Well, that's one way to end up with a pet mouse

[WhompingWillow]

I sucked it up and bought a live mouse for our IJ today - she has only eaten twice in the two months we've had her. :/ In hindsight I was overly optimistic in trying to feed her tonight. It was probably too soon to offer after moving her to a smaller enclosure, and the large fuzzy (small hopper?) mouse was maybe a bit too big for her.

I was hoping hunger and the allure of a live meal would win out, but Bridget didn't go for it. She looked interested at first but then seemed to get a bit scared as the mouse approached her. I left it in her tub for about 40 minutes before removing. Maybe I should have left it in longer?

BUUUT... I made the mistake of giving the mouse a few pets after taking it out and it promptly fell asleep in my hand and looked very cute. So now we might have a pet mouse, whoops. I even ran to the store to get some KMR, just in case, because I'm not sure if it's completely weaned yet.

I'll try again with Bridget in a week with a smaller mouse. Hopefully she eats, but if not maybe Lucky will get a friend.

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[Jellybeans]

Go buy some Gerber rice cereal to mix up for it to offer also

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[WhompingWillow]

Go buy some Gerber rice cereal to mix up for it to offer also

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I'll go grab some tomorrow, thanks! It currently has water, some KMR in a dish (will change frequently), some plain pumpkin puree, and gerbil/hamster Oxbow pellets, both dry and softened. I've also offered KMR on a syringe tip and it's lapped it right up.

[dr del]

The size looks fine for the snake but, if the prey startles them it can definitely jolt them out of feeding mode.

On the plus side you can offer it again if you have the heart after taking care of it for a little while.

When feeding live you kind of have to have the supplies on hand to feed/ water any refused prey items - it's just part of the deal.

On another point a second hot side hide might be an idea to consider so the snake doesn't have to decide between security and temperature as they generally choose security.

[Jellybeans]

Awwwwe your doin great!

I'll go grab some tomorrow, thanks! It currently has water, some KMR in a dish (will change frequently), some plain pumpkin puree, and gerbil/hamster Oxbow pellets, both dry and softened. I've also offered KMR on a syringe tip and it's lapped it right up.

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[Bogertophis]

As a breeder of mice- since the eyes are open it should be able to eat OK, but it does look small for a hopper too, so it probably wasn't fully weaned yet.
It should make it OK though... Don't forget, we need to know it's name?

[WhompingWillow]

On another point a second hot side hide might be an idea to consider so the snake doesn't have to decide between security and temperature as they generally choose security.

Oh yes, Bridget (the IJ) does have two hides. I should have clarified that the tub photo is for the mouse now, lol. Temporary digs until it's bigger.

Thanks for tips on feeding live! It seems a lot more complicated to me after only doing F/T. With any future live feedings I need to do for her I'll be sure to NOT pet the mouse lol.

[WhompingWillow]

As a breeder of mice- since the eyes are open it should be able to eat OK, but it does look small for a hopper too, so it probably wasn't fully weaned yet.
It should make it OK though... Don't forget, we need to know it's name?

I named the mouse Lucky! Figured it was fitting. Pretty sure it's a girl after some Googling.

Thanks for the reassurance on food. She is very tiny but pretty plump. Doesn't seem to have the length of the F/T hoppers we have.

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[Jellybeans]

You can tell if it's a girl girls have nipples boys have none

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[Bogertophis]

I named the mouse Lucky! Figured it was fitting. Pretty sure it's a girl after some Googling.

Thanks for the reassurance on food. She is very tiny but pretty plump. Doesn't seem to have the length of the F/T hoppers we have.

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I HOPE it's a girl if you keep it as a pet. The males have more mouse odor to mark their territory & impress the ladies.
She should be able to take small seeds & grains ok too.