Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Jim is right about these guys loving to dine. Once mine smells the rat he will not flinch at anything that I do. I just hand him the rat and then he'll let me take his waterbowl out and clean it and move his cage around to snap a couple of pics or anything else that I want to do. I have to admit that it is quite refreshing from what I am used to with my vipers. Some of the vipers can be easily spooked and I am used to leaving the room once they all have hoppers or pinks in their mouths so that they can eat in peace. Anyhow, this is my first pic!

Derek

Nice black head. How much are they going for now?

Hey arta

Sorry, I thought that maybe a breeder would chime in with some input. When I was looking to buy late last year they were running $1800-2500 for well-started babies. Thanks for the kudos.

Derek

I am glad he came around!! It is strange you had to manipulate his surroundings to make him eat, but at least he did start eating again. I hope you are feeding several of those meals to him they do most of their best growth in the first few years, he should be eight feet before you know it!

Yeah, I have been feeling a little guilty about how much I have been feeding him, but maybe I am not feeding him enough since he always seems hungry. Again, that's viper mentality to not overfeed because of slower metabolisms. Cool, I reckon that I get to up the anty! I've been feeding him one small rat or two rat hoppers per week. Should I double that? Thanks.

Derek

Derek, It depends how big you want him and how fast. He would be fine either way. They will eat a ton at this stage and grow like crazy! The rat in the pic did not look like he would really put much of a bump in him. I personally feed them several small meals but I am not on a perfect once a week feeding schedule, sometimes they get more sometimes less depending on what the rat population is doing and what else needs to eat. This month my younger animals that are still eating are getting fed like crazy because the rats are breeding great and other animals are breeding and not eating. Just my two cents though! Thanks Tom

...Or lack thereof. I kept waiting for a big, monster load of poo and it just never came. Just a wee wet spot and a small tird. It truly is amazing how much of their food they use instead of turning into waste. For that part, I am thankful that they are NOT like kingsnakes, lol!

Derek