What to feed my boy

[MontyAndMelissa]

Getting him to eat anything is what's important now. There's nothing wrong with eating live mice and going to f/t rAts later. Making feeding time a positive experience will help him gain confidence.

How did u offer the live mice? Some snakes want a break between each one, others will eat them right after one another.

I never said there was anything wrong with feeding live. But if the snake won't take live prey of substantial size, then it becomes an issue. I used to feed live, and I had a bad experience.

[SCWood]

Here he is taking the first one. You can see some reluctance at first and then BOOM. He swallowed it in less than a minute so I figured he wanted seconds 😟 guess I was wrong.

1.2 Normal
1.1 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn

[MontyAndMelissa]

I defrost until soft, get the snakes in their feeding tubs, and then place them in the hottest water I can run. Then I jiggle them in front of the snakes and they take...usually

1.2 Normal
1.1 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn

He may be stressed moving to a feeding tub, if that's not what he's used to, have you tried feeding in tank? I also try not to get my rats wet when I feed. You can put them in a zip lock baggie and run under hot water. Some snakes are picky. If all he will eat is mice, and he should be on rats, feed him a few mice. I usually gave monty 1-2 hours between prey items. Sometimes she won't take until the next day. Or if he is used to eating one item, try heating up a small rat to room temp and only power heating the head.

[MontyAndMelissa]

Here he is taking the first one. You can see some reluctance at first and then BOOM. He swallowed it in less than a minute so I figured he wanted seconds 😟 guess I was wrong.

1.2 Normal
1.1 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn

Monty coils with her whole body, too. Maybe he has a few issues with coiling, and he knows the larger prey he can't coil as hard.

[SCWood]

He may be stressed moving to a feeding tub, if that's not what he's used to, have you tried feeding in tank? I also try not to get my rats wet when I feed. You can put them in a zip lock baggie and run under hot water. Some snakes are picky. If all he will eat is mice, and he should be on rats, feed him a few mice. I usually gave monty 1-2 hours between prey items. Sometimes she won't take until the next day. Or if he is used to eating one item, try heating up a small rat to room temp and only power heating the head.

From what I understand, he was fed rats in his tank by his first owner...however, we do not like the idea and Scott had him eating in a bathtub for several months before he went off feed. My snakes don't seem to mind the wet rats but he may be an exception. I just know every time I try, he turns away from it and curls up tight like he's trying to get away from me.

1.2 Normal
1.1 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn

[SCWood]

Monty coils with her whole body, too. Maybe he has a few issues with coiling, and he knows the larger prey he can't coil as hard.

Perhaps! The places around here are starting to sell super small rats nowadays... maybe a rat pup will entice him?

1.2 Normal
1.1 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn

[MontyAndMelissa]

From what I understand, he was fed rats in his tank by his first owner...however, we do not like the idea and Scott had him eating in a bathtub for several months before he went off feed. My snakes don't seem to mind the wet rats but he may be an exception. I just know every time I try, he turns away from it and curls up tight like he's trying to get away from me.

1.2 Normal
1.1 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn

Hmm. This is a tricky one. I think the best bet is to try to use f/t. There have been times I had to tie a string around the tail and hide around the corner. If he can see you, he may think you're a predator. And since snakes usually eat in the same spot, they generally won't eat unless it's safe.

[MontyAndMelissa]

Perhaps! The places around here are starting to sell super small rats nowadays... maybe a rat pup will entice him?

1.2 Normal
1.1 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn

You could try that. I would just slowly work your way up in prey size. Maybe two weeks at one size, then move up and do a couple feeds at the next size up. Snakes go off feed for months at a time, and the fact that he is eating is a good sign.

[SCWood]

Hmm. This is a tricky one. I think the best bet is to try to use f/t. There have been times I had to tie a string around the tail and hide around the corner. If he can see you, he may think you're a predator. And since snakes usually eat in the same spot, they generally won't eat unless it's safe.

That's an idea. he's definitely not on in a strike because I cleaned his feeding tub today and put him in there for change-out and he got super excitable and when I took him out he's been 'pacing' his cage ever since and he just took that mouse 2 days ago...

1.2 Normal
1.1 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn

[MontyAndMelissa]

That's an idea. he's definitely not on in a strike because I cleaned his feeding tub today and put him in there for change-out and he got super excitable and when I took him out he's been 'pacing' his cage ever since and he just took that mouse 2 days ago...

1.2 Normal
1.1 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn

You can put him back in his feeding tub and try one prey size up. Sounds to me like he is still hungry.