Not Constricting? Trying to get out? And other questions...

[gotballs?]

On a less serious subject... I was planning on buying those jungle vines for her tank and possibly getting rid of her log. I've seen this vines zip tied or twist tied to the lids of tanks from looking at other people's set ups. However, I don't want to lift up the vines every time I take her lid off to change the water or handle her. I'm thinking of putting them in once I upgrade her tank but I don't know of how to set them up so they look good but are sturdy. Any ideas or suggestions on how I can set them up?

We used the little plastic suction cups that are used to hold window decorations... we got an assorted sized package at home depot in the christmas decorations aisle... no problems, and they work great!

[Pandora]

I think what everyone is trying to say is that your problems revolve around prey that is too small and the ball being hungry. She's most likely more active because she is hungry. She didn't constrict because the prey was too small. After being told by a dozen people that you need to up the food size, if you're still not concerned about her diet, then, well, you at least SHOULD be. You just asked this question, meaning that you apparantly weren't concerned about this before, just now, and, you're just now feeding a pinky, so, yes, it does go hand-in-hand. Feed the right size prey and your "problems" should all disappear.

Saying I'm not concerned about the size of her food is extremely ignorant because it's the exact opposite of that.
The only reason a dozen people told me to up her food size is because they failed to read the part where I mentioned that was the smallest I've ever fed her and it was the only mouse I was able to buy for her at the time.

[Pandora]

Kaa one time did the opposite no strike just sorta snuggled up to the rat then dicided "ah what the hey " and slowly started to constrict
he didnt get bit, but boy he shoulda ive fed him prekilled but its rare usually hafta feed live to all my snakes anyways back to your problem
i got so tired of the rat hunt every weekend lookin for the right size i just started breeding my own, sooo...lemme know what size i,ll fedx em to yah
k im kidding , if you have more than one bp, or rat eater i should say it is so much cheaper and easier to breed your own, i wouldnt worry about him not constricting he just got thrown for a loop it happens, and roaming around lookin for a place to hole up for fall, he,ll be fine

Pandora's my only snake and will be for the next little while so breeding rats is neither convenient nor logical for me to do at the time being.

[Pandora]

If you can buy a little mini freezer suggested by another member, then you can buy a good supply of f/t, and as they vary in size in the batches, you can pick out the right sized rodent for each meal, instead of "get what your given/ the only size they have" when you buy live. All being well your BP will be around for 10/15/20 years, so buying a mini freezer may be a good investment

ps-May be try rats... my BP was a funny eater. When i gave mice he wouldn't be that bothered (ie-not resticting letting go after restricting), i could take it away and he would let me. Now he's on rats and hasn't refused since, as for getting a rat off him ...nooo chance

I feed her both rats and mice. I pick according to size (unlike what some people would like to believe) when I'm at the pet store. If their rats are too small, I'll pick a mouse that's decent size and viceversa. She's not picky about that

[scotty99]

I wouldn't keep switching from mice to rats, i know you have to depending on whats in the shop, but I would try and keep to one species

regards scott

[MeMe]

I wouldn't keep switching from mice to rats, i know you have to depending on whats in the shop, but I would try and keep to one species

regards scott

but why?

If the snake will switch back and forth...what is it hurting?

[Shadow4108]

I'm wondering that too. IF there ever was a problem and someone couldnt get rats or mice, I would think it would be a help to know your snake will eat either one.

[scotty99]

but why?

If the snake will switch back and forth...what is it hurting?

Yep fair point,if you want to feed both, and it works ok then great, but her snake isn't eating quite properly, otherwise she wouldn't of posted a thread. I just thought may be rats might induce a more aggressive feeding reponse, which i got from my BP by switching to rats from mice, thought it might be worth suggesting her giving it a try.

Regards Scott

[MeMe]

Yep fair point,if you want to feed both, and it works ok then great, but her snake isn't eating quite properly, otherwise she wouldn't of posted a thread. I just thought may be rats might induce a more aggressive feeding reponse, which i got from my BP by switching to rats from mice, thought it might be worth suggesting her giving it a try.

Regards Scott

If she can only get what is availabe to her...rats one week mice the next..then that's just what she has to do. It is what is available to her.

I ..would first consider upping the size of the prey or offering more than one at a sitting. but that's just me.

On a side note...I only feed rats. I don't offer any other type of prey. I breed my own rats...and feed live.

~memes

[missi182]

Saying I'm not concerned about the size of her food is extremely ignorant because it's the exact opposite of that.
The only reason a dozen people told me to up her food size is because they failed to read the part where I mentioned that was the smallest I've ever fed her and it was the only mouse I was able to buy for her at the time.

Actually, I did read the entirety of your original post as well as every one following it. The point to mention the size is because you asked why the snake was lingering - I answered by saying FEED IT MORE. You can't get defensive when people are pointing out the answer and your ignoring it. Yes you said that this was the smallest meal, and you also said your snake was acting up, so people with experience looked at those two facts and gave you your answer.

If you think it is not the lack of food (this week alone perhaps, not always) that is causing your snake to act up, what are your thoughts as to the cause?