Feeding Suggestion?

[justinlarsen]

I tried to feed the new guy this eveing with minimal luck, he struck at the food twice, but never did more than that. After about an hour and 15min of dangling and heating, i didt get another stike so i gave up. Im going to try again tomrorow but should i continue trying to give the thawed pinkie rat? or should i just get a live one? I also saw the post about the chicken broth. Any suggestest or times for tomorrows attempt woudl be great.

[CewlCat]

Re: Feeding Suggestion?

Hi

I am fortunate that I have never had that problem, even when I converted him to frozen/tawed. I would suggest that you stick to Clay's advise and use patience and perseverance. I would would not go for the chicken stuff, due to the salmonela bacteria issues, but thats only me ;D

Hope this helps a bit, good luck.

CewlCat

[stormyva]

Re: Feeding Suggestion?

Stay on a regular schedule for the snake. If it does not eat I would wait seven days until the next normal feeding day.

If he struck at it there is a good chance that he would have eventually taken it. Next time he strikes but doesnt take it right away put the lid on the feed tub or cage, cover it with a dark colored towel or sheet, shut the lights off in the room, leave and close the door behind you. Try to stay out of the room, or at least away from the cage/tub for about an hour. The snake should have eaten by then.

GOOD LUCK!

[ClayEnglish]

Re: Feeding Suggestion?

Striking at the food item is a good sign.  I will often just leave it in front of them after they strike at it and most of the time it is eaten.

I would never do the chicken broth thing, but I would however scent "trick" them by using a mouse, or even feeding a mouse.  Most boas, even though a little stressful, or a little nervous after a move, will eat a mouse with little problem.

Don't give up easily, leave the food item in overnight if you need to, but also don't be afraid to offer a mouse if the need arises.  The hogg is still young and growing.

[BlackLX306]

Re: Feeding Suggestion?

I have always fed my two Boa's live prey. They are 5 and 8 months old and neither have ever turned down food. I feed them seperately in a cardboard box, I will usually just put the snake in, then drop the mouse in and leave the room. I have watched them eat from a distance without them knowing I'm there, but once they notice me they kind of pay attention to me until I get out of their sight again. Am I going to run into any problems if I continue feeding them live? Most people say to feed frozen but my guys prefer live

[Ryan]

Re: Feeding Suggestion?

khaotic,
once your boas get to rats there is going to be a big problem. Have you ever looked at the teeth of an adult rat, or even a weanling? those suckers arent no joke. If I was a rat and getting squeezed to death I would do everything I could do to get away, scratch, and bite, rats are fearless. its just not a good thing to do. it might take a while to switch your boas over but it will be worth it in the long run believe me. here is a pic from clays care guides on feeding frozen/thawed rats. If you havent read them, do so...memorize them, I have.

[ClayEnglish]

Re: Feeding Suggestion?

So True.

It is called when the Prey becomes the Predator.

Don't disregard mice though, a live adult mouse can basically peel and skin a boa if left unattended and the boa is not hungry.

Lori has a great example on her site as well.

[LORI]

Re: Feeding Suggestion?

UGH.. Here's some reading for you khaotic >>> http://www.koalaskritters.net/livefeeding.html

This pic is from what happened to a snake when it was fed a live MOUSE.....



GRAPHIC..YUP.. BUT it IS reality. Mice can harm a snake MAJORLY , just as a rat could also. Don't get too comfortable thinking that "my snake won't get hurt cuz I feed it mice, not rats , that are live at all !
BTW.. That Ball Python had to be put down to the extent of it's injuries recieved from a MOUSE :'(

[eViL_KaRoT]

Re: Feeding Suggestion?

I would have to agree with Lori and Clay, NEVER FEED LIVE RATS OR MICE!!!! They can just cause too much damage to your baby. One of my boa's have a nice scar down her back from a rat biting back!! From what we've been told from her last owner, her first owner fed live rats, and it scarred her up pretty bad. Ever since that incident, she was very wary or live food. Since we've had her and I think the previous owner did the same thing, she has only ate F/T rats. She seems to enjoy the fact that she doesn't have to fear the damage from live.

But as far as the original post from justinlarsen, if your snake is striking at the rat, then it at least wants it. Just leave the rat in the cage and let the snake be for a few hours. As long as it is pre-kill, it won't hurt it any. I have a snake that every once in awhile, she won't eat it right away. But if I leave her with it for a couple of hours in her feed box with a blanket over the box, so that she is left alone, she'll eat it right up. She does not like it one bit, if I try to take it out to warm it back up. I think it really upsets her, she'll try to strike at me instead of the rat. But if I just leave her alone, she eventually eats it. Patience is the key!!!

[ClayEnglish]

Re: Feeding Suggestion?

Hey Justin,

Just wanted to know the progress with your new baby. How is it going?