Reptile & Amphibian Forums

got a quick question. I'm just getting back into red tails and I just purchased a male red tail columbian at the Orlando Reptile Show. The breeded said he'd been feeding the baby live hoppers and I currently have 6 corns that all eat f/t. I've never had a problem switching a snake to f/t but this new red tail, who's about 20", will strike the hopper off the the feeding tongs and then ignore it. I've never seen this happen before any advise?

also whats the best temp ranges for the red tail, i've looked at sites but there are so many different ranges.

I have trouble getting my baby to eat f/t as well, strike but ignore. She will sometimes take live, but she will eat (this sounds bad) a twitching f/k mouse with no hesitation whatsoever.

Well my only advice is to be persistent. Feed live, but only when neccessary. I had a boa who once kept refusing to eat frozen, so I spent literally 20 minutes wiggling the mouse until it took it. Now I'm not saying doing that, but just keep trying until he/she takes it from you.

Another thing that might help, which is what I sometimes use for my boas is I put the frozen mouse inside a cup filled with real warm/mildly hot water for about 15 mins. This actually heats up the body of the mouse, and when you give it to the snake it takes it right away assuming that it is alive. Now I'm not sure if that theory is exactly correct, but I know that it works.

thanks guys he ate and seems to be doing well. thanks for your time again.