Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I've been having a pain of a time with my little male red blood lately and since I feel like I've tried everything, I thought I'd post my predicament to see if anyone has any suggestions. When I first got the little bloods I started them out on f/t hamsters, since that's what I had that was of appropriate size (I since spoke to Kevin of NERD who told me that hamsters are a BIG no-no as they are VERY tough to get snakes off of once started). The thing was, though the female struck and constricted hers enthusiastically, the male just gently took his and swallowed it. It was very cute, and his temperment is as mild as his feeding response -- he's never struck. At ANYTHING. Which is sort of the problem.

The female EASILY switched over to rats a couple months ago, but the male will not eat rats. I've tried scenting the rats with hamster, braining them, and even draping them with hamster guts (yum). I have offered him a prekilled rat, which he was uninterested in. Whenever I offer him something, I generally leave it in his box with him, as he used to occasionally take his hamsters like that instead of off the tongs. If it's a hamster, he'll usually eat it, but not a rat.

He's starting to look thin and I'm getting worried about him. Is there anything that I haven't done or haven't thought of? I don't want to give him a hamster, as I'm trying to get him off of them. But I'm worried about his weight -- the female is about three times his size by now! Does anyone have any suggestions?

Sorry for the long post,
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Kitt

well, other than dressing your rats up in cute little hamster outfits, the only thing i can think of is maybe using chicken broth, as i have heard that the smell will trigger an eating response in most snakes. however, if you would like to buy cute little hamster outfits, you can purchase at www.acme.com (tell em Sam sent ya)
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"What do I look like? An employee?!?!
1.0.1 Columbian Redtail (Odin, Ash)
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python (Eden)
0.0.1 Blood Python (Rambo)
1.0 Dumeril's Boa (Genghis)

"Please.....just answer the friggin question!!!"

This might help: Take a well warmed rat on tongs and rub it on the bloods tail a few times and then hold it still near his nose. If you don't get a strike try moving the rat slowly away from him. If he still does not strike then leave it with him and he may eat it. Bloods are cadual-they use their tails to entice prey in the wild. This is not readily displayed in captivity but this is one way I have got them to strike F/T. I wish you the best with him-Bill