Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK, I got a strange one here. I have 3 black rats, all housed seperatley. Various sizes/ages. All are GREAT eaters. I recently got an order of mice shipped, like I always do. 2 of the snakes eat the mice no problem. The other one absolutley REFUSES to even think about taking the new mice. But, if I get one out of the old bag, it eats it instantly. This has went on for a month or more.

So, my question is, for some reason, if there is a foul odor on these new mice, is there any way to get rid of it, or tame it down, so I can use these mice on the 3rd snake also? I seem to remember something posted here a while ago about this, but not sure. Thanks for any help.

I would thoroughly wash some off with plain water real well, dry them off real good with a bland smelling towel, then place with the other mice in the bag the one snake likes. The more favorable scent from the other batch should get absorbed onto the washed/dried ones in short order and be acceptable to the one snake.

Sometimes a heavy urine smell
(or whatever else it might be) can be a turn-off to certain snakes from time to time.

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Thanks, I will give that a shot.

...you get a great answer! I propose a Keeper Hall of Fame and making Doug the charter member! Thanks Doug for all you do!
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See all my snakes at SerpenTrack.com

I like reading Dougs posts even if the topic does not yet pertain to me. I never know when a certian issue might be one I am having in the future

Allen Sheehan

I assume your feeding frozen thawed and let thaw by sitting out.
What I do is to thaw in hot water and can usually feed in about 15-20 minute for mice. 1/2 hr for rats. I then pat dry somewhat with a papertowel so they are not soaking wet. So every batch is rinsed and fresh this way. You can smell more urine in some bags than others thats true.
One thing I've found is that some baby snakes need a stronger scent for a feeding response so to avoid washing that scent away I put the frozen pinks into a zip lock bag removing what air I can and then float the bag in hot water until they are thawed.
The only other thing I've noticed for a feeding problem is if a snake has been fed white mice only for a long time and then its offered a black mouse it may reject it.
Just figured I'd throw that out there.
Mike.

Thanks for the kind words there Brad and Allen!

I usually at least try to be helpful whenever possible.

There are of course many other knowledgeable folks here that share sound advice too. This ratsnake forum can be far less argumentative than some of the other forums, and I really enjoy being an active part of it.

best regards, ~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Granted, there are many other highly experienced keepers/contributors and I don't meant to slight any of those, but I mainly cruise the Pit and Rat forums, and when I think about who to ask you come to mind FIRST ...probably for the following:

The advice is always sound and clearly stated.
The tone is always respectful and encouraging.

Also, you consistently take time to contribute which is what makes a forum valuable and keeps it alive.

...gotta stop now, I'm getting all teary-eyed LOL!
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See all my snakes at SerpenTrack.com

"gotta stop now, I'm getting all teary-eyed LOL!"

LOL!!,..me too!(sniffle-sniffle)

Yes, those are great points my friend!

~Doug

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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

eom
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See all my snakes at SerpenTrack.com

.
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com