Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Regarding my recent post on the Crotalus Atrox that wouldn't eat - the hunger strike (no pun intended) appears to be over. Billy Bob downed a live hopper yesterday.

I didn't really do much different this time. I tossed a cover over part of his enclosure, but not sure that had much to do with it. He probably just got hungry.

This is a conditional success; need to watch over the next couple days to make sure he keeps it down and "processes" it normally.

michaelb

Congrads! I figured hed come around. Now dont try and feed again until he poops and everything should be ok. Glad to hear good news. Skinner

Hi:

Man. Isn't it a great relief when a stubborn snake finally eats. I experienced that relief today myself!

I finally got my ball python male to eat again. (I didn't mention this last time when I was talking about my copperhead because BPs are not venomous). Anyways, my male BP hadn't eaten for two months (since May 27).

It is kind of long story:

Back in May, I finally got my BP to swallow a rat (by sewing a rat to a mouse--see link below for pics/more info). But since then, I have not been able to get him to eat anything.

Today I tried something different: I scented mouse with gerbil. This time, BP hit the mouse right away!

So, the trick I used is scenting mouse with gerbil. Man, what a difference it made. Usually, I have to sit there for a long time waiting for the BP to strike, but with scenting, there was no wait at all!

So, the next time I am frustrated with a hunger striking BP, I am going to use gerbil scent.

Now, in case you are wondering why I am sewing rats to mice (I did it again today with good success!). It is because I very much want my BP to eat more nutritiously. I just believe that rats are sooo much more nutritious than mice. Yet, I have not been able to get him to eat rats on his own without preceding f/t rats with a live mouse.

I am raising rats now and I will have access to live fuzzies. I will try scenting live fuzzies with gerbils (scenting with mice don't work at all!). My rat just had 13 babies today!

In case you are wondering why the first rat I gave to my BP was so large (185 Grm.) It was because that was the only f/t rat I had at the time. The meal was about 40% of my BP's weight (extremely large meal! but no regurge or any other ill effects ).

I have a female BP who eats very well. I am trying to get my two BP's to grow well so I can breed in a year or two.

Anyways:
Congrats on getting your crotalus to eat. I know first hand what a relief it is!.

cheers.
Click this blue line to see my 500 grm BP eating a 185 grm Rat.

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Longtang. I like snakes and rats.