Feeding

So I was thinking about feeding my little baby today but im not sure if i should...
The last time I fed her was sunday and with a live mouse. Now I want to try a frozen thawed mouse, but im not sure if i should do it today or wait two more days so shes less picky about what she eats. Also I dont know anywhere that sells live mice. (unless you count like petsmart as a pet)
The breeder I got her from didnt even know where to buy them so he just gave me one of his that he brought with him to the repitle show.

I buy all my lives either from a local petshop or petco. I try to avoid the local shop because I disagree with how they keep their animals. Pretty dirty.

I've had virtually 0 luck on getting my snake to switch over, he's coiled and struck one but then left it alone after he was done. Best of luck on it though c: will make feeding a lot less stressful for both you and your snake if you can get em on already dead ones.

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Originally Posted by Deacon240

I buy all my lives either from a local petshop or petco. I try to avoid the local shop because I disagree with how they keep their animals. Pretty dirty.

I've had virtually 0 luck on getting my snake to switch over, he's coiled and struck one but then left it alone after he was done. Best of luck on it though c: will make feeding a lot less stressful for both you and your snake if you can get em on already dead ones.

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So are they like bred to be feeders or just like a pet mouse. Also when I fed her the live one after she killed it she kind of lost interest and started moving away from it so I put it up by her and she struck at it then ate it. So, since it was already dead maby she wont have a problem eating a frozen one? I dont know...

I'd say it's okay to try to feed now if it's her regular feeding day. Just make sure the mouse is nice and warm when you offer it. It helps to make the mouse dance too. lol

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Originally Posted by Fallout32

I'd say it's okay to try to feed now if it's her regular feeding day. Just make sure the mouse is nice and warm when you offer it. It helps to make the mouse dance too. lol

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Well I dont know what her feeding schedule was. I think the breeder was doing it every week but I read babies should be fed every 5 days or so. I guess when ever they accept food but yeah....
Mouse-:banana:

Every 5 days is acceptable for a hatchling. I would say give the f/t a try.

Im thawing it out right now. What if she doesnt take it? Cant they be refrozen or should I just throw it out?
Im excited... i hope she eats it!

5 days is fine, some people do every 7, then some do every 3. I started off with every 7, but then I switched to every 5 because I want my anaconda to get a little size on her quicker. Try the frozen thawed, just make sure its fully thawed, and you have the head a bit warmer then the rest of the body, just hold it by the tail and wiggle it in front of your snake, or use tongs if you have them.

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Originally Posted by I<3Dreamsicles

Im thawing it out right now. What if she doesnt take it? Cant they be refrozen or should I just throw it out?
Im excited... i hope she eats it!

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I wouldn't re-freeze anything, if she doesn't take it, then I would throw it away, or if you have another snake feed it to them.

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Originally Posted by I<3Dreamsicles

So are they like bred to be feeders or just like a pet mouse. Also when I fed her the live one after she killed it she kind of lost interest and started moving away from it so I put it up by her and she struck at it then ate it. So, since it was already dead maby she wont have a problem eating a frozen one? I dont know...

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Feeders and pets are the same at both places I purchase them. Kinda feel bad when some little kid sees me getting a rat and they point and say something to their parent about me getting a pet rat and they want one... Lol

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Originally Posted by Neal

I wouldn't re-freeze anything, if she doesn't take it, then I would throw it away, or if you have another snake feed it to them.

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I agree with refreezing being not recommended. Each time you freeze cells ice crystals degrade and destroy the cell walls making the meat bad. At least that's what I learned while working in a meat department. I'd assume rats/mice would be the same deal since they are sorta like little steaks for our snakes :P

I've heard that refreezing isn't bad as long as it hasn't been thawed for too long (no point in refreezing a mouse that has started to decay). The refreezing will break down the cells more, which to us makes undesirable meat, but it makes it easier for the snakes to digest.

Both of mine are on F/T. My adult male makes a big production out of it. He will swing and slam the rat all over the tank, like he wrestling or tenderizing it. He was already converted when I got him. My small one I had to convert myself. Initially he didn't want anything to do with them so I would give in and feed live. Finally I just started offering only thawed. He is a shy eater so I would place the rat in front of his hide, shut off the lights, and go to bed. If the rat was there in the morning I would toss it. He refused 3 times, but on the fourth time I guess he got hungry enough because he ate it that night. Now, that is his schedule. I have seen him eating, usually within 2 hours of me placing the rat in the tank. So once you start trying to convert your snake, don't give up. It's also a good idea to monitor your snakes weight, because some just won't take F/T. Hope this helps and good luck...


Rob

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Originally Posted by Deacon240

Feeders and pets are the same at both places I purchase them. Kinda feel bad when some little kid sees me getting a rat and they point and say something to their parent about me getting a pet rat and they want one... Lol

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ahahahah thats horrible. They want a pet rat so bad and your just getting one to kill it :colbert: lol.

well she ate it!
it wasnt even hard. the only thing is that she swallowed it backwards... :oops:
lol. and another thing which brings up a new question. While she was eating I noticed she was missing some scales under her mouth/jaw. whats up with that? :confused: is this bad or will they come back?



http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...feeding011.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...feeding013.jpg

and heres some others of the feeding, size comparison with my hand.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...feeding010.jpg

and the figure 8 lol

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...feeding008.jpg

Hi,

The bit you think is missing scales is perfectly normal - they all have it but you can only really see it on a shed skin or when it is stretched open when they are eating. The rest of the time it just looks like a line under their jaw. :)


dr del

Congratulations... I call that that line their stretch mark...


Rob