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hiper2009
Banned
United Kingdom
845 Posts |
 Posted - 07/02/2011 : 12:00:42
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Hi Cliff , I have bought some rats and i want to try wean Mayhem on to rats as its better for him in the long run but i have offerd him a rat but he won't take it shows no intrest in it at all i have even rubbed mouse all over the rat and even brained the mouse and wiped all the juice from mouse to the rat and still don't want it  and not to forget this rat has furr on it and still nothing ..
Should i try get the skin off the mouse and sowe it on to the rat or just leave mayhem with out a feed for about 3 weeks until he takes a rat ? |
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Invalid User
account deleted on request
277 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2011 : 12:15:56
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Why is this for the attention of Cliff?
Surely this can be an open question for anyone to answer and offer you advice?
Well here is reply if it's ok to post it....
If you are plannning on Jacketing the rat have you seen this thread? Very helpful.
http://www.theroyalpython.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4788
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Kehhlyr
The Resident Loon
United Kingdom
284 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2011 : 14:15:15
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Try getting a small prey item (mouse pinky/fluff) or whatever the smallest prey item it can take, and offering that.
Then as soon as it's in the mouth hold the rat close by for offering as well.
Quite often most snakes will still be in auto-pilot feeding mode and will just snap up the second prey item without putting much thought into it as they're all running on instinct then.
There's a few other methods, getting my boa onto rats wasn't easy it just takes a few goes of different things and they'll start soon enough. SO long as it's not rushed and they're getting enough foods in them then it doesn't matter if it takes longer to get onto rats. |
-=Kehhlyr - The Resident Loon
SOME OF MY ANIMALS
 
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hiper2009
Banned
United Kingdom
845 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2011 : 14:19:02
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quote:
Originally posted by louise32
Why is this for the attention of Cliff? Surely this can be an open question for anyone to answer and offer you advice?
Well here is reply if it's ok to post it....
If you are plannning on Jacketing the rat have you seen this thread? Very helpful.
http://www.theroyalpython.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4788
Already know about the link that Lee made for his boa with the rabbit and rat skin.
I trust Cliff's advice as he knows Mayhem's History with going off food and that way i won't have to explain my self all from start again..
The reason i have not done The skinning yet is as its early days and would like other advice. And yes its ok for other's to share advice. |
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hiper2009
Banned
United Kingdom
845 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2011 : 14:33:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Kehhlyr
Try getting a small prey item (mouse pinky/fluff) or whatever the smallest prey item it can take, and offering that.
Then as soon as it's in the mouth hold the rat close by for offering as well.
Quite often most snakes will still be in auto-pilot feeding mode and will just snap up the second prey item without putting much thought into it as they're all running on instinct then.
There's a few other methods, getting my boa onto rats wasn't easy it just takes a few goes of different things and they'll start soon enough. SO long as it's not rushed and they're getting enough foods in them then it doesn't matter if it takes longer to get onto rats.
Oh i didn't know you can do that so if i try a small mouse then try the large rat fluff , so i assist feed this or let him strike at the mouse and then grab his head and let him eat the mouse then offer the rat fluff to his mouth and he should take it ? I think i will leave him alone for a few days as he has already bit me today lol.. |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2011 : 17:34:22
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Wow, busy thread for less than one day old.
Ash, good call weaning Mayhem to rats while still young. Adult Brazilians can chow through a lot of adult mice, whereas one medium rat every two weeks suits them just fine.
It is not unusual for a snake to refuse a “new” food item. Some of them switch fast, some take time, and a very few never switch at all….
Try waiting another week to get him good and hungry (won’t hurt him at all), then offer again. Kehhlyr’s suggestion is a good one: get the smallest furred mouse you can find (as I recall Mayhem prefers them that way), and let him start feeding. Offer the rat (scent the head with mouse) when he is about halfway done with the mouse. Do not, however, touch Mayhem or grab him in any way. It should be driven by his feeding instinct, not human intervention, and touching might snap him out of it. With any luck he’ll move right on to the next course.
If he still refuses, try placing both him and the mouse-scented rat in a small sealed opaque container, and put that in his viv. Let it go for about an hour and then check again. Hopefully he will have fed now.
There are other steps that can be tried as well.
Jacketing seems like a lot of work for this early in the process, but you can always try it later.
Fingers crossed! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
Edited by - Snakesitter on 07/02/2011 17:35:19 |
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hiper2009
Banned
United Kingdom
845 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2011 : 21:38:45
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Thanks Cliff , noted all info and will leave him to be hungry and will try him on 14th Oohh thats Valentines Day  Maybe he will make LOVE to the Rat |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2011 : 22:42:12
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Eww, I hope not?
;-) |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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@ Cliff
