My BP Tuesday finally took her first rat. I was starting to think she would be an ASF muncher for life, which would not be so bad if the boogs grew faster and I didn't have to give her 3-5 juvies to make a meal.
I just moved, and as a result all the snakes were behind one feeding. I was feeding and had larger ASFs, but at the last second figured I would try her with a 21 day old rat.
I took the wee rat and gave it a bath in ASF pinks and pups. I should have grabbed a pic, it was about knee deep in squirmers. Then I rubbed her down with them. She seemed to take all of this in stride.
Poor thing... just one final indignity.
Placed her in with the snake and immediately Tuesday came out to investigate. Usually she is out and hits immediately, and she has never even come out when offered a rat before, so this was a good sign.
It took about 20 minutes for her to hit, but she did and dispatched of the rat quickly and efficiently.... which was good, as I am always concerned with a jump up in prey size.
I think it was a combination of the missed feed building up hunger, and the scenting with the ASF babes. I will scent the next few feeds and see how it goes.
Getting her on bigger pups and on regular rats will be a huge relief. She was an assist feed baby and did not take her first meal till she was close to six months old... she is still tiny and up till this point has only been taking ASFs.
Here is a pic... I know that pics are mandatory.
I think she is pretty darn cute personally (and terribly shy - I never see that poor snake's face).
Thanks for reading,
Bruce
PS: she is het for VPI Axanthic.