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Scottydog
Yearling
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
 Posted - 22/02/2012 : 11:12:25
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Hi all Im starting to get a bit concerned about my sons Royal. We got him in Novemeber and was told at the time that Royals can be very fussy eaters and due the breeding season, moving to a new enclosure etc he may not feed for a while.
Shortly after having him home he shed and again I was told that this may be a reason for him refusing food. I have been in regular contact with the breeder and he has kept assuring me that if he looks healthy and not appearing to be losing weight then not to worry. I have been offering food every week.
Two weeks ago my Royal had still not eaten since Nov. I took him back to the breeder and he offered him 2 live mice (not at the same time) which he took straight away (First time he's eaten since we've had him) 1 week on he refused his his last feed and now Im starting to worry that he's only going to take live from now on. I have however noticed that he has just gon blue again so that could be the reason why.
Can anyone offer any advice or reassurance. He was obviously hungry because he took the live food straight away, Im reluctant to resort to live food if I can help it, but I dont want starve him either.
Should I wait until he's shed and then try once again with frozen thawed? |
1.0.0 Royal Python - Jake
0.1.0 Boa Constrictor (BCI) - Madonna
0.0.1 Snow Corn - Ice
1.0.0 Anery Corn - Ash
0.1.0 Normal Corn - Fire
1.0.0 Spider Royal - Diablo |
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jbarlow91
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
897 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2012 : 12:44:02
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| How do you offer the food do u dangle it infront of the snake so it thinks it is alive this might help and do you warm the head up so it can sence the heat |
0.1.0 snow corn Ruby 1.0.0 ghost corn-Oreo
1.0.0 bearded dragon- kato
0.1.0 bearded dragon- keita
1.0.0 cali king-Taz
0.1.0 royal-Clio
1.0.0 yellowbelly royal- Moose
0.1.0 hognose jinxx |
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2012 : 12:45:48
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I'd personally wait until after his shed, especially if he'll only take live atm - then it sounds as if you're going to have to ask the breeder to help with weaning him on to prekilled prey and finally f/t.I've never done this myself but have heard some success stories. Sounds like he's getting hungry again after a normal fast so with any luck he might take a nice warm prekilled prey next time, especially if you give it a good wiggle about, and wiggle it well when he's coiled to simulate the poor creature's struggles and stimulate his coiling and feeding response. (I have an adult male who comes from the states and who I think was fed live at some point; he likes his rat shaken not stirred lol, but he's a grand eater - hasn't even fasted yet.)
Good luck with Jake - at least he's got something in his belly now. |
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Scottydog
Yearling
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2012 : 12:47:29
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| Yea I dangle it in front of him with tongs, do a little dance until my arm starts to ache and then leave it in for 24 hours. I warm it thoroughly with a hairdryer. |
1.0.0 Royal Python - Jake
0.1.0 Boa Constrictor (BCI) - Madonna
0.0.1 Snow Corn - Ice
1.0.0 Anery Corn - Ash
0.1.0 Normal Corn - Fire
1.0.0 Spider Royal - Diablo |
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2012 : 12:48:06
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| Ah we overlapped J. |
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jbarlow91
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
897 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2012 : 12:59:10
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| Lol looks like ur right again BATS I'd say go for a pre killed if he refuses next time or have you tried offering a rat cause they are supposed to smell different than mice so might go for it |
0.1.0 snow corn Ruby 1.0.0 ghost corn-Oreo
1.0.0 bearded dragon- kato
0.1.0 bearded dragon- keita
1.0.0 cali king-Taz
0.1.0 royal-Clio
1.0.0 yellowbelly royal- Moose
0.1.0 hognose jinxx |
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2012 : 13:11:02
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Lol thanks, J. Yes, I'm always right ...except when I'm wrong lol!
Yeah, the rat's a good idea, especially as rats are better for royals, if only because of their size; when he's bigger it'll be a lot more convenient to feed one rat rather than several mice. And a dead rat is definitely smellier - in fact just heard about a young boa who's turning his nose up at mice and going mad for a rat. |
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Tawfik47
Fully Grown Royal
Czech Republic
1584 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2012 : 13:21:06
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I think it is best for the snake to let it settle, u maybe think 4 months is a long period for a snake to settle, but i will tell u Blitz (my RP) took him 5 months to settle, lost 100 grm (from 660 to 500), but since then he didn't miss one meal
I think all you need is
1-to learn how to serve a pre-killed meal to your royal (which i can't help u with it since i'm using live prey technique)
2-to be patient and not worry, and your royal will surprise u soon hopefully.
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1.0.0 Common Boa - Revo CB13
I had a royal python (Blitz) for two years for those who are wondering what I'm doing here with my boa :D |
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mort13
Yearling
United Kingdom
107 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2012 : 13:43:15
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I have no personal experience of royals feeding issues....yet having only picked mine up yesterday.
However,the breeder advised me on what she finds works well with her royals. She advised me to stick just its head in boiling water for a few seconds ad then to try and make it look as if its walking over to the snake as she's found that some get intimidated if its dangling about above them. As I say though,I'm new to these guys myself.
Good luck,hope you get him to feed soon. |
1.0.0 Royal Python, 0.1.0 Western Hognose, 4.3.0 Corn Snakes
1.0.0 T-Albino Cape House Snake, 1.1.0 True Olive House Snakes
1.0.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake, 1.0.0 California Kingsnake
0.0.2 Occelated skinks, 1.0.0 Leopard gecko, 0.0.1 Cranwell's Horned frog,
0.1.0 Congo Green mantis, 0.0.1 H.Spinifer, 0.1.0 G.Rosea (RCF)
0.1.0 normal c0ckatiel
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Evolution Morphs
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2265 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2012 : 13:49:03
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stick just its head in boiling water for a few seconds
thats what i do
but i just dangle in front of its head
i do that with all my royals
and it seems to work well
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now on facebook
Royal Pythons
http://www.facebook.com/EvolutionMorphs
Western Hognose |
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Scottydog
Yearling
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2012 : 13:52:31
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Thanks for all the replies.
I have been trying rat (perhaps should have been a bit clearer in my first post). The only reason the guy at the shop used two mice was because he didn't have any live rats at the time. Mort13 the point about dangling the rat and intimidating my Royal was something I hadn't thought of so i'll try your walking approach next. Tawfik47 your reply has certainly put my mind at rest knowing that yours took 5 months. Thanks everyone else for your input too, all very helpful and i'll keep you updated on progress. |
1.0.0 Royal Python - Jake
0.1.0 Boa Constrictor (BCI) - Madonna
0.0.1 Snow Corn - Ice
1.0.0 Anery Corn - Ash
0.1.0 Normal Corn - Fire
1.0.0 Spider Royal - Diablo |
Edited by - Scottydog on 22/02/2012 13:53:12 |
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JanieW
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2279 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2012 : 14:40:44
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| Its unusual for a shop to feed rats..have you tried feeding a mouse? |
Peoples Of Middle Earth:
Bert (Staffy) , named after Tolkien's stone Troll
Popeye, African Grey
Gimli (Son Of Gloin), Baby Beardie
Slinky, Baby Royal Python
Fëanor..Baby Mexican Common Boa
Casper 2011 Male Ghost Corn Snake **RIP**
Hoard of Orcs (Dubia Roach Colony)
Pearl & Ivory--African Giant Albino Land Snails
Ra, Taiwanese Beauty Snake
Henry, Western Hognose *Missing*
Pippin, Coastal X Diamond Carpet Python
Elanor, Pastel Royal
Timmy, Western Hognose
Flake, Calico male royal, Eowyn, Arabesque Boa |
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Scottydog
Yearling
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2012 : 18:14:12
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| No I havn't. They told me he was eating Rats ok in the past so I didn't think to try. |
1.0.0 Royal Python - Jake
0.1.0 Boa Constrictor (BCI) - Madonna
0.0.1 Snow Corn - Ice
1.0.0 Anery Corn - Ash
0.1.0 Normal Corn - Fire
1.0.0 Spider Royal - Diablo |
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JanieW
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2279 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2012 : 18:19:57
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| I think offering a mouse you might get a pleasant surprise :) least I hope you do. |
Peoples Of Middle Earth:
Bert (Staffy) , named after Tolkien's stone Troll
Popeye, African Grey
Gimli (Son Of Gloin), Baby Beardie
Slinky, Baby Royal Python
Fëanor..Baby Mexican Common Boa
Casper 2011 Male Ghost Corn Snake **RIP**
Hoard of Orcs (Dubia Roach Colony)
Pearl & Ivory--African Giant Albino Land Snails
Ra, Taiwanese Beauty Snake
Henry, Western Hognose *Missing*
Pippin, Coastal X Diamond Carpet Python
Elanor, Pastel Royal
Timmy, Western Hognose
Flake, Calico male royal, Eowyn, Arabesque Boa |
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Scottydog
Yearling
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2012 : 18:25:33
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| Thanks Janie I'll give it a try after he's shed. |
1.0.0 Royal Python - Jake
0.1.0 Boa Constrictor (BCI) - Madonna
0.0.1 Snow Corn - Ice
1.0.0 Anery Corn - Ash
0.1.0 Normal Corn - Fire
1.0.0 Spider Royal - Diablo |
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Tawfik47
Fully Grown Royal
Czech Republic
1584 Posts |
Posted - 23/02/2012 : 08:28:16
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| Good luck |
1.0.0 Common Boa - Revo CB13
I had a royal python (Blitz) for two years for those who are wondering what I'm doing here with my boa :D |
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Scottydog
Yearling
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
Posted - 27/02/2012 : 08:29:41
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HE ATE HE ATE!!!!
He shed on friday so I thought i'd give it a try last night with a weiner rat. As soon as I opened his door you could tell he was interested, he struk at it striaght away and took no time at all getting it down. My son and I were so pleased. |
1.0.0 Royal Python - Jake
0.1.0 Boa Constrictor (BCI) - Madonna
0.0.1 Snow Corn - Ice
1.0.0 Anery Corn - Ash
0.1.0 Normal Corn - Fire
1.0.0 Spider Royal - Diablo |
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daz2708
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
33 Posts |
Posted - 27/02/2012 : 09:06:28
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| aw thats great news ya must be relived!! i got first royal 6 weeks ago so far no probs mine def likes rats better than mice i switched over aft couple of feeds so far no probs!! |
0.1.0 normal royal (Cleo)
1.0.0 het lavenda royal (hector)
Staffie (Boo)
And 67 Tarantula's :) |
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 27/02/2012 : 11:45:01
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| Hey that's great! Especially in view of the worry about him possibly preferring live. Congrats! |
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Scottydog
Yearling
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
Posted - 27/02/2012 : 12:01:26
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| Yea we're really relieved. Please he took a Rat too, heard from quite a few that theyre better for Royals than mice so all is good. |
1.0.0 Royal Python - Jake
0.1.0 Boa Constrictor (BCI) - Madonna
0.0.1 Snow Corn - Ice
1.0.0 Anery Corn - Ash
0.1.0 Normal Corn - Fire
1.0.0 Spider Royal - Diablo |
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jbarlow91
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
897 Posts |
Posted - 27/02/2012 : 12:48:40
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| That's great news. hopfully there will be no looking back now |
0.1.0 snow corn Ruby 1.0.0 ghost corn-Oreo
1.0.0 bearded dragon- kato
0.1.0 bearded dragon- keita
1.0.0 cali king-Taz
0.1.0 royal-Clio
1.0.0 yellowbelly royal- Moose
0.1.0 hognose jinxx |
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Topic |
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Getting a bit concerned about Jakes fasting
