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smart bunny
Hatchling
174 Posts |
 Posted - 27/07/2012 : 12:18:20
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OK, so our little CRB is still refusing feeds - 3 so far all of which have been left in her RUB overnight :( The 1st one we weren't surprised - she had mites when we got her home so we bathed her every couple of days rather than the usual leaving to settle in for a week. The 2nd one I was also not surprised as I was fairly sure she was getting ready to shed. The third time however was following a successful shed and also being left alone for ages (we haven't handled since the 1st week except for getting out for feeds)... I tried braining a mouse pink and also a fuzzy just in case she wanted something bigger lol! Left them in her warm hide overnight and still nothing. We got some rat pinks in when we got her, but they are seriously huge in comparison to her (20g) so not tried them.
I know from the corn snake forum we still have different options - I got a chick so we could try her on a chick thigh - are they as irresistible to CRB's as they are supposed to be to corns lol?! Next thing we are going to try is putting her in a tiny container with the food overnight.
I was talking to the lady in our local pet shop yesterday who says she assist feeds their royals at the moment and hubby could go and watch how to do this one Sunday if he likes. Hubby is getting really worried that Prism is going to die, but I think it's too early to go down the assist feed route yet, but I want to know how long we can wait before possibly having to consider it. Can she go a couple of months at this age or would we need to possibly consider it sooner?
She was born 9/6/12 and apparently fed 21/6, 28/6 and 4/7. |
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CDN_Blood
Rainbow oddball
Canada
489 Posts |
Posted - 27/07/2012 : 12:20:12
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| Have you tried live prey? That's often the key to getting them started. |
TODD
25 Years of Commitment and Responsibility in Private Herpetoculture |
Edited by - CDN_Blood on 27/07/2012 12:20:39 |
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smart bunny
Hatchling
174 Posts |
Posted - 27/07/2012 : 12:38:50
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| To be honest, here in the UK that would be last resort ;) I would if I had to, but it's frowned upon here, so it really would be very last option. Not even sure where I would be able to GET live prey over here!! |
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CDN_Blood
Rainbow oddball
Canada
489 Posts |
Posted - 27/07/2012 : 13:07:17
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quote:
Originally posted by smart bunny
To be honest, here in the UK that would be last resort ;) I would if I had to, but it's frowned upon here, so it really would be very last option. Not even sure where I would be able to GET live prey over here!!
Hopefully it's a last resort *anywhere*, but when raising baby snakes it's often a necessary evil. These things are hard-wired to focus on movement, yet they're so shy that often playing puppet show with f/t food will actually turn them off the idea of eating because of the human interference, so often a couple of live items are the only way to kickstart them into eating. From there it's usually very easy to switch them to f/t food. |
TODD
25 Years of Commitment and Responsibility in Private Herpetoculture |
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IncurableFlirt
Yearling
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 27/07/2012 : 18:52:00
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| I would avoid assist feeding at all costs, personally, unless your baby has lost a significant amount of weight and is looking poorly. It is possible that Prism is just feeling a little overwhelmed and unsafe and just needs time to work herself into a comfort zone. As Todd said, you might try offering a live prey item (if you can find one there), just to get Prism's hunger drive up. If you can't find a live, I'd just give her another couple of weeks to get acclimated and feeling secure. Instead of trying to feed her again this coming week, give her another week to chill out. :) Putting her in a smaller container (such as a paper bag with lid rolled closed) and in her secured enclosure overnight might just do the trick also. I'd give it a try. Don't panic, though. They really can go a long time without food. ;) Best of luck and I hope she eats for you really, really soon! |
Jenn.
11.8 Ball pythons
1.0 BCI boa
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa |
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smart bunny
Hatchling
174 Posts |
Posted - 27/07/2012 : 20:05:59
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| Thanks for the reassurance guys. |
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Blackcat
Hatchling
United Kingdom
341 Posts |
Posted - 27/07/2012 : 20:34:20
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I can't add anything just want to wish you luck and thoughts are with you.
For live prey you could try looking on RFUK in the food classifieds section, to narrow the search use the location selector at the top.
Hope she eats soon |
1.1.0 BRB's 0.0.2 CRB's
0.1.2 Corn Snakes
1.0.0 House snake
0.1.0 Crested Gecko |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 31/07/2012 : 20:42:08
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To answer your original question, a baby can go for a looong time without food -- I know of one breeder who could not get one to eat for over two months, and it turned out fine in the end. However, my worry zone kicks in before that, as snakes are designed to eat whenever possible.
Whenever is animal is not feeding, the first step is to double-check your conditions. Are the heat gradient and humidity correct? Is there enough privacy?
The second step is check your feeding practices. This involves timing (how frequently you offer -- some people panick and offer every day after a refusal, rather than spacing meals out, and thus further stressing the snake), type (she may be more interested in rats), condition (live, fresh-killed, frozen/thawed), temperature (do you heat it until *really* warm?), and size (how big the item is). While I keep Brazilians rather than Columbians, I offer weekly, use frozen/thawed rats, warm them to piping hot, and make the meal as large around as the snake at its widest point.
If all else fails, baby Brazilians are addicted to live mouse hoppers, and I assume the same logic would apply to a Columbian (though maybe a fuzzie is a better size). You could also always put a mouse in a small clear cup to "excite" the baby, then offer frozen/thawed and see if that works.
I agree with both Todd and Incurable that force-feeding is a last resort, and even then not a good one.
Good luck, |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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smart bunny
Hatchling
174 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2012 : 19:38:28
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Thanks snakesitter. We have checked and rechecked the temps/humidity etc on a regular basis, 26-28C on hot side where she tends to stay (don't measure cold as is room temp and summer here lol) and minimum 90% humidity. She's in a very quite room with no through traffic. We have been offering every 5 days, knowing that it shouldn't be too often but still being too nervous to wait too long. We did wait a whole week last time though lol.
I can only describe having 'partial success' so far. Previously leaving the pinkie in her RUB overnight it would be exactly the same the following morning. We have been popping her in a small butter tub as above (last 3 attempts). In the morning the pinkie has definitely been 'had a go at' as everything except the head is kind of gone lol. When I say kind of I mean it looks like she has a go at the stomach and bursts it as there is a bit of mess spread about in there. It's definitely NOT a partial regurge as the head looks perfect and there's no smell lol.
Although obviously still concerned we are not panicking yet as she is still sooooo strong when we get her out to put her in the feeding tub (no handling at all other than this). In fact it's a case of havihng difficulty stopping her escaping as we do so lol!
On the plus side there has been no sign of mites whatsoever for at least 3 weeks now so at least that is a relief...
So just to check - are chick thighs not a good thing to try with CRB's? I know they are recommended for corns? |
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Blackcat
Hatchling
United Kingdom
341 Posts |
Posted - 13/08/2012 : 12:47:17
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Good to have an update - I have been wondering how 'things' were going.(didn't want to ask)
Pleased to hear you have no signs of mites for the last 3 weeks and that Prism at least has shown some interest in food 
Maybe now she is clear of mites she will 'feel' better and want her food.
Can't help regards the chick thigh (too new at this myself) but personally can't see why not - would they not eat whatever they could get if wild? Better for them to eat something than nothing.
I'm sure the 'experts' will come along and give 'proper' advice soon.
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1.1.0 BRB's 0.0.2 CRB's
0.1.2 Corn Snakes
1.0.0 House snake
0.1.0 Crested Gecko |
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smart bunny
Hatchling
174 Posts |
Posted - 13/08/2012 : 14:23:59
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Yeah, sorry not had an update sooner, but there didn't seem much point as so little to report! Also we went away last week (but only just over an hour away from home so hubby could still pop back to check on the snakes and give them fresh water etc lol).
Prism really is the sweetest little thing, she seems so calm and not at all fussed when she is brought out (until she gets shut in a tub lol)... just wish she would eat properly  |
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Blackcat
Hatchling
United Kingdom
341 Posts |
Posted - 13/08/2012 : 15:50:46
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No probs re update, I had kind of thought that 'no news' was good news
Also with the time of year, had also thought you may have had a holiday - hope you had a good time.
Stupidly I feel a little responsible for you having a Rainbow  - I know I'm daft, just the way I am lol.
As you have said Prism is so sweet (mine are too) it makes me really addicted to them, more so than I am to my corns, it's just the way they are so inquisative and calm, so unlike my two corns which 'dash' off as soon as the viv is opened.
She will eat and you will wonder what all the worry was about - she has just had so much to deal with in her short life so far. |
1.1.0 BRB's 0.0.2 CRB's
0.1.2 Corn Snakes
1.0.0 House snake
0.1.0 Crested Gecko |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 14/08/2012 : 00:28:28
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| Hmm, odd that you keep finding just heads and messes. Next time that happens, would you please post a pict? That way we can see what is going on and update our advice. Glad to hear she is still strong and active! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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CDN_Blood
Rainbow oddball
Canada
489 Posts |
Posted - 14/08/2012 : 00:44:17
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| *I'm* odd, that's just weird, lol. I'd be curious to see an image also :) |
TODD
25 Years of Commitment and Responsibility in Private Herpetoculture |
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smart bunny
Hatchling
174 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2012 : 11:49:41
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Hmm, well chick thigh didn't interest her... gonna try 1/2 a rat pink next... and then I really think it's going to have to be trying to source some live food
Yep - it's all your fault we ended up with a non-feeder Blackcat lol!!! (Only kidding  ) |
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Blackcat
Hatchling
United Kingdom
341 Posts |
Posted - 20/08/2012 : 11:33:45
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I know it's not 'really' my fault Smart bunny.
As mentioned before if you have to go down the route of 'live' food, try sourcing it on RFUK in the food classifieds section.
I have found a source for 'live' food near me if I ever have to go down that route. |
1.1.0 BRB's 0.0.2 CRB's
0.1.2 Corn Snakes
1.0.0 House snake
0.1.0 Crested Gecko |
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How long can a baby go without food?
