Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got Monroe, my first BRB about a month and a half ago. He was doing great to start out, and had eaten f/t fuzzies twice for me. I took him to the vet also, she said that he looked good but was underweight a little (they measured him as 53g). I don't think that he was 8 months old even though the pet store told me he was (he's also only 22 inches long). They couldn't test for bacteria or parasites though because I didn't have a stool sample.

Since the last feeding, he hasn't eaten even though I've offered warmed f/t fuzzies three times. He hasn't lost really any weight but still is looking thinner. The tank he's in is a 29 gallon that's insulated with reflectix to keep the heat from escaping, the top is covered and the humidity is usually 75-80%. I only use one UTH which keeps that side between 78-85 degrees F depending on where you measure with the temp gun. I'm also getting a Johnson Reptile Thermostat any day now which hopefully will help stabilize the temps. I think it might fluxuate more than I know when I'm not there, also the colder side can be in the 70's at times since it isn't heated and stays at room temp.

Now that all the backstory is laid out (sorry about the length) I need to ask - do you think this is an issue of temps or one of feeding? I was thinking of scenting the f/t fuzzies with live mice or offering a live fuzzy since that's what he was used to at the store. But could temps going into the lower 70's be that deterimental? If so, what low-output heating device could I use to raise them on the cooler side of the tank? Thanks as always.
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Danne
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0.0.1 BRB "Monroe"
0.3 cats "Beast, Smokey & Thelma"
0.4.2 fish

Always better to give too much info about your setup when asking questions than not enough. 85 is too warm IMO for a neonate BRB. Also low 70's are a little too cold. I keep my babies around 78 - 80.

Are their multiple hides for Monroe? What are the temps of his favorite hide or where he is hiding most of the time?

Yes a live hopper may be in order, they can sometimes get picky even after taking other prey items. Not to worry too much, they can go for months without food. Although not recommended

You could run a second UTH on the cool side with a dimmer to keep it relatively cool but warmer than it is now.
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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

Thanks for the quick reply As you can see as a new Momma I get worried about him easily, especially since he was sorta thin to start with.

My thermostat should be coming in soon (hopefully tomorrow or the day after) so that will help keep the temps at a good range for the heater. He has 3 hides, one half over the heating pad, the other at the other end of the cage and a humidity box in the middle filled with damp paper towels. He's usually at the warm end or in the humidity box, although I do catch him crawling all over at night when I flick the light on. That's what really made me think the other end was too cold. Would something like heat wire be good for the other end? I think the thermostat would have 2 probes so I could do both ends.

Also do you think scenting would be worth a try before using live? I've been wanting to get a mouse as a pet (sort of a paradox, hahaha I know) for a while and could use it for scenting if need be. I just don't wanna get him stuck on live for when he gets bigger and starts on adult mice. I also think that better quality mice would help, I was going to try Rodent Pro since they get good reviews. The mice from my LPS are ok but they always end up breaking apart once I warm them up and are messy.
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Danne
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0.0.1 BRB "Monroe"
0.3 cats "Beast, Smokey & Thelma"
0.4.2 fish

Danne, some BRBs that refuse frozen thawed mouse fuzzies or hoppers will take a frozen thawed rat pinkie. Sometimes leaving a frozen thawed rat pinkie or hopper mouse in the cage over night works. Like Dave said ,it’s hard to beat a live hopper mouse, I’ve never had a snake refuse one. Almost all picky eaters will eventually get over it and permanently switch to frozen thawed, it just takes a little time.

I like Rodent pro but I don’t see how it would be worth while for you if you only have one snake. I think shipping would be over 30 bucks and you would have to buy 100 hoppers, not exactly what you need.

Dan

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I have purchased one snake that was a year old, but not much bigger than a baby.

My question to you is: has your brb pooped?

If it has not pooped, normal feeding may have it plugged up. It took me 6 months to get it onto a normal (weekly) feeding schedule. Your snake may have been fed once a month - just enough to keep it alive and a normal feeding schedule has it messed up.

I would continue to offer it food, and after a month to month and half offer it a live feeder.
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Mike

7.13 BRB
1.2 Spotted Python
1.0 Cal. King

When thawing your rodents let them thaw out for an hour or so that way when you warm it up it isn't soupy inside and doesn't want to break on you when you grab it with tongs. Feeding live is not recommended but there are exceptions and that snake will tear that hopper up. Fuzzies are small and it may definately want something bigger. It's like putting a big bowl of ice cream in front of you so they might take a f/t hopper or small adult. After he is established eating a hopper or two then do pre-killed still twitching off of tongs, then not twitching with tongs then when it sees something dangling on tongs it's always good
Bob

maintenance feeding lol. Sorry about my other post replying to your post, I screwed uplol

No Problem - I forgot about thawing too quick and also about getting the f/t too hot.
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Mike

7.13 BRB
1.2 Spotted Python
1.0 Cal. King

Damn Mike, you really have gotten quite a few brb's this past season haven't you? Got any females from the Fred x Wilma pairing or the Savannah x Tommy (think it was Tommy), any from Brain H., any from Will Bird, or anything for the hypo project??? Sorry for all the ?'s but I saw your sig and was like WTF did I miss lol
Bob

Pretty much yes to all your questions - except no recent ones for the hypo project.

2 from Wilma's litter - both nice females
1 from Betty's litter - and she is a stunner
1 from Savannah's litter - a colorful male
2 from Jeff Clark - both really good females - one may be something rally special
1 from Bryan Hummel - only female he had left when I got to the Tinley Park show or I would havebought lots from him

I have had 2 from Will Bird for a while. I have some 'extra' BRB's based on my current plans, but waiting to see how the babies color up.
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Mike

7.13 BRB
1.2 Spotted Python
1.0 Cal. King

Been trying to get pictures, but I have been super busy with work. Maybe I will take time this weekend and hopefully most are not in shed.
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Mike

7.13 BRB
1.2 Spotted Python
1.0 Cal. King