Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i was wondering if feeding hamster get finicky and problems eaters to eat more often.....this is the cloeses to a gerbil i can get.....but r there actual facts that a hamster can trigger a feeding respone time after time....because i had a jen. thats about 300grams but she eats only once every 2 weeks...so wat im wondering is should i start breeding and feeding hamsters...do u guys think its gonna get her to eat regualarly w hamsters...and if so wat kind of hamsters do u think i should breed...ive seen siberias and the regulars but ive also seen the teddy bear ones and they r bigger...cause im only planning to feed pinkies and fuzzies no adult hamsters...thanx for any responses.

I would not go the hamster route. I used to breed them for a couple finicky eaters. The hamsters are as much a pain as the finicky eaters. If they get out, they chew on EVERYTHING. But if you go that route, here's my suggestion.

1) Feed a small hamster so the snake is still hungry after only one.
2) Put a small (smaller than the hamster) rat in the hamster cage for about an hour. You want it to get the hamsters scent.
3) Try it with the snake.

You may have to keep this up for a while. But eventually, they will switch over. Contrary to what many say, color may matter more than we think. I had one snake that would only feed on dark-colored prey. It wouldn't touch anything white. It still won't to this day.
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Jay A. Martin

as long as your snake is feeding regularly i wouldn't be really worried. my female ball stopped feeding for a couple of months, which of course got me a little nervous. she prefered mice to rats but the store was out of them an i got a good deal on hamsters. i tried them and she's gained about 120 grams on a little over a month. if you can get them regularly, or don't mind breeding them (just be responsible and don't let them escape, apparently) go for it. i say whatever you can get you ball to eat consistantly is worth everything.

cheers,
pete

I second what Jay said. I've had picky snakes and switching them over can be a pain. Just remember: it's only a pain for you, the snake will eat what it wants when it's ready.

And color plays a HUGE part in what they will eat. For some it may be as important as the scent of the prey. I've got balls that will eat anything I throw their way...as long as it's not completely white. Why? I don't know...maybe the brown rats are chocolate flavored. (j/k)

A few of my other "garbage disposals" couldn't care less about the color of the prey as long as it smells like a rat (or mouse...they all have their favorites).

Be patient, as long as it's not loosing a huge amount of weight it'll be okay and it'll eat when it's ready.
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Sometimes, things are exactly as they appear...sometimes.

i was just hoping that if i fed her on a hamster diet she would eat more constistly then just once every 2 weeks...all my other snakes r growing fast and i want her to be the same...

Red tail boa or cornsnake. BPs are not known for being consistent feeders. Especially during the fasting period. If your snake will eat rats and/or mice and you think offering it hamsters will change its feeding pattern for the better, you most likely won't be happy with the outcome.
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Jay A. Martin

I use chinese,,,russians,,and yes I have used syrians and roborovski's.........I use white footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and mice and gerbils and sometimes even rats.........LOL

I feed live most of the time........

....some of mine eat only one item or the other most of the year.and from time to time during the summer they eat whatever....

stick with rats or mice if at all possible........

........finicky eaters are a pain........

if she eats.....stick with it.........feed her more at one time?....or bigger item?................

........big syrian hamsters will put weight on a ball fast........

...........your choice.........yes.they work well........

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