Reptile & Amphibian Forums

for finicky eaters

I've used it to change mouse and hamster eaters to rats. And it works fairly quickly. I can have them completely converted in a little less than 4 months.
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Jay A. Martin

but does it help bp's that show no interest in mice/rats at all i was sold a group of imports that i was told were captive bred and none of them even look at the food and i dont want to try gerbils because they are expensive and im afraid thats all they will eat from then on

If they are imports, you could be in for a long, frustrating process. In general, this is what I'd do:

1) Ensure they have a proper environment away from any distractions.
2) Ensure they are treated for parasites.
3) Leave them alone for at least 1-2 months. Water and cleaning only.
4) After 1-2 months, introduce a small dark colored mouse or rat. Even if you think it could eat more, go smaller. Offer a food item in 2-3 weeks. Keep this up for 6 or more months. As long as they are not losing considerable weight, I would not be too concerned.

This method requires patience. You can use hamsters to scent the mouse or rat. Either way, adult imports are a PITA.
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Jay A. Martin

"4) After 1-2 months, introduce a small dark colored mouse or rat. Even if you think it could eat more, go smaller."

Yep,all they are thinking about is how to escape.
The last thing they want to do is ingest a meal that will slow them down if they get the chance.So the smaller the meal...the better the chance they will get to digest it,(and not regurgitate it).Proper thermal gradient plays a big part of this as well.

Good luck
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Charles Glaspie

n/p