almost a successful feed!

[piper]

Did you have all of the lights on when you were feeding?

Were you standing right over top of him/her watching?

I have had some take but when they see you they let it go because they get scared.. Also, if they let it go, just leave it in there, don't mess with it, they may look around for a bit before actually eating.

Cheers,

Mike

[Watever]

I put the rodent to defreeze only 30-60 minutes before feeding. I feed as late as possible.

I feed in the enclosure. Once they are thawed, I put them in ziplock bags and in hot warm water (no boil just hot water from the tap). My bigger snake doesn't refuse it. If they do, I leave them in the container and they are usually gone when I wake up. If it happens they are not, I put that rat under a lamp for a few minutes and offer it to another one. If not taken, it's trashed.

For the smaller one, I kinda do the same. But if they don't tag it when I present them, I put them under a lamp for a few minutes or even seconds (really close), mostly on the head and present it back right away to the snake. It will usually tag it, just giggle a little bit etc... If after a little while he doesn't go for it, I leave it in the container. If not eated the next morning, I reheat it under the lamp and offer it to another one. Just like I do with adults.

Hope this help !

[nivek5225]

Did you have all of the lights on when you were feeding?

Were you standing right over top of him/her watching?

I have had some take but when they see you they let it go because they get scared.. Also, if they let it go, just leave it in there, don't mess with it, they may look around for a bit before actually eating.

Cheers,

Mike

Yes, and Yes. That is probably exactly what happened, he grabbed the mouse, but then saw me and got scared! Next time i'll have to try warming the mouse more, and feeding in his enclosure at night.

Thanks for all the responses everyone! I wish i could try feeding him now and not waiting another week, i'm excited to see what happens!

[blackcrystal22]

Yes, and Yes. That is probably exactly what happened, he grabbed the mouse, but then saw me and got scared! Next time i'll have to try warming the mouse more, and feeding in his enclosure at night.

Thanks for all the responses everyone! I wish i could try feeding him now and not waiting another week, i'm excited to see what happens!

An hour of just plain air-thawing doesn't sound like enough. Make sure to feel the mouse through for any cold points inside. I suggest running it under hot water for about 20-30 minutes to get it pretty well thawed.

Once he grabs the mouse, just leave and turn off the lights. If he doesn't grab, leave it in front of the hide and come back in about an hour or so.

[p3titexburial]

Ah, one more thing, it may be the way you're wriggling it--my newly acquired female gets scared it if I'm dangling it but will go for it if I'm shaking it side to side, or "walking" it on the floor. There also seems to be less of a miss as well when it comes to striking--although I don't know if this is simply an individual characteristic.

[OldHippie]

Ah, one more thing, it may be the way you're wriggling it--my newly acquired female gets scared it if I'm dangling it but will go for it if I'm shaking it side to side, or "walking" it on the floor. There also seems to be less of a miss as well when it comes to striking--although I don't know if this is simply an individual characteristic.

Yes, I find it helpful to add an audible cue by dragging the rat's feet across the astroturf along the bottom of the enclosure. I concur that dangling didn't work for me - hey, since when do rodents fly?