Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I just acquired two new baby balls. They weigh about 70 grams each. I have had them for about a week. They ate mice hoppers prior to my getting them. They come out every night and appear to be hungry. I tried feeding them an 11 gram live rat pup last night. They each just took strikes at it when the pup wondered by them. Neither one of the snakes went for the kill. Should I leave the pup in the tub over night? I only gave each about 30 minutes to eat. I would really appreciate some advice from the breeders that deal with baby balls frequently. I have had baby balls before and had never had any issues getting them to eat.

Thanks for the help,
Bill R
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30 minutes to an hour is probably long enough. Leaving the rat in overnight hasn't worked well for me and just stresses them both out. I'd wait a week and try live fuzzy rats again. If they've been eating, they probably aren't very hungry yet. The ones that strike defensively often switch over from mice to rats better than the snakes that just hide their heads... Something triggers and that defensive strike turns into a feeding response. You can probably try fuzzy rats once a week for a couple more weeks before you give up and give them mice.
Paul

If they where eating mice, give them what they where feeding on previously and worry about switching them over to rats at a later time....snakes are stubborn feeders....we are stubborn keepers.
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Thanks,

Frank Roberts

should read snakes are NOT stubborn feeders

...we are stubborn keepers....
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Thanks,

Frank Roberts

Fuzzy mice live put into the cage after dark usually works. They need warm, fuzzy and moving......after dark when all is quiet and still.

Hi,

Thanks for all the advice. I only have rats and do not breed mice. I can get mice if I have to but would prefer to stay with rats. If that is stubborn than I can live with that. I am trying to stay within my means.

Thanks so much,
Bill R.
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0.1 Het Albino
0.1 Spider Het Albino
1.0 Albino
0.1 Spinner
2.1 Super Pastel
0.1 Jungle Pastel
0.1 Het Pied
1.0 Pied 50 percent
0.1 Clown
1.1 Het Lavenders
1.1 Het Caramel Albino
0.3 Normal
1.1 Kids
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Chocolate Lab

I don't want mine ever seeing a mouse let alone eating one lol you might have to keep a scenter mouse around for the first 2 or 3 meals then I don't usually have probs getting them to eat pups and crawlies . . . . .
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