Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When will my retics grow up and stop being afraid of their food items? They both eat, but for the first 3 minutes or so, they are too busy gaping at it, and running away.

When can I expect a stronger feeding response?

Thanks
Chris

Hey Chris, how old are the retics? Are they babies? I've always thought that strong feeding responses are inate and therefore there wouldn't be any "growing into" of a strong feeding response. But I could be wrong and maybe some of the experts on this board can be more insightful.

an injured sissy retic from the rat fighting back with your animal. I would use tongs to offer the prey item and then you won't have to worry so much about your retic being a sissy. Just my feelings anyway. Good luck with your animal.

What makes you think I dont already do these things? I dont feed ANYTHING live. and personally, I like my fingers, so why wouldnt I use tongs?

They are just very defensive of their food, and strike at it with the mouth gaping thing, and dont tend to eat. Only occasionaly do they eat.

Thanks
Chris

you were feeding live animals to them. I have never had a problem with my retics gaping at their food unless they were about to shed and uninterested. Perhaps the temp's aren't high enough to provide a feeding response in the animal. Just trying to help. I didn't mean for it to sound like I was taking a swipe at you. Just sounded at first like the prey items were live. With a picky feeder that could be trouble. Here is a shot of my baby male cb boelens. Good luck. Frank Kincade.

Oh. No, I didn't take it as a "swipe" or anything, sorry if I responded that way. I appreciate your help, just didn't know where you got that from.

I will try upping the heat in the cage, maybe I should add an extra hide or two?

Thanks
Chris

PS very nice boelens, lucky sob. lol