New BP Feeding Question

[ckuhn003]

I was thinking about attempting my 1st feed (f/t) tonight w/ my BP who just arrived a couple of days ago. The breeder feeds on Thursdays which is exactly one week ago. Since he's been enjoying his hide, do I need to get him out of the hide or does the aroma generated from the heated mouse usually get them out. Now as I'm writing this...I'm picturing me trying to remove the hide and getting my 1st bite since he smells the mouse

[donnadudette2003]

If you're feeding inside the habitat, then the smell should be enough. Try to get as much smell as possible out for him to smell. If you think he's not awake, tap or shift the hide gently, but not with your warm body parts in front of the hides opening.
Usually warming up the food will give off plenty of smell, just make sure to aim the smell toward his tank.

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[Kevin8998]

I fed my new BP for the first time last night and it had been 8 days since the breeder fed him previously and I only had him for three days.

It went fine he ate with no issues in the enclosure. I did thaw it right by his cage but it didn't get him out at all of his hide so I opened the hide up (one with a lid, cave style) and he was all curled up so I lowered the mouse down with tongs and just wiggled it by his face and he wrapped around it and ate it no problem.

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[ckuhn003]

Appreciate the responses......

So is the smell of the heated mouse recognizable to humans or just the BPs? I'm sure I'll find out tonight. I was going to let the mouse thaw out for a couple hours (how many??) and then hit w/ a hair dryer for a minute or two.

[Sunnieskys]

I take mice out in the morning to thaw and warm them up in hot water for a few minutes before feeding. I weigh weekly since they are still babies, spot clean their cages and then a rat and mouse magically appear in their habitat when put back in lol.

[hollowlaughter]

I can't really smell the rat when thawing/heating it.

But I don't have the greatest nose thanks to smoking like a chimney in the past.

He definitely can, and comes out to watch me through the glass until I get up from my thawing spot to offer it to him.

Just bear in mind they also rely on the heat of the item, so keep your hands clear of it and make sure the head is warm to your touch. Combining all that knowledge should allow you to be feeding your BP with no problems.

Thawing a twilight when they're already waking up also helps.

[Craiga 01453]

Your snake will most likely smell the prey item before it even enters the enclosure. Opening the enclosure will also alert him to be aware that something is going on. If the animal is in his hide, just dangle the prey item in front of the hide opening, it most likely will draw a strike, if not try rewarming it and just leaving it in front of the hide opening. Should be gone soon.

P.S. I defrost in warm water and leave the tub of water on top of the enclosure of the snake I'll be feeding while it defrosts. They can smell it while defrosting and are ready to eat once I heat and serve.

[ckuhn003]

Your snake will most likely smell the prey item before it even enters the enclosure. Opening the enclosure will also alert him to be aware that something is going on. If the animal is in his hide, just dangle the prey item in front of the hide opening, it most likely will draw a strike, if not try rewarming it and just leaving it in front of the hide opening. Should be gone soon.

P.S. I defrost in warm water and leave the tub of water on top of the enclosure of the snake I'll be feeding while it defrosts. They can smell it while defrosting and are ready to eat once I heat and serve.

Great advice everyone. He waited until I left the room to take his 1st meal

Should I be concerned about the sound of the hair dryer scaring him? I was trying to do it close to his enclosure to help radiate the mouse sent.

[Starscream]

Snakes don't really hear in the traditional sense. Here's an article that explains how they 'hear'. I doubt the vibrations of the hairdryer really bother them much.

[hollowlaughter]

Yep. They, if anything, sense the heat of it which helps get them excited to eat.

Enough so mine decided to faceplant on the glass of his enclosure when I wiggled the blowdryer at him. Poor thing.

Why getting the rat head ABOVE human body temp is good, since they seem to aim for whatever is hottest when they wanna eat.