Re: Black Rat not eating / Striking

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Posted by joe on December 21, 2000 at 20:01:23:

In Reply to: Black Rat not eating / Striking posted by Brent on December 20, 2000 at 12:01:07:

Do your frozen mice actually thaw in 10 minutes?
I would think it would take more like 30 minutes
to thaw them. I wonder if that might be part of
the problem. On the other hand, I've had wild
caught ratsnakes (foxsnakes) that would eat
nothing but live fuzzy rats as winter approached.
They would eventually refuse these as well.
There's little doubt that your snake wants to
hibernate - it's instrinct may be reversed by
warming it - a basking temp in the cage should
be 80 - 84 with a cooler area also available. If
you do decide to hibernate it I would read up on
the temps and duration needed.

: I have a Black Rat that was caught at my workplace in summer 1999. It was about 8 inches at the time, I figured a spring / summer hatchling. It is now about 2 foot long and has been feeding on frozen fuzzies somewhat well about every 7-10 days. It had not eaten for the last 6 weeks and I destroyed 4 mice in the process. I finally broke down and bought two live fuzzies last night. He ate both within about 15 minutes. I thaw my frozen by placing them in a ziploc bag and immersing the bag in hot water for about 10 minutes. I then dry them using paper towels to remove any wetness. I attempt not to get any of my scent on them. I would rather feed frozen, due to accesability and mine and my families own desires. Any suggestions? Also, I handle it as often as possible 2-3 times per week. It is still striking and using it's tail to warn me off when I reach in the cage to get it. Will it grow out of this as it gets larger and continues to be handled? This is my first experience with snakes. I have since handled a 4 1/2 foot Black Rat which I caught while on a weekend retreat at a local forest. It was very docile and seemed to have no concern as I carried it around showing some of the youth that were with us. I then released it at the same location. This gave me hope that mine will change with growth. Sorry this is soooo long, hope someone will respond.

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: Do your frozen mice actually thaw in 10 minutes? : I would think it would take more like 30 minutes : to thaw them. I wonder if that might be part of : the problem. On the other hand, I've had wild : caught ratsnakes (foxsnakes) that would eat : nothing but live fuzzy rats as winter approached. : They would eventually refuse these as well. : There's little doubt that your snake wants to : hibernate - it's instrinct may be reversed by : warming it - a basking temp in the cage should : be 80 - 84 with a cooler area also available. If : you do decide to hibernate it I would read up on : the temps and duration needed. : : : I have a Black Rat that was caught at my workplace in summer 1999. It was about 8 inches at the time, I figured a spring / summer hatchling. It is now about 2 foot long and has been feeding on frozen fuzzies somewhat well about every 7-10 days. It had not eaten for the last 6 weeks and I destroyed 4 mice in the process. I finally broke down and bought two live fuzzies last night. He ate both within about 15 minutes. I thaw my frozen by placing them in a ziploc bag and immersing the bag in hot water for about 10 minutes. I then dry them using paper towels to remove any wetness. I attempt not to get any of my scent on them. I would rather feed frozen, due to accesability and mine and my families own desires. Any suggestions? Also, I handle it as often as possible 2-3 times per week. It is still striking and using it's tail to warn me off when I reach in the cage to get it. Will it grow out of this as it gets larger and continues to be handled? This is my first experience with snakes. I have since handled a 4 1/2 foot Black Rat which I caught while on a weekend retreat at a local forest. It was very docile and seemed to have no concern as I carried it around showing some of the youth that were with us. I then released it at the same location. This gave me hope that mine will change with growth. Sorry this is soooo long, hope someone will respond.

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