Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay. So Katrina (249g BP) hasn't eaten in about six weeks. When I first got her two months ago, she ate a frozen-thawed weaned rat. (I think she only struck at it because I was tormenting her with it.) A week later, she ate another. Since then, she's been off feed and dwindling a bit in size. She's just gone into shed, but I was out today so I stopped at PetsMart and picked up a little black gerbil. (Another story.)

Golly! Those gerbils can jump! Katrina was very interested in the little black gerbil, and kept striking. Alas! The little black gerbil kept leaping from her snapping jaws.

At least she's hungry again, but she can't seem to catch the little black gerbil. Perhaps her foggy eyes are keeping her from judging proper distance?

Other than bludgeoning the little black gerbil, are there any other suggestions? Would she be better afforded to catching the little black gerbil once her eyes clear up? Would her chase today prep her for a frozen-thawed dinner? Any ideas?

Thanks,
Chris
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"I don't know about you...but I find comfort in that." -- Cowboy

Perhaps the ball does not want to eat. Just wants to chase it a way.
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RicK @ BbI

Ball Boutique,Inc.
Proud sponsor of this forum

And perhaps I have a new pet gerbil. That's okay. I bought gerbil food just in case. But gosh...Katrina needs to eat!

Chris
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"I don't know about you...but I find comfort in that." -- Cowboy

carefull with gerbils though, those little buggers have teeth!!!! big ones.
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1.0 green iguana-Deitrich
1.1 Common Boa-Un-Named, Ursula
1.0 Ball Python-Anabell (go figure!)
1.0 Red Tegu-Uteg
1.0 Albino Cal King-Pig
0.1 Mexican Black King-Morticia
1.1 Bearded Dragons-Unnamed, Hanabil
1.0 Albino San Diego Gopher-Unnamed
0.1 Hermans tort-Esio
1.1 JCP-Milton, Medusa
1.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn-Unnamed
0.1 Snow Corn-Unnamed
1.0 Hypo Okeetee Corn-Unnamed
0.1 Motley Okeetee-Unnamed
1.0 Western Hoggie-Wyrm
0.0.1 Rose Hair Taruntla-Unnamed
2.0 Leopard Geckos-Reptar, Pogo
4.1 cats-Tucker,Poe,Abhib,Emerald, Felicity
0.1 Bullmastiff-Asha

.
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Chad Bachman

Umm, I just had 2 slices of pizza for supper...
Katrina
(the person type)

Have you tried black mice also? Sometimes it's all in the color. Deer mice work great to.
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Chad Bachman

Try to put the gerbil in a ziplock bag, and just hit it on a hard surface to knock it out even. Those teeth can do some damage to your Katrina!!! She should take it fine since she's eager to get it already. If she doesn't seem interested since the gerbil isn't moving around this time and jumping away, try tongs and wiggle the gerbil in front of your snake. Should be nabbed right up and eatin. Good luck!

If she was already eating rats I personally would not be feeding gerbils. Take the gerbil out and try a rat now that her feeding instincts have kicked in. Give the gerbil to some kids as a pet.

Mark

>>Okay. So Katrina (249g BP) hasn't eaten in about six weeks. When I first got her two months ago, she ate a frozen-thawed weaned rat. (I think she only struck at it because I was tormenting her with it.) A week later, she ate another. Since then, she's been off feed and dwindling a bit in size. She's just gone into shed, but I was out today so I stopped at PetsMart and picked up a little black gerbil. (Another story.)
>>
>>Golly! Those gerbils can jump! Katrina was very interested in the little black gerbil, and kept striking. Alas! The little black gerbil kept leaping from her snapping jaws.
>>
>>At least she's hungry again, but she can't seem to catch the little black gerbil. Perhaps her foggy eyes are keeping her from judging proper distance?
>>
>>Other than bludgeoning the little black gerbil, are there any other suggestions? Would she be better afforded to catching the little black gerbil once her eyes clear up? Would her chase today prep her for a frozen-thawed dinner? Any ideas?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Chris
>>-----
>>"I don't know about you...but I find comfort in that." -- Cowboy

Yeah. I did that. By morning, we'll see if the frozen-thawed rat is still there. And I'll probably keep the little black gerbil as a quasi-pet...for now.

Thanks To All,
Chris
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"I don't know about you...but I find comfort in that." -- Cowboy

Well...I introduced the little black gerbil to Katrina again today. She didn't seem too interested, so I guess I have a new pet gerbil. Maybe I'll name him...Lucky.

Chris
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"I don't know about you...but I find comfort in that." -- Cowboy

Be aware that if the ball does take the gerbil, there might be a slight chance that it could develop a preference toward gerbils and not take rats again. Six weeks without eating, for a ball, is nothing to be worried about as long as its got good body weight. I've had one of my females go as long as 5 months before she decided to eat again. Hang in there.

Eric