Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted last week that my new BRB would not eat (my fist offering of food since I got him). The last time he ate was at the breeder's two weeks ago tomorrow. He ate two hoppers and a fuzzy (frozen/thawed). He was then shipped to me two days later and arrived on Friday. I put him in his tub and left him alone until Tuesday when I double checked his temps and humidity and tried to feed him for the first time. He showed no interest in two F/T hoppers or a F/T fuzzy so I left them in his dark tub for about an hour and then removed them.

I tried again on Thursday with no luck. Once again tonight - no interest. I double checked the temps and they appear to be fine (I have found him on both ends of the cage). He doesn't look real thin, but I don't want him to go to long without eating.

Should I attempt to feed him a live hopper to see if he will take it? If I do, will it be tough to switch back to F/T?

Does anyone else have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Nick

You could try feeding him at night. My BRB have a better feeding response at night.

You could try to place the BRB and the food item in a deli cup at night.

You may want to wait longer that a couple hours for the BRB to eat. Try leaving it in his cage overnight.

Also a lot of BRB like movement when feeding. Use tongs and try giving the food item a few quick shakes, but don't go overboard.

Exposing the brain matter of the prey by cutting into it or just by squeezing the prey items head may cause a heightened feeding response.

Waiting a week may help the little guy to settle in. Good luck.
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Jared Douglas

Thanks for the advice. I had been feeding him at night. I left all the lights off so he wouldn't be disturbed. I also tried shaking the mouse with a set of long hemostats to see if it would help. I wasn't sure how long to leave the mouse in there.

I spoke with the breader today and she said he has only eaten frozen/thawed - never live. She said she always puts them in a small container and leaves them alone to eat. I think I will leave a mouse over night to see if he will eat it. If that doesn't work, I may try a live hopper, but I would prefer to avoid that if at all possible.

Thanks again,
Nick