot was the rat? Blow it with a blow dryer until it is 100 degrees then off it immediately. If he shows interest but doesn't stole at it within a few seconds you might have to heat it up again then offer. If he still doesn't strike get it really warm again and drop it in front of him ( not too close) sometimes they won't strike because of the tongs.

    Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk

    Starting to think maybe i didn't have it warm enough for him. I used hot water and put him in a bag and then held it under the CHE for a few prior. I'll try the blow dryer. Thank you!
  • 10-20-2019, 08:52 PM
    Snakemom85
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    Your welcome [emoji4]. Let us know if it works.

    Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk
  • 10-20-2019, 09:05 PM
    wnateg
    I dont have any BP experience.

    But my suggestions are make sure you're heating it up correctly. I do:
    1) I put it from the freezer into a bowl (in a plastic bag or not) and run cold water over it for an hour
    2) switch to hot water for like 15 minutes
    3) blast it with a hairdryer for a few seconds

    And leaving it in the enclosure is not far fetched. You can leave it overnight. I have to do that with my scrub python, but surely someone with BP experience will know better if it works for them.

    Are you sure the breeder was feeding rats, and not mice?

    Also you say 7 days since his last meal. Is it his first meal with you? How long have you had him? He may require more time to get acclimated before he starts eating.
  • 10-20-2019, 09:10 PM
    dakski
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    Some snakes don't care too much, but BP's like to have those heat pits excited. Having said that, many people use hot water to defrost and this, at least partially, cooks the rodent. Snakes are designed to and want to eat raw prey.

    For my boas and corn snakes, who don't have heat pits, they are fine if I offer prey at room temperature. My carpet python and ball python like them warmed. However, that means in the end, not during the defrosting process. Again, don't cook the prey.

    I also agree with Wnateg that you need to find out exactly what your BP was eating prior. If it was mice, stick with mice for now. If it was rats, then rats are fine and see below.




    This is my step by step list on defrosting F/T rodents.

    Others may do it differently and that's fine. This how I do it and it works for me.


    STEPS FOR DEFROSTING F/T RODENTS/PREY

    1. Put prey item(s) into appropriate size plastic bag . I use Quart size ziplock bags up to a medium rat. NOTE: Bags are optional. Some people just throw the prey in the water. I like the bags, but you have to squeeze the air out of them.

    2. Fill the container/storage box 3/4 of the way with room temp to slightly warm water. If you have a temp gun (which you should, so if you don't, get one), make sure the water is not hotter than 85-90F, or there about.

    3. Put F/T prey item(s) in water. Cover (optional) and leave for an hour +/-.

    4. After an hour, rotate/flip prey. If in plastic bags, they often will stay on whatever side you put them in on. So if mouse is on left side, turn to right side, etc.

    5. Leave for another hour +/- for a TOTAL of about 2 hours (up to medium sized rat - longer if bigger prey).

    6. Check that prey is defrosted totally through. Squeeze at different sections of the preys body. Should be cool/room temp to touch, but be soft with no cold spots. If hard (except for bone), in abdomen, for example, or cold, put back in water until room temp and soft.

    7. Take prey out of the container/storage box and put aside. THEN FOLLOW STEPS 8-11 OR STEP 12

    8. Fill container with hot water from tap. If using temp gun, water temp should be 110-130F, not more.

    9. Drop prey item into water for 30 seconds +/-. If multiple prey items, do one at a time. You want each item hot when you offer.

    10. Remove (if hot water, with tongs).

    11. Dry as best as you can, and is quickly as you can, with paper towels. I dry with paper towels while I am walking from the bathroom where I defrost to the snake tanks. I kind of wrap the prey item up in them. It's ten feet, so by the time I get to the tanks, the prey is drier, but still warm.

    12. If not using hot water, use a hairdryer to heat rat so it entices snake

    13. Open tank and offer ASAP.
  • 10-20-2019, 09:15 PM
    303_enfield
    Heat it up an offer again. If no strikes just leave it near him. If it's still there in the a.m. throw it to the cat. BPs are great snakes, all my adults are drop feeders.

    Now, if your BP won't eat just wait another week. (An buy a rat snake) If the BP won't eat on week two, feed the rodent to the rat snake. It's good to have other snakes to feed missed meals.

    Good luck!
  • 10-20-2019, 09:24 PM
    wonderwhitters
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    Appreciate all the advice. So it’s not unsafe to leave in cage and remove in the am?
  • 10-20-2019, 09:26 PM
    dakski
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wonderwhitters View Post
    Appreciate all the advice. So it’s not unsafe to leave in cage and remove in the am?

    Assuming the rodent is properly stored/kept frozen, otherwise in good shape, and defrosted properly, I will leave up to 12 hours.
  • 10-20-2019, 10:14 PM
    gunkle
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    My smaller BP would only eat for the first 5 or 6 feeding with us if I left it in the enclosure over night. I'd get up in the morning and it would be gone. Wouldn't strike, would shy away from it when I did the zombie rat dance. Now he strikes and wraps every time. Just took a bit for him to get comfortable eating in front of us. I have to feed him every week and a half to two weeks. And a couple hours after dark like 10pm. My other BP I think would eat at noon in a crowd, she strikes sometimes while it's not quite in her enclosure yet. No issues after her settling in period.
  • 10-20-2019, 10:22 PM
    wonderwhitters
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    I’m really relieved reading all your responses. Gonna leave it overnight and take it out first thing if it’s not gone and try again in a few days with a mouse instead of a rat. And will follow everything y’all have said! I’ll let you know if I find an empty cage in the morning!
  • 10-20-2019, 10:29 PM
    Craiga 01453
    This is why I love it when people are prepared before bringing their animals home. Props to you we.:gj:
    Since you were prepared you're not stressing over it and understand its not uncommon.

    Onto your questions. Yes you can leave it overnight. Some snakes won't eat with an audience and only eat if you leave it and walk away.

    I think others are right about the heating technique too. You can always use a temp gun to check the temp of the prey before offering. Aim for about 100°
    Also keep in mind small prey cools quickly, so you may need to reheat a few times.
    You'll have it down in no time.

    I healthy well started juvenile can realistically go a couple months without eating, but obviously you want to work to avoid that. Getting him eating should be too priority right now.

    One thing to add, you don't want to offer again in a day or two like you mentioned. Offering too often can actually stress the snake and lead to further refusals. If it were me, I'd offer again in 5 days.

    Good luck! Keep us posted!
  • 10-21-2019, 12:47 PM
    wonderwhitters
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    Thank you again so much y'all! This is now constantly on my mind. I feel better knowing that it's only been 8 days since his last meal. Also the breeder gave him an additional meal two days prior to the meal he had before. (He always offers a final feeding 48 hours prior to shipping), so technically he got two feedings in the course of a few days prior to arriving to us. I am going to let him be for a couple days, keep temps and humidity in check, and then offer in a few days and see if he's interested.

    In my head I'm like omg what if he starves to death and dies? But I know I've got time to figure out what works best for him still, so I will keep diligent! Thank you again! Y'all are SO helpful & SO appreciated! ♥
  • 10-21-2019, 01:38 PM
    Craiga 01453
    Sounds like a great plan to me. :gj:

    Just a friendly reminder, husbandry and security are the two most important thing to getting them eating and thriving. So stay focused on those two things and you'll be good to go :)
  • 10-21-2019, 01:52 PM
    Moose84
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wonderwhitters View Post
    Good evening all!

    So we attempted to feed our BP for the first time tonight. He had numerous successful f/t feedings with the breeder. We waited a full 7 days from the time of his last meal & then attempted a rat fuzzy tonight. He's 107grams so far and it seemed like a very adequate size, and I believe similar in size to what he was eating at the breeders. Our attempt wasn't successful, and while I'm bummed out, I'm not angry or overly frustrated. I knew this could have potentially been something that happened.

    First question: I left the rat fuzzy under his warm side in his enclosure outside one of his hides. Has anyone ever been successful leaving the f/t in the enclosure and left your BP alone for him to find it? Or will that never work, and I need to just throw it out, and try again in a day or two? I tried the little dead rat dance with the feeding tongs for a really long while, and he sorta showed some interest, then seemed more nervous of it than anything else. I don't plan to leave it in there very long, as i know it will begin to collect bacteria, etc... just figured it was a last ditch effort for the night.

    Second question: While we are working out our feeding hiccups, how long can a juvenile BP go without food? He's a healthy weight currently and was eating wonderful for the breeder. I just do not wanna go too long between feedings and cause him any harm.

    Thanks for answering my questions. I'm sure somewhere on the forum people have asked these before, so if it's redundant, my apologies! I appreciate your time and advice! ♥

    What was the breeder feeding the animal? Live or FT? Also, what is the snake being housed in now?
  • 10-21-2019, 01:55 PM
    ballpythonsrock2
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wonderwhitters View Post
    Starting to think maybe i didn't have it warm enough for him. I used hot water and put him in a bag and then held it under the CHE for a few prior. I'll try the blow dryer. Thank you!

    With what you have mentioned here I don't think the problem was you didn't get it hot enough. It is more likely you cooked the feeder too much. It is very easy to do. I have done it. I have had the belly pop open with a awful smell. No wonder my snake wouldn't eat it.

    I myself prefer to let the feeder air thaw out for 2 of hours sitting on the enclosure letting the smell of the feeder entice my snake. I lay it belly up and after 2 hours I check it and if the belly is nice and soft and pliable (if not I check every 15 min.) then I heat it up with just the hair dryer. I use to use a heat bulb and dome but I found it is way to easy to over heat (cook) it.

    If you want to thaw in water instead of using hot water I would use cool faucet water. Which doesn't take long to thaw.
  • 10-21-2019, 02:09 PM
    Moose84
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Moose84 View Post
    What was the breeder feeding the animal? Live or FT? Also, what is the snake being housed in now?


    Correction** I see where you said it was having FT from the breeder... I apologize.. Now, lets talk about enclosure size.. You had posted something about getting this animal a t10 and said you were keeping it in a 20L... You had also posted this animal was being very defensive and chalked it up to "adjusting." Where the animal is indeed adjusting, in my opinion the enclosure it too large. This is why you were having the "bitey" and defensive issues and it's not at all surprising you are now having feeding issues.. They kind of go hand in hand.. The snake does indeed have decent size.. However, if you continue to have feeding issues I would consider moving him into a smaller enclosure..
  • 10-21-2019, 03:47 PM
    Bogertophis
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wonderwhitters View Post
    Appreciate all the advice. So it’s not unsafe to leave in cage and remove in the am?

    It's fine. When it comes to spoilage, I'm very fussy about thawing first in cold water before heating briefly for snakes that "need to feel the heat" with their sensing pits,
    but even I would leave it overnight if not taken right off. Mostly because (as already mentioned) some snakes are too shy to eat with you there or with a light on, so it's
    just a gamble: your snake is not likely to eat it once it cools off, so you might as well leave it & try, you'll be tossing it out either way.
  • 10-21-2019, 05:11 PM
    wonderwhitters
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Moose84 View Post
    What was the breeder feeding the animal? Live or FT? Also, what is the snake being housed in now?

    20L Zilla Terrarium, with CHE/UTH combo. 4 hides. lots of clutter. coco husk/reptibark mix as substrate. (Planning eventually to upgrade to an Animal Plastics enclosure). The breeder successfully fed f/t hoppers/fuzzies.
  • 10-21-2019, 05:13 PM
    Moose84
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wonderwhitters View Post
    20L Zilla Terrarium, with CHE/UTH combo. 4 hides. lots of clutter. coco husk/reptibark mix as substrate. (Planning eventually to upgrade to an Animal Plastics enclosure). The breeder successfully fed f/t hoppers/fuzzies.


    Yeah. Like I stated.. That might be a bit large regardless of clutter. If he continues to refuse food you might have to switch to a smaller enclosure..
  • 10-21-2019, 05:54 PM
    Snakemom85
    Re: Couple First Time Feeding Questions
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wonderwhitters View Post
    20L Zilla Terrarium, with CHE/UTH combo. 4 hides. lots of clutter. coco husk/reptibark mix as substrate. (Planning eventually to upgrade to an Animal Plastics enclosure). The breeder successfully fed f/t hoppers/fuzzies.

    I use this exact setup but with 3 hides and I have never had a feeding problem with my guy. The first time I tried to feed him he did not take it right away so I left him with it for a few hours. When he still hasn't eaten it I put it in a bag and dunked it in hot water ( from the tap probably no more than 110)...took it out offered it again immediately and Bam he took it no problem. I do however thaw in cold water first then either dunk in hot for a couple minutes or use the blow dryer trick to eat the face of the rat up to about 100 degrees.

    Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk
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