Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I don't know what to think. I tried feeding him earlier(he STILL only takes live rats. I had him on frozen and he stopped suddenly and got back on the live bandwagon.) and he didn't eat. He did bite it 4 times, but I think it was more out of defense than hunger, as he didn't constrict or kill it. However, he did go and check it out many times while it was moving and just stopped and stared at it, his face only nanometers from the rat's. I don't know if he waited for a sign of movement, because often the rat stopped moving when Rocky's face was near, or if he was just stupid and outsmarted by a rat who's REALLY smart.

I thought it might have been how I introduced them. I just tossed the rat in right after Rocky, who seemed to be fine with this procedure. In any case the spectacle went on for 2 hours before I separated them. I still have the rat. Do you think Rocky was hungry and stupid or what?
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Scott

Reptiles
--------
1 Colombian Rainbow Boa (Rocky)
1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon* (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Other
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1.0 Betta Fish (Tyrone)
1.0 Hooded Rat* (Clubber, R.I.P.)
0.1 Albino Rat (Isis)

Sometimes snakes don't do so well with the "move to feed box" routine. Is Rocky's enclosure OK for him to eat in - substrate?
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

He's got cypress mulch substrate. You guys told me to feed him in a different box and he's been fine with it for almost a year now.
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Scott

Reptiles
--------
1 Colombian Rainbow Boa (Rocky)
1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon* (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Other
-----
1.0 Betta Fish (Tyrone)
1.0 Hooded Rat* (Clubber, R.I.P.)
0.1 Albino Rat (Isis)

If Rocky's a "he", he may be off feed for breeding season. Enjoy the break. If nothing else is wrong, he'll start eating again in a monthe or two or three.
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Mike Lockwood
www.tooscaley.com

I don't even cool him!
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Scott

Reptiles
--------
1 Colombian Rainbow Boa (Rocky)
1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon* (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Other
-----
1.0 Betta Fish (Tyrone)
1.0 Hooded Rat* (Clubber, R.I.P.)
0.1 Albino Rat (Isis)

How are you heating the cage? With a heat pad or some other under-tank heater? If so, there is a warm spot and the rest of the floor of the cage is cool. Maybe you said it in your first post. I'm too lazy to go back and check... but, where is the animal spending time? Many times, my males will move off of the heat on their own. This usually accompanies a fasting period.

All I'm saying is thta it's perfectly normal for males to go off feed this time of year. Watch for other signs/symptoms (shed cycle, RI, impactions etc..). Let us know if any develop. If there are none, he will come around when he's good and ready.

I'd prolly go at least two weeks before offering him another meal. It sounds like he's striking at the food in defense not offense. A live meal in the cage with him is probably just uneccessary stress.
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Mike Lockwood
www.tooscaley.com