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Feeding Trouble, MAJOR TROUBLE

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Feeding Trouble, MAJOR TROUBLE

This is what our member has to say: Hi everyone, Well I have read and tried almost everything that anyone has recommended. I have had Geronimo for almost 6 weeks now and no ...


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  #1  
03-17-2008, 03:16 AM
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Feeding Trouble, MAJOR TROUBLE

Hi everyone,
Well I have read and tried almost everything that anyone has recommended. I have had Geronimo for almost 6 weeks now and no eating what so ever.

I have tried every color rat under the sun. Feeding in a different enclosure, different times, I am using frozen/thawed, I have been heating them up in hot water in a zip lock to keep them dry, it works well. The last attempt which was tonight I thawed ontop of the screen top of the enclosure then zaped it under the heat lamp for 10 minutes to get it nice and warm. He was going crazy looking for the food, and even when I put the rat in he seemed interested, I wiggled it around but no luck. He was eating before I took him home.

Temps are around 88-92 daytime, and 78-82 night. Humidity is around 40-60%. There are two hides one on the warm side, one on the cool side with a big water dish and a branch to climb on. I am away 4 days a week so its not like he is bothered to much and can't see any signs of stress.

My concern is that he is starting to visibly loose wieght, last time I handled him he didn't seem plump and his skin is starting to look saggy.

This is my cry for help. I don't want to feed him live food, does anyone have any other tricks?

Should he attack it, or take it slow? Do I wiggle until he bites, or just enough for him to get interest? How long do you leave it in there for?

  #2  
 I helped move the meter!   03-17-2008, 09:48 AM
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Re: Feeding Trouble, MAJOR TROUBLE

Are you feeding in the cage? This you might want to change if so... Also have you tried something smaller? maybe he thinks the rat is to big???
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  #3  
03-17-2008, 11:55 AM
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Re: Feeding Trouble, MAJOR TROUBLE

AH HA! He ate, I ended up just leaving the rat in the enclosure over night, and its gone now and he's in his hide. Lets hope this is it and he'll keep eating... Thanks.

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03-17-2008, 12:23 PM
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Re: Feeding Trouble, MAJOR TROUBLE

Good to hear!
Just leave the snake alone for a couple of days to digest or you may get the rat back!
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 I helped move the meter!   03-17-2008, 12:27 PM
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Re: Feeding Trouble, MAJOR TROUBLE

apparently that snake needs less pressure to eat!
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 I helped move the meter!   03-17-2008, 01:12 PM
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Re: Feeding Trouble, MAJOR TROUBLE

I agree, The first time I fed my boa I sat there for 20 minutes wiggling the f/t rat in front of her in a box in the back room. Finally I just moved her to a 10 gallon tank with a locking lid and left the rat in there with her, after about 15 minutes she had started in on it. Some of them just don't like people watching.
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 I helped move the meter!   03-17-2008, 03:49 PM
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Re: Feeding Trouble, MAJOR TROUBLE

I actually have 1 boa that will only eat in the dark, with nobody watching. Even if just the TV is on it won't eat.
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03-17-2008, 05:17 PM
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Re: Feeding Trouble, MAJOR TROUBLE

Im glad your BP ate for you, now you know to just put him in a feeding enclosure with a rat for a bit...I say thats easier then having to wiggle the rat infront of him for 20 mins

 


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