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Q: Feeding switch:mice to rats
Posted By:

anaconda6769

In Relation To:

Hermione
I have a female BP about 14 months,all my BP's have been started on mice,due to availability issues. I have been trying to switch her to small rats since she is grown but she has only eaten the rats maybe twice and then I end up giving in and feeding mice.Any thoughts?! She is 551 grams now.
 I hope this is not cheating but can I ask another feeding question? I have a 100% Het for pied that is about 10 months and not growing very well,he will only eat about every 10 days-two weeks.My records have not been that good,but I feed every time he will eat.i heard that pied/Het for pied are slow to grow?!

Points: 100
Topics: Feeding
Tags: BP, Feeding, Rats
Species: Pythons > Pythons > Python regius
Administrative: Show/Hide

Member Comment 8/31/2009 1:21:13 AM

vonnick52
10-14 days is just fine for the snake to be eating.  I feel the 7 day regiment is over feeding a little bit.

Try feeding a small mouse to get the snake in the mood, then offer a rat.  Do this a few feedings in a row then go straigh to rats.
 
Accepted Answer 8/31/2009 2:31:03 AM

shellboa
In the mood? LOL

Try scenting the rats with the mice for a while...gradually scent less until it's just rat. I keep a tub of really stinky mouse bedding and freshen it up with a new occupant now and then just for this purpose.

As for the pied, yes they are known for being slow growers, can't power feed a snake that won't eat! resign your self to this one taking longer.

I usually feed every 7 days till they reach 4-6 months depending on how well they are growing. after that every 10 to 14 should be fine other than for gravid or post egg laying females.
 
Member Comment 8/31/2009 6:10:24 PM

Sparkle
I just spoke to Amarilrose about one of hers this weekend - she'd put the snake in a tub with a live mouse and a F/T rat.  The snake struck & constricted the mouse, ate the rat, then ate the mouse.  LOL
 
Author Comment 8/31/2009 6:27:36 PM

anaconda6769
Thanks for all the comments. i am a little new to this. i only got my first snake about 18 mo.s ago and he was one a lady said she rescued from someone not taken proper care! I fell in love and now how 5 and have been reading everything I can on breeders sites,forums or anything I can find to make sure I am taking the best care I can! Hermione has been eating 2 adult mice for awhile,I guess that's ok I have heard different opinions on that! Someone told me early on that I should never offer more than one prey item at a feeding 'cause it could make them regurge. Since then I have readand talked to a lot of people who feed multiple mice etc. ?????? Everyone has there own opinion I guess.
With my first baby "Draco" i fed 2 mice for several times and then switched to small rat and he never refused!
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