Kills but doesn't eat it?

[Lolo76]

For the second week in a row, Mona has killed her live rat - but not eaten it. Last week I thought it was because the rat got stuck under the water dish, but this time everything seemed to go fine. So why isn't she eating them? She refuses F/T, but until now has always taken live quite aggressively. Oh, and I doubt she's in shed, since that just happened about 2 weeks ago. Any thoughts??

[tank4102]

well i have heard if u cut a little bit of the rats head and let it bleed a little it would do the trick

[bads15]

are you sure your not waiting long enough? sometimes when they are feeling a little insecure they like to wait a bit before they start to eat. just something i have noticed in the past.

[specialk01510]

How are you feeding? Like what time are you doing it? Are the lights on in the room?

I always feed at dusk. I keep the lights off in my room or my pastel wont eat. I gotta do it at dusk cuz if I wait longer then I cant see and it screws me over.

Good luck, I hope it works out.

[NorthernRegius]

After she's got it wrapped & under control- leave the room. Lights off & then check in the morning... she's probably wanting privacy.

[Lolo76]

She is a shy eater, so I always leave her alone... I just throw in the rat and leave the room, and usually she kills and eats it quickly. Since she's never refused live in the past, why is it only recently she hasn't been eating it?

[Lolo76]

are you sure your not waiting long enough? sometimes when they are feeling a little insecure they like to wait a bit before they start to eat. just something i have noticed in the past.

I left it in her tub for a good 3 hours before removing it - she was desperately trying to escape by that point.

[Lolo76]

well i have heard if u cut a little bit of the rats head and let it bleed a little it would do the trick

This was a LIVE rat, so I couldn't really do that...

[bamf64]

You should NEVER leave a live rodent in a tank alone with any reptile. theres always a chance something could go rong.

[Lolo76]

You should NEVER leave a live rodent in a tank alone with any reptile. theres always a chance something could go rong.

Usually I stand right outside the door to secretly supervise - she simply won't eat if I stand in view.