Re: unicolor ate, seeking more advice

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Posted by dan felice on June 08, 2002 at 14:24:12:

In Reply to: unicolor ate, seeking more advice posted by trustone on June 08, 2002 at 14:01:22:

: I was getting concerned because I had offered this snake 1) a fresh killed rat, 2) a frozen/thawed quail, and 3) frozen/thawed mouse, and he didn't want anything to do with any of them. (Pics of the snake are in earlier posts farther down the forum)

: Today, just to see if it was a matter of presentation, I offered a live adult lab mouse by placing it in his enclosure and letting it walk around as it pleased. I stood there to make sure this little bugger didn't decide to start chewing on the snake if the snake wasn't going to grab it. Well, much to my relief, the snake, after a few seconds, went right after it.

: It seemed kind of weird because the snakes head is twice as massive as the mouse, but at least it is interested in eating.

: Now, I do not like giving live rodent to snakes, unless I absolutely have to, and I prefer it if the snake is a constrictor. Even though the big bruiser grabbed the mouse, he essentially just crushed it in his jaws. The mouse could have bitten him, but it doesn't appear that it did.

: Well, now that I know he'll hit live mice, what should I do next? Obviously my goal is to get him switched over to frozen/thawed rats. I don't want to give him a live rat because of the increased risk of a bite injury, and I don't want to toss in 10-15 mice because there is still a risk of injury, not to mention the cost. I'm planning on getting several rat pups and giving him those, but even that is essentially just palliative.

: So, any advice?

if i were you i'd go right to live rat pups next. it's the movement that's exciting him but you DON'T want him to become accustomed to mice. it's an acquired taste but he will soon learn to prefer rats if that's all he is offered. after a couple of pup feedings, try pre-killed small rats. after awhile, f/t rats should work. cut their throats if added inducement is needed......this may be unnecessary though. the longer you feed him mice.....the longer it will take to break him of that habit. good luck...but i think you're on your way.

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: : : I was getting concerned because I had offered this snake 1) a fresh killed rat, 2) a frozen/thawed quail, and 3) frozen/thawed mouse, and he didn't want anything to do with any of them. (Pics of the snake are in earlier posts farther down the forum) : : Today, just to see if it was a matter of presentation, I offered a live adult lab mouse by placing it in his enclosure and letting it walk around as it pleased. I stood there to make sure this little bugger didn't decide to start chewing on the snake if the snake wasn't going to grab it. Well, much to my relief, the snake, after a few seconds, went right after it. : : It seemed kind of weird because the snakes head is twice as massive as the mouse, but at least it is interested in eating. : : Now, I do not like giving live rodent to snakes, unless I absolutely have to, and I prefer it if the snake is a constrictor. Even though the big bruiser grabbed the mouse, he essentially just crushed it in his jaws. The mouse could have bitten him, but it doesn't appear that it did. : : Well, now that I know he'll hit live mice, what should I do next? Obviously my goal is to get him switched over to frozen/thawed rats. I don't want to give him a live rat because of the increased risk of a bite injury, and I don't want to toss in 10-15 mice because there is still a risk of injury, not to mention the cost. I'm planning on getting several rat pups and giving him those, but even that is essentially just palliative. : : So, any advice? : if i were you i'd go right to live rat pups next. it's the movement that's exciting him but you DON'T want him to become accustomed to mice. it's an acquired taste but he will soon learn to prefer rats if that's all he is offered. after a couple of pup feedings, try pre-killed small rats. after awhile, f/t rats should work. cut their throats if added inducement is needed......this may be unnecessary though. the longer you feed him mice.....the longer it will take to break him of that habit. good luck...but i think you're on your way.

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Re: unicolor ate, seeking more advice

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