Gerbil super powers.

[Mrs Brisby]

Okay, so I've had my BP for 6 months now, and shes still doing fantastic. I love her and wanted to get her a treat since my local feeder supplier had a deal on gerbils, 2 for $12. So I got a rat and a couple gerbils.

See, this was my initial mistake. Since I cant get to my supplier very often, and don't deal with breeding myself, I always buy 4-5 weeks of food at once, feed one when I get home, then take care of the rest until their time is up.

This time, I fed the rat, and put the gerbils in the cage.. and omg... I just... these damn things are cute. They're still likey to get fed simply because, well, in a week or so that rat is gonna be done and my snake will be hungry....

But I still find myself regretting this and considering keeping them.

Anyone else encounter gerbils manipulating them with their cute behavior?

[Royal Hijinx]

I would be more concerned of the super flavor powers they have for your snake, and she getting stuck liking them....

[satomi325]

I agree that they are super cute. But I highly recommend not feeding gerbils to your snake. They're like crack to Ball Pythons and your snake can get addicted to them. At that point, it may be very difficult to get it to eat rats again. Some don't ever switch back.

Also, snakes don't need treats....

[Slim]

Please do not feed your snake gerbils. I know you think you're giving your snake a special treat, but what you would really be doing is setting yourself up for hard times down the road.

Ball pythons don't need or even recognize "special" prey items.

Ball pythons will often imprint on gerbils and will refuse to feed on anything else. The ONLY cases I'm aware of where a BP was willing to starve themselves to death rather than break a fast, all involved the feeding of gerbils.

In addition, gerbils have large, sharp rodent teeth, and are very willing to use them.

[Rob]

In addition, gerbils have large, sharp rodent teeth, and are very willing to use them.

X2 as cute as they are they are mean little buggers with razor sharp teeth. If your snake misses or is hesitant it will get bit. And yes again gerbils are snake crack. Only feed as a last resort, not a treat.

[satomi325]

So....... I guess this is congratulations on the new pets!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Advice for the future BP don't need treats.

BP are known to be finicky eaters the best way to make this happen is to alternate preys even more so with gerbils.

Hamsters & Gerbils are like crack for BP if your BP imprint it could take months to switch back and given the price of gerbils it might not be the best idea.

You should feed what is readily available and think about the future as well, what if you had to re-home your BP? Re-homing an animal that is eating expensive preys which are not always readily available could be an issue.

Finally remember that gerbils are much more aggressive than rats and have some pretty long teeth.

As you can see not the best idea.

Enjoy your pet gerbil and watch your fingers

[Mrs Brisby]

Wow.


Well then, I guess I have a pair of pet gerbils now. Hmm. Thanks guys, I didn't realize they could ruin my snakes diet, definitely not feeding them off now.

[Slim]

Thank you very much for listening to good advice! You are making an excellent decision.

You can't believe how many BP owners out there think we just make this stuff up as we go along or ask questions without really wanting to hear the answer.

[Mike41793]

Thank you very much for listening to good advice! You are making an excellent decision.

You can't believe how many BP owners out there think we just make this stuff up as we go along or ask questions without really wanting to hear the answer.

x2! By listening to good advice from us youve proven you dont have the maturity of a 12 year old like others who have come on here!

Also i heard that bath salts are the new crack! (from my zombie friends down in Florida!)