Yet another problem feeder tip: DIRT!

[xdeus]

I acquired an 800 gram Ball last Summer that was supposedly a "great feeder". No such luck. I tried pretty much everything with no results. She did eat about three times back in October, but that was it. Finally I stumbled on a tip that I read about on Kingsnake that someone used for WC Balls. He filled the cage up with regular potting soil and that made many of his WC snakes into feeders.

I figured I didn't have anything to lose, so I went out and bought a bag of topsoil. She ate three days later, and for the next two weeks. She was eating mice, but I decided to try a scented rat pup last night and she hit it immediately.

I'm not sure if it was just a coincidence that she started feeding again after I changed the substrate, or if it was the dirt itself. Either way, it might be something for you to consider if you have a problem feeder.

[Adam_Wysocki]

Sometimes, it's just a change that gets them going again.

Change is good!

Congrats!

-adam

[recycling goddess]

that's great news!!! congrats.

personally it makes sense to me that they would smell their 'home scent' and feel safer to eat. they are 'live' critters afterall.

[xdeus]

Sometimes, it's just a change that gets them going again.

Change is good!

Congrats!

-adam

Thanks. When she was eating back in October I changed the substrate from aspen to newspaper and I think that change might have been for the worse. Of course she punished me by going back on the fast even though I changed it back to Aspen. To make matters worse, I'm not even sure she's a female. The vet probed her about 5 scales deep. I guess I'll find out eventually...

[xdeus]

that's great news!!! congrats.

personally it makes sense to me that they would smell their 'home scent' and feel safer to eat. they are 'live' critters afterall.

Yep, I think that must have something to do with it. I just hope I can get her back on a normal substrate as this dirt is... well... dirty!

[recycling goddess]

i would add some aspen to one corner of the viv... once you get her eating reg. again... and then slowly transfer her over to full aspen.