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blundey
Hatchling
86 Posts |
 Posted - 29/01/2010 : 17:58:41
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Hi guys, its been a bit hit and miss over the last few weeks, maybe months.
Indie was a ferocious eater when he was in his rub and smaller. He would jump out for the food. I moved him to a 3ft viv in the summer, and he remained to eat fine, took a little longer than usual but it was OK.
Now the cold spell started, he still came out his hide and sniffed the food, and then just stare at it. I move it he gains interest, then loses it. I can tell he wants to eat it, but a trigger in his head is just not snapping as it used to.
This went on for about 3-4 weeks, and then he finally ate a small rat. Its probably been 5-6 weeks now and ive attempted every 7 days, then left it 14. Still he comes out looks like he wants to strike it, then loses attention.
I strike feed him, he will not eat if its left there over night. I heat the rats in boiling water prior to offering, ive tried hair dryer, ive tried braining, ive tried exploding (accident).
A little more about his setup...
The viv is 3ft, he is about 3ft maybe a little longer, but he is not chunky. In fact he could of had his food upped a while ago.
His hot end is about 33c ontop of the hide, but inside the hide its roughly 26c. Cold end im unsure of...probably 22c...
Humidity is always around 40-50%.
Oh few more things, he has not **** in about 6 weeks. He has not shed in i dont remember how long! Almost 6 months i tihnk if not longer.
He was born May08.
Any help appriciated. He hides most of the day and night under his log. Pops out to drink water, but thats it.
Hope there is enough info there to aid in getting him to feed, |
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reptilekeeper1992
Yearling
United Kingdom
331 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2010 : 18:12:32
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my royal is going through that stage at the moment.
Some people might say that a 2ft vivarium would be better for your royal, but if you say that he has been eating in there before hand with no problems, then the space of the vivarium is fine.
I would up the humidity to between 50-60%
If it is a strike feeder then the 'put the snake and food in a small box and leave it alone' trick is kind of ruled out.
Was it eating mice before? Try scenting the rat with a mouse (rub the mouse over the rat) if so or maybe put the skin of a mouse over the rat so that the scent is there and it disguises the rat.
Someone with more non-feeder royals will be here soon to tell you their ideas.
Sorry i couldnt have been of any more help |
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blundey
Hatchling
86 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2010 : 18:17:44
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Unable to up the humidity unless i spray water in there. Hot bowl under light has no effect.
Its never eaten a mouse, only rats...
Thanks for your help thus far :) |
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matty198111
Yearling
United Kingdom
174 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2010 : 18:25:34
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did have a simular problem with one of my royals awhile ago, he always strike fed but wouldnt take anything, so i brained a rat and rubbed it around a box and left the snake in there over night to get his mouth watering and the next morning i tried another rat and he took it straight away.
not saying this will defo work but it maybe worth a try.
mat |
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337smile
Yearling
296 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2010 : 18:27:31
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Hey. My male has become lazy eating recently too. Used to strike as I was just taking RUB lid off. Two out of last three feeds he hasn't struck and i've left it in overnight and he ate it. Have you tried leaving it in viv?
It is also very common for males not to eat over winter months as their minds are on something else. You got nothing to worry about yet  |
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chris100575
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
743 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 11:10:45
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| Princess isn't eating at the moment either, I think it's a seasonal thing. |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Princess
0.1.0 BCI - Feather |
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blundey
Hatchling
86 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2010 : 13:04:44
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ive tried leaving it in, and its worked one time out of the all. He simply isnt aggressive enough at the moment....i was thinking maybe its time to 'rattle the cage and fire him up' but that would simply have the opposite effect'.
Im only concerned as he isnt really a large size, he is quite long and slender, and you can see his backbone sometimes depending on movement. Maybe I should take pics!? |
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STICKS
Yearling
United Kingdom
408 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2010 : 15:54:35
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| Hi there i tryed reptilekeeper 1992 suggestion about senting the rat with a mouse. heated both up with boiling water left them foe a few and then emptyed the water and rub them together put the both next to each other in a bowl and gave her the option she came out the viv into the rub and helped herself. yes,yes she took the rat and left the mouse.thanks for all you help 1992. |
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Topic |
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Interested but scared of rat?
