Constricting but not eating?

[chris B]

I just purchased a new female *adult* first time eating was tonight *I got her a week ago*, within a minute or so she took the small live rat I offered. Well, I left and came back about 20 minutes later and still see the rat laying on the floor of the tub, Should I leave the rat inside the cage or take it out?

Could she still be stressed? I got her a week ago, cool side is at 84, hot side 93 and humidity is right around 55% give or take a few percent. Anyone else deal with this?

[aeio540]

My BP was like that. He would attack the mouse, constrict, and then leave the mouse. Some BP's are shy and if they sense any movement they quickly give up on the meal. If it was her first feeding I am assuming you had your face plastered right next to the tank.

Try in a week and drop the mouse in there and keep a close eye on it until it attacks and constricts. Turn the lights off and walk out of the room and return in about 5-10 mins. Remember, wait until he attacks and constricts, don't leave the rat running around without supervision. That's just asking for trouble.

That's what worked for me. The next time I fed, he struck, constricted, and about 5-10 mins later it was just him in the tank.

[chz]

If you still have hte dead rat, freeze it for a few days. Then take your BP out of its cage and put it into a "feeder cage" (a fancy name for a plastic container or paper bag). Thaw the rat by leaving it on the countertop or outside (never in a microwave or an oven). Once it is thawed, use a hair dryer on the rat for a few minutes to dry off the excess moisture and heat the rat thoroughly.

My guess is that once the BP left the rat dead, its body cooled down and obviously the BP was either stressed or not hungry. So I'd wait a few days before you try to feed him again using the method I mentioned above.

I buy mice in bulk, kill them quickly with blunt force, and freeze them. Once I went from live mice to pre-killed, I'll never go back.

Hope this helps!

-Nick

[chris B]

I'm gonna leave the rat in over night and see what happens, if nothing by 10am out comes the rat, and then i'll wait another week and try once again.

[chz]

Chris, it could also be an impending shed.. but leaving the rat in the cage is a mistake. It could be stress, an impending shed, or the fact that your BP simply isn't hungry. Take it out and freeze it, and try again in 2 days (unless he is shedding).

-Nick

[BPboy]

did you pick it up by the tall to put it in the feeder tank? because if you just picked it up by the body you scent will get on it and they sometimes wont take their food.