T O P I C R E V I E W |
CliffW |
Posted - 18/01/2014 : 22:15:43 As previously mentioned, Honey stopped feeding on 17 Dec. Since then she went from 461g to 416g (14 Jan). That's nearly 10% in four weeks, which worried me. So last night I decided to try and tempt her with a 'light snack' (a 25-30g fluff), left in the viv overnight. But when I was putting it in, she came out of her hide and started showing interest, so I held it nose to nose and she struck! Ratty has now gone and Honey is sleeping off her meal!
This is my first experience of the dreaded fast, so what I want to know is: Is that it? Fast over? Back to usual feeding routine (ie out of viv so she doesn't swallow substrate with meal)? Or do I need to go steady, with smaller meals, in the viv, for a while? |
6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
CliffW |
Posted - 25/01/2014 : 16:33:34 I'm guessing the fast's over and I've got off pretty lightly (only 5 weeks)! Honey fed again this morning, very enthusiastically! She missed with the first two strikes, which has never happened before. Could this be because I fed her in the viv, which has a ceramic lamp? The lamp was about 20cm from her when she struck and both misses were in the direction of the lamp. This is the only thing I can think of that could have upset her previously deadly aim!! |
Baobab |
Posted - 20/01/2014 : 02:19:06 I prefer the aspen as its a lot softer and smaller that other substrates. Although when they miss the rat and end up with a mouthfull of aspen, they tend to look a bit stupid until they manage to clear it out. |
CliffW |
Posted - 19/01/2014 : 21:21:55 Thanks - I'll maybe stick to aspen then! |
chrisc |
Posted - 19/01/2014 : 13:50:42 ah not a huge poo then yea it'a a bit to lose in 4 week's just keep a close eye on the weight as your already doing. i tried auboise ages ago but found it more woody than aspen an too absorbent for my liking as would see it stuck to the snake's mouth just from them moving around the viv
one of my old royal's split a rat and ended up eating a mouth full of aspen an didn't cause any problem's they digest teeth an bone so a but of wood wont cause much problem's |
CliffW |
Posted - 19/01/2014 : 13:37:52 Hi Chris - yes she did poo but only about 5g I would think, so still a worryingly rapid weight loss - It seems as if you suggest I feed small and in situ for a while and I was already thinking that way - but she swallowed a sturdy-looking piece of aspen with the fluff on Friday (I'm hoping the wood softens inside her, although I don't suppose it'll be digested!) - I tell myself that they must swallow all sorts of crap in the wild and survive - perhaps if I switch to a less woody substrate eg Aubiose, there'll be less risk of damage? |
chrisc |
Posted - 18/01/2014 : 22:25:49 it could be the fast over but sometime's the will take the odd feed during the fasting period.
did she poo between the 17th dec an 14th jan?
i feed all of mine in the viv long as the rat is dry they wont take down much if any substrate |