:: Stuborn Eaters ::

[Deven]

Okay, i know sometimes snakes can be stuborn. it's cool. but i've got a 7 month old that won't take FT or just killed pups or mice? I first tried mice as he's just under a year, and then the rat pups. he's not trying to flee but rather just snooping around.

thnx in advance.

[Andrew00]

I have read in someplaces that you should try scenting the food with the scent of the normal prey items of a ball python like a gerbil. I don't have any expirience in this, but its just a suggestion.

[DrEwTiMe]

yes if you are not feeding live i have herd to dip the mouse in chicken broth as well, one of the people at a pet shop told me to try that if i ever had problems.

[Deven]

I have read in someplaces that you should try scenting the food with the scent of the normal prey items of a ball python like a gerbil. I don't have any expirience in this, but its just a suggestion.

won't that keep the snake looking for those and not mice or rats?

[lucky8926]

Make sure the f/t is the right temp. My BP won't show any interest unless prey is around 98 degrees. What I do is thaw it out then place under heat lamp until it reaches a little over 100 degrees that way once he gets done "killing" it the prey will still be the proper temp that live prey would be.

[Deven]

I've done that. i normally bag them up, and in a tall tuperware i thaw and heat them. then as i've had issues with the youngsters hitting the middles, i heat the head up a bit more.

Some one said to just get a medium mouse and just stuff it in, that seems a bit barberic(sp) though. This would get the gut a bit of something and start the appitite.

I'm not going to worry about it though. could be nothing...

[Schlyne]

Some one said to just get a medium mouse and just stuff it in, that seems a bit barberic(sp) though. This would get the gut a bit of something and start the appitite.

Very very bad idea. Force feeding is extremely stressful to a snake and should only be used as a last resort after a vet visit (assuming the vet recommends it) and the snake is losing a lot of weight.

[Deven]

That's what i thought. i mean really, cramming a food item down the throat just sounds wrong - Thnx