Do Wild Caughts Ever Make the Switch to F/T?

[OctagonGecko729]

Hello all,

I'm considering purchasing a unique wild caught that is over 3000 grams. My main concerns are about feeding with her. I know every animal is different but in general how many of these girls that are wild caught eventually end up eating F/T? The way I got my hatchling CBs to switch was to feed live off the tongs to the snake, then the next few meals they took F/Ts.

At 3000 grams (not sure on length) would she safely be able to fast for a year without food while I attempt to get her to eat? How often do WC BPs die from starvation when they are full grown females? I do have access to ASFs as there is a breeder here in VA, so that may help swing her around to rats after a while.

Thanks,

[OctagonGecko729]

Also, if she does not feed during a week, what do I do with the rat? I have an empty 30 gallon which I could convert. It doesn't really seem like a good idea to me to continually stress out the rodent by picking it up with tongs and dangling it infront of the BP every weekend. I do not necessarily want to start a colony of either rats or ASFs at the moment. We are operating out of an apartment and space is limited + the smell (I hear its miniscule) + the landlord would probably freak out, he knows about the reptiles, not about the feeders.

[barbie.dragon]

Don't use tongs on a live rat especially if the rat is a little older. It causes panic and the chances of your snake getting mauled or bitten is much much higher. I know you've done this before but yeah
:<

[kitedemon]

Yes sometimes they do switch but it is not easy. Is the WC animal 300o gm imported (adult) or has been raised for years?

[SlitherinSisters]

I haven't ever had the chance to try, but I'm guessing it may be difficult. The best time to try switching would be after she lays.

[OctagonGecko729]

Don't use tongs on a live rat especially if the rat is a little older. It causes panic and the chances of your snake getting mauled or bitten is much much higher. I know you've done this before but yeah
:<

Yeah I did it with a mouse, and your exactly right it freaked out and bit my enchi lesser after she bit it. She shot back and let go of it. This made her go off feed for like 4 weeks in which we had to assist feed to get her back to eating.

- - - Updated - - -

Yes sometimes they do switch but it is not easy. Is the WC animal 300o gm imported (adult) or has been raised for years?

Fresh import.

[OctagonGecko729]

I haven't ever had the chance to try, but I'm guessing it may be difficult. The best time to try switching would be after she lays.

Thanks for the tip, I doubt that I'd breed her this year. I'm not really set up to take on breeding this year. I would probably be breeding her in 2014 or so.