Posted by:
thebigsquease
at Fri Dec 15 08:50:14 2006 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by thebigsquease ]
I avoid the issue of switch from mice to rats, by.... not starting them on mice. Animals I produce myself, their first meal is a small pup rat. In 2005, every snake took a rat, except for one. By it's third meal, I had it eating rats. In 2006, I produced more snakes then 2005, and had three that would not take a rat pup. Again, by their third meal, I had them switched over. By feeding them mice, meal after meal, I think they imprint on a food source. And when we attempt to switch them over, they do not understand that rats are also a food source.
Some hold off feedings, until hunger makes them consider the options.
I just find it easy to just start with rats, and avoid the whole issue.
I know of certain hobbyists, that have adult animals, i.e. spiders, pastels, etc that to this day, eat only mice. They will not take a rat. Is this a bad thing? Proably not, but it is so much easier to get them started or switched over as hatchlings instead of yearlings or adults.
Good luck.
-----
Ron Billingsley
www.ronbillingsleyreptiles.com
[ Hide Replies ]
|
I avoid the whole issue.... - thebigsquease, Fri Dec 15 08:50:14 2006