Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The female Black Rat I rescued from certain death on a WV highway seems to be doing well. However, she refuses to feed on mice, alive or F/T. In fact she gets very defensive and hides!

I really want to get her eating - anything!

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,

John D

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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"

Have you tried F/T rat pups? (safest)

or and almost sure bet, freshly killed or even F/T deer mice (white footed mice).

or if you know someone in your area that raises pigeons, the nestlings can be a starter for very hard to feed WC animals, especially those that are timid. its a non-threatening meal.

The last two of course run the risk of endo and ecto parasites, but the animal was dealing with this in the wild anyway.
eat first - treat later!!
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Regards, Bill McGighan

Could she be gravid?
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Jamie W.

(url)http://rosyboas.tripod.com(/url)

>>Could she be gravid?
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>>Jamie W.

Hmmm....A possibility not considered...
Seems rather thin to be gravid and it is late in the season, but...I will check.

Thanks,
John D
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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"

Got any way to get your hands on some chipmonks?I really think they are one of the blackrats main prey items.At least in Pa..Sometimes the neighbors cat leaves a freshly killed chippy on our porch and my blackrat never refuses them.