did i traumatize my bp?!

[Kelvin Rivera]

Howdy y'all. I frequent these forums and read tons of threads hence all the extra info since it seems that everyone asks what the temps and setup is for the snake. And since this is my first time checking since posting the thread... Thank you to the people who said not to worry. I guess next time I'll keep my husbandry mistakes to myself.. Sorry

[CD CONSTRICTORS]

You'll notice there are those that tend to help out new people, and there are those that tend to try to assert their expertise as if their way is the ONLY way and you're an idiot if you don't agree.

There is an "ignore" button on the forum and I've learned to use it here for those that are not too welcoming of new bp enthusiasts. Take the haters with a grain of salt and you'll find plenty of helping hands here just as I have.

[Anthony Renna]

Just try again, only concern is that you left it alone half an hour. when you feed live you must watch to ensure your snake's safety

[Kelvin Rivera]

oh, ok...i didn't think leaving it alone would be too big of a problem since it was moving around, but it's eyes weren't even open yet...but i guess it can still scratch and things like that. Is there a recommended process from converting from live to f/t or just try and cross your fingers? lol

[4Ballz]

I truly apologize to you Kelvin, as I'm usually very supportive on this site, and never talking smack. It was all in good fun, as I was amazed at the length. I was trying to just have some "fun", but sadly the text can not be seen as "humorous" or "sarcastic". Again, sorry to all the other readers as well.

[Annarose15]

oh, ok...i didn't think leaving it alone would be too big of a problem since it was moving around, but it's eyes weren't even open yet...but i guess it can still scratch and things like that. Is there a recommended process from converting from live to f/t or just try and cross your fingers? lol

Leaving a pup whose eyes aren't even open isn't going to put your snake in dire danger. It's the larger, weaned rodents that are more risky. Some BPs also won't eat while they're being watched. I trust my snakes to know what nature has ingrained in them, which is how to dispatch a rodent without allowing major damage to themselves. [Cliff's Notes version: You did fine. ] As far as switching from live to F/T, the biggest recommendation I can make is to make sure it is fully thawed and then warmed (hair dryer, heat lamp, etc.) so your BP recognizes it as prey. I just hold my F/T in front of them with tongs (more jiggling for the less shy BPs, and vice versa).

[Rocialhabit]

I was going to comment lol. Then I saw that the OP didn't come back... well actually I am still commenting so ignore that first bit.

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I was going to comment lol. Then I saw that the OP didn't come back... well actually I am still commenting so ignore that first bit.

Wow what a noob move. I didn't mean to hit Submit on this... And whats worse is I don't see how to delete the post. Such fail...

[MrLang]

So I brown paper bagged/blunt hit the rat (i don't have dry ice, so i think this is the next most humane way?

If you're wondering, this is not the next most humane way. It's questionably one of the least humane ways, actually. It's not called 'paper bagging,' it's called bludgeoning. It's a horrible way to die. Here's what you want to do next time:


Throw on some leather gloves

Pin it down flat with one hand behind its head with your thumb and forefinger holding it right at the back of its skull... kind of pinching the back of the head. Hold it with the other hand firmly at the base of its tail.

Give a SHARP, FIRM tug at the base of the tail. This is more of a snap of the wrist than a pull of the arm.



Behind dry ice, that's the most humane way to kill a rodent for feeding.

[DooLittle]

Yup, just wait till next weeks feeding and try again. One thing I would like to mention, is that I would not freeze the rat after you left out overnight. I would chuck it.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

[Kelvin Rivera]

thanks for all the new tips everyone...i didn't know about the neck/pulling the tail technique so i'll be sure to do that next time. I left the dead rat in his viv for 2 hours in a dark room and he didn't eat it, so i froze it after that instead of leaving it in overnight. I'm just going to skip this week and try again next week. I'm going to offer the female the frozen rat and offer the male a f/t mouse to see if they will both take to f/t. thanks again everyone!

and to 4ballz...it's alright. I wasn't so personally offended or anything by your post...I was just trying to be detailed, so I admit that the post was long. No harm done