| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Mikeyboy1992 |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 19:47:02
Hi guys,
Was wondering if anyone can help me. I have a young female royal python and since she has been with me, she has never been interested in anything I have offered her food wise and she has never ever struck for a rat or mouse. All food I have offered has been frozen and thawed. I cant offer live food because it is illegal to do so. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 29/06/2012 : 19:33:11
That's the thing, no you dont! Force feeding is incredibly stressful and traumatic for the snake.
Your snake is NOT sick.
Your snake is NOT about to fade away
Royals can be funny feeders but I haven't heard of any that never eat on their own eventually.
One last time very clear.
*Stop force feeding your snake and leave it completely alone for 2 weeks.
*Change the water bowl every other day.
*Cover the glass with a towel so its totally dark inside.
*when the 2 weeks are up very quietly sneak in a small prey item (a rat pup will do for now) at about 11pm then leave it, leave the room too, not even one disturbance.
It might not work first time or even second but you have months available for that snake to not eat as they use very little energy so actually dont need food all that much. I would say after a month of offering quietly if it hasn't eaten then it is a good idea to visit an exotic specialist vet to have it checked over but this is a long way from right now. At this point you can consider live feeding but only once the vet has given the all clear to do so but cross that bridge should you ever get to it for now its 2 weeks of dark solitary, forget you even have a snake for now and you just have a pet bowl that needs washed every other day. |
| Mikeyboy1992 |
Posted - 29/06/2012 : 00:23:12
See thats the thing. Mine wont even eat it overnight. I would love her to start striking. But she wont have anything. I have to force feed her.quote:
Originally posted by Lotabob
neither, multimammates are multimammates, just another type of rodent. Most good reptile shops will either have them or be able to get them but be prepared for them to be quite expensive. Dont worry too much about striking though, my Royal has never struck anything in its life other than my face once and he even missed that and he is a monster size, feeds most times but only if its left in his viv quietly and left overnight.
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| Lotabob |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 23:26:23
neither, multimammates are multimammates, just another type of rodent. Most good reptile shops will either have them or be able to get them but be prepared for them to be quite expensive. Dont worry too much about striking though, my Royal has never struck anything in its life other than my face once and he even missed that and he is a monster size, feeds most times but only if its left in his viv quietly and left overnight. |
| Mikeyboy1992 |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 22:28:35
Hmm, it looks good but doesnt do gerbils. What exactly are multi's? Are they mice, rats...?quote:
Originally posted by Kelfezond
A&N Frozen Reptile food is a good one.
Multi's are the royal python natural prey, they are kind of like gerbils and irresistible to royals :)
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| Kelfezond |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 22:07:25
A&N Frozen Reptile food is a good one.
Multi's are the royal python natural prey, they are kind of like gerbils and irresistible to royals :) |
| Mikeyboy1992 |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 21:59:13
What are multimamates? And there isnt anywhere near me that sells frozen gerbils. Do you know of any good sites that sell and deliver good quality frozen food? Im in the UK.quote:
Originally posted by Kelfezond
You can try gerbil or multimamates but if she doesn't want to feed she won't :P pretty much just a waiting game.
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| Kelfezond |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 21:52:50
You can try gerbil or multimamates but if she doesn't want to feed she won't :P pretty much just a waiting game. |
| Mikeyboy1992 |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 21:51:38
Do you have any tips on getting her to feed normally by striking? All I have been doing is force feeding her since I had her because she refuses to touch anything otherwise. I hear gerbils are good.quote:
Originally posted by Kelfezond
Sounds like your temps are good - a useful thing for orchid bark is to place it in a baking tray and "cook" it for an hour or so, then when you put it in it shouldn't have any condensation. But that's entirely optional a little humidity never hurt anybody
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| Kelfezond |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 21:45:54
Sounds like your temps are good - a useful thing for orchid bark is to place it in a baking tray and "cook" it for an hour or so, then when you put it in it shouldn't have any condensation. But that's entirely optional a little humidity never hurt anybody |
| Mikeyboy1992 |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 21:04:12
Its only got all that condensation because I cleaned her out fully yesterday and the orchid bark I buy is in a bag from pets at home and it akes about 3 days to get rid of it all. I have taken it all out the bags and i have been keeping it in a well ventilated box to let the air get to it which has helped but all that condensation will be gone by tomorrow evening. It doesnt stay like that for long. I just checked on her and the hot end is around 32 degrees C now and the cool end is around 28-29 degrees C.quote:
Originally posted by Lotabob
If you know your gecko tank is running perfectly then pinch the exoterra digital out and use it on the mat. The stick on ones measure ambient (air) temperatures badly and as you are using a contact heater then the thermometer has to be in contact with it to know what its doing.
As for the thermostat, where is the probe positioned, to get an idea of whether the mat might be too hot as that can be dangerous (a lot more dangerous than if it was too cold).
Health wise, the picture shows it appears visually healthy, its not a great indicator of much but it doesn't appear under weight so as advised it would be a good idea to stop the assist feeding until its absolutely necessary, and try settle her in now into a lifestyle where everything isn't quite so stressful.
Another thing to note is the setup appeared quite humid, in my opinion too humid, if the substrate is moist it will be worth taking half of the substrate out and baking it dry in the oven (100oC for as long as it takes as you need to watch it) and then cooling it and bunging it back in and mixing it together, this should lower humidity. They just dont need it so high the glass gets heavy condensation on it, during the shedding process it is worth while raising humidity but not by having a wet floor, this can cause scale rot which is awful and a pain to treat or even worse the humidity can cause RI (respiratory Infection) and that is an expensive vets treatment if it gets bad.
*took so long to reply I missed 2 replies, I'm not changing it though, lol
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| Lotabob |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 20:33:59
If you know your gecko tank is running perfectly then pinch the exoterra digital out and use it on the mat. The stick on ones measure ambient (air) temperatures badly and as you are using a contact heater then the thermometer has to be in contact with it to know what its doing.
As for the thermostat, where is the probe positioned, to get an idea of whether the mat might be too hot as that can be dangerous (a lot more dangerous than if it was too cold).
Health wise, the picture shows it appears visually healthy, its not a great indicator of much but it doesn't appear under weight so as advised it would be a good idea to stop the assist feeding until its absolutely necessary, and try settle her in now into a lifestyle where everything isn't quite so stressful.
Another thing to note is the setup appeared quite humid, in my opinion too humid, if the substrate is moist it will be worth taking half of the substrate out and baking it dry in the oven (100oC for as long as it takes as you need to watch it) and then cooling it and bunging it back in and mixing it together, this should lower humidity. They just dont need it so high the glass gets heavy condensation on it, during the shedding process it is worth while raising humidity but not by having a wet floor, this can cause scale rot which is awful and a pain to treat or even worse the humidity can cause RI (respiratory Infection) and that is an expensive vets treatment if it gets bad.
*took so long to reply I missed 2 replies, I'm not changing it though, lol |
| Kelfezond |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 20:23:44
Neigh perfect temperatures :) |
| Mikeyboy1992 |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 20:22:24
Ok I did notice those round stick-on ones were crap so I just took them back and bought 2 digital ones. They are the ones I showed in the link before. The hot end reads 30.4 degrees C and the cool end shows 28.3 degrees C.quote:
Originally posted by blackskull
hate to be the one to tell you but those round stick on ones are pants they are not accurate. these are the ones i use
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LCD-Digital-Display-Aquarium-Vivarium-Thermometer-UK-seller-fast-dispatch-/261039093704?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Reptiles_Spiders_Insects&hash=item3cc72477c8#ht_2677wt_952
not from this seller but the same ones, they are far more accurate than those round ones. i have over 12 and never had a problem with them
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| Mikeyboy1992 |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 17:57:31
http://www.petsathome.com/shop/digital-thermometer-by-exo-terra-28245
These are the ones I use for my dragons and gecko but i couldnt afford one of them todayquote:
Originally posted by blackskull
hate to be the one to tell you but those round stick on ones are pants they are not accurate. these are the ones i use
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LCD-Digital-Display-Aquarium-Vivarium-Thermometer-UK-seller-fast-dispatch-/261039093704?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Reptiles_Spiders_Insects&hash=item3cc72477c8#ht_2677wt_952
not from this seller but the same ones, they are far more accurate than those round ones. i have over 12 and never had a problem with them
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| blackskull |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 17:46:22
hate to be the one to tell you but those round stick on ones are pants they are not accurate. these are the ones i use
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LCD-Digital-Display-Aquarium-Vivarium-Thermometer-UK-seller-fast-dispatch-/261039093704?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Reptiles_Spiders_Insects&hash=item3cc72477c8#ht_2677wt_952
not from this seller but the same ones, they are far more accurate than those round ones. i have over 12 and never had a problem with them |
| Mikeyboy1992 |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 17:18:57
Ok I have literally just got in. I did look at those ones with a wire and a little probe but they are £15-£17 each and im broke at the minute. I got 2 of those round ones which you stick on the side though, one at the hot end and one at the cool end. I have taken that section out so she can have the whole space in that tack, I have given her some fake greenery to hide under and when I bought her, I had a half coconut hide so I put that at the cooler end aswell. Il leave the thermometers in there a while so they can adjust to the temps and I will post what they read.quote:
Originally posted by Stewy-C-
I have found an image of one, not the same as mine but similar. http://scalesandfangs.co.uk/reptile_one_thermometer_reptile_lcd_dual_zone_sensor
I would add a cool hide, and maybe a trailing type plant covering most of the tank. I doubt the temps are right if your mat is underneath the "wood?" base on that tank. Sooner you get a thermometer the better.
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| Stewy-C- |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 13:38:10
I have found an image of one, not the same as mine but similar. http://scalesandfangs.co.uk/reptile_one_thermometer_reptile_lcd_dual_zone_sensor
I would add a cool hide, and maybe a trailing type plant covering most of the tank. I doubt the temps are right if your mat is underneath the "wood?" base on that tank. Sooner you get a thermometer the better. |
| Mikeyboy1992 |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 12:59:20
Here is the setup I have for my royal
   quote:
Originally posted by Kelfezond
Yeah a picture of set up would help a lot Mikey. The reason we say a thermometer is essential is that the thermostat's we use have a tendancy to lie, once you get a digital thermometer onto the viv you'll what the difference in what the thermostat says and what it actually is :)
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| Mikeyboy1992 |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 12:35:55
Also while im here, could you please upload a picture of what thermometer you would recommend? just so I know what to look for when I go out today. Thanksquote:
Originally posted by Kelfezond
Yeah a picture of set up would help a lot Mikey. The reason we say a thermometer is essential is that the thermostat's we use have a tendancy to lie, once you get a digital thermometer onto the viv you'll what the difference in what the thermostat says and what it actually is :)
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| Mikeyboy1992 |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 12:07:54
Ok thanks alot guys. Il take a series of pictures inside and out so you can get a clear of what I have have here as soon as I get them all together.quote:
Originally posted by Kelfezond
Yeah a picture of set up would help a lot Mikey. The reason we say a thermometer is essential is that the thermostat's we use have a tendancy to lie, once you get a digital thermometer onto the viv you'll what the difference in what the thermostat says and what it actually is :)
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