Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys,

The 2 year old male ball I rescued with scale rot is doing better. He just has some scarring left but still hasn't fed since April. He has started to strike when offered but I feel it is more of a defensive strike than a feeding one. He is definitely afraid of food and from the scars I'd guess he's been fed live at one point and been bitten.

Any suggestions on how to get him over this fear would be greatly appreciated.

Thnaks in advance.

>>Hi guys,
>>
>>The 2 year old male ball I rescued with scale rot is doing better. He just has some scarring left but still hasn't fed since April. He has started to strike when offered but I feel it is more of a defensive strike than a feeding one. He is definitely afraid of food and from the scars I'd guess he's been fed live at one point and been bitten.
>>
>>Any suggestions on how to get him over this fear would be greatly appreciated.
>>
>>Thnaks in advance.

My thought is that, regardless of his condition, he has kicked into breeding mode and not eating till the sun shines more. That said, have you tried just leaving the prekilled or F/T prey in with him overnight? Do you KNOW that he ate before April and if so what? How is his weight?
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Sonya

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with the software.

Yes, I have tried leaving it overnight, he just refuses to move. He's terrified of it.

I don't have very much history on him at all, much as I would like. He's had at least 3 previous owners and may have origionally been WC. His last owner got him in April and he never fed for them, it's possible the one before that also gave him up for non-feeding so who knows how long he's actually went without food. His weight is stable and he has a good amount of muscle on him. He is approx 30ins and weighs 750g.

I have been keeping him covered so as not to frighten him or stress him out even more, do you think I should give him more daylight?

Thanks for your help thus far, any suggestions are welcome as I am at a loss.

If it were me I would uncover him and or set him up in a sterlite tub. Once any changes are done to his environment let him sit unbugged for at least 2 or 3 weeks. Don't handle him or anything. Just clean the cage and water. By then it will be mid to later February and he will be hitting 'Spring' wake up.
Then I would offer a frozen thawed , smaller than I would normally think sized rat. Honestly if it were me I would probably offer a subadult gerbil F/T. I raise my own and can afford the luxury. Then you can try, if he eats it, weaning him to scented rats thereafter. Just put the prey in in front of the hide he is in, right before lights out. Then leave him entirely alone til morning.
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Sonya

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with the software.