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Help with bad feeder!

So I talked to the guy today (who is awesome btw!) and found out that the 'scar' on her back isnt actually a scar, his friend, the breeder of Kat, told him its the equivilent of a birth mark. Her brother has it too and I guess he's been producing some funky colored snakes for the guy. He also feeds her smaller prey so she doesnt get intimidated by the prey item. In all my newbiness I think I got a bit too paranoid and jumped the gun here. :eek:
 
ApexPredatorBoids said:
Body weight looks pretty good, so I don't think you need to panic any time soon. Offering a variety of live feeders may end up being your best bet. It's all just a matter of finding that subtle nuance that'll trigger a feeding response. Just be aware that you'll want to monitor the situation and not leave a live feeder alone with the snake for very long, if at all.

When are you offering the feeder, and how long are you leaving it in the enclosure? If you haven't already tried it, the next time you offer a feeder, do so late at night with no lights on. Also, try leaving it in overnight. If you're using belly-heat, don't leave the feeder on top of the heated area for extended periods, as that'll greatly increase the rate of decomposition. Have you tried braining the rodents before offering?
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I have tried leaving it in (found her sleeping on it the next morning:eek:) and i've tried braining it. She still refuses.

Thanks for all the replies, guys!
 
PlatinumRosePythons said:
the equivilent of a birth mark. Her brother has it too

He also feeds her smaller prey so she doesnt get intimidated by the prey item.
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Never heard of a snake having a birth mark especially one like that (looks more like something scratched her back) maybe some more experienced breeders could verify that better. If it is something genetic to that bloodline I wouldn't breed her. I don't think that you would have much luck selling snakes with marks on them like that. She would still be a great pet though.
As far as the smaller prey items the mojave I mentioned earlier in this thread is the same way so when she is feeding I just offer her 2 smaller rats.
 
jtipton said:
Never heard of a snake having a birth mark especially one like that (looks more like something scratched her back) maybe some more experienced breeders could verify that better. If it is something genetic to that bloodline I wouldn't breed her. I don't think that you would have much luck selling snakes with marks on them like that. She would still be a great pet though.
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Sorry, I worded that wrong. Apparently her brother has produced a paradox albino and a reverse paradox normal in one clutch. Pretty cool looking snakes !
 
If the scales in that area are not abnormal in appearance or texture....I could buy the funky mark not being a scar, however that is an EXTREMELY common place for a BP to have a scar.

I used to live in Biddeford, pretty close to where you are. You are correct that there aren't many feeder options around there. When I lived there I bought my frozen from PetSmart (the easiest option at the time for my 2 BPs), and on the few occasions I needed live, they had mice and rats. I don't know if their policy has changed, but when I shopped there they would not sell live animals if they knew they were for food (ironic since they sold BPs and boas).

Another option is to post your own Craigslist ad telling folks what you need. I would be willing to bet you will get replies from other herp keepers in the area as to where to go.

As to the issue with the live food and your mom not being on board....that's a bummer, but as a soon-to-be homeowner, I understand her concerns. You can let her know though that I bring home 15 live rats at a time every 10 days, to a teeny apartment, and the smell is gone within an hour of everyone eating.

Good luck to you!
 
skirtinthedirt said:
If the scales in that area are not abnormal in appearance or texture....I could buy the funky mark not being a scar, however that is an EXTREMELY common place for a BP to have a scar.

I used to live in Biddeford, pretty close to where you are. You are correct that there aren't many feeder options around there. When I lived there I bought my frozen from PetSmart (the easiest option at the time for my 2 BPs), and on the few occasions I needed live, they had mice and rats. I don't know if their policy has changed, but when I shopped there they would not sell live animals if they knew they were for food (ironic since they sold BPs and boas).

Another option is to post your own Craigslist ad telling folks what you need. I would be willing to bet you will get replies from other herp keepers in the area as to where to go.

As to the issue with the live food and your mom not being on board....that's a bummer, but as a soon-to-be homeowner, I understand her concerns. You can let her know though that I bring home 15 live rats at a time every 10 days, to a teeny apartment, and the smell is gone within an hour of everyone eating.

Good luck to you!
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I am actually banned from my local PetSmart because someone lied to them and told them I had fed a hamster I bought there to a snake(I didnt, obviously) No idea where they got that from since I got my frozen rodents there and they knew me fairly well! :shrug01:
 
If I didn't have first hand experience with this particular PetSmart I would be skeptical of your "banned for life" story....but I know people who have been banned from that particular store just for askingasking about live feeders. I find it inconceivable that a pet store can sell snakes and also refuse to sell food that may be required to keep them alive and happy. Yes, we all know that feeding frozen is the "best' for them (which I don't necessarily agree with), but the fact is, sometimes these guys need live food. If you sell the snakes, you should sell their food.

But this is not about PetSmart. It's about you and the snake. I still say CL is gonna be your best bet, or hit up a friend to hit up PetSmart for you.

I have had to fast healthy adults for 4-6 weeks in order to get them to eat f/t readily and regularly. They are stubborn creatures, and have their own agenda. If live is not an option it might come down to a battle of wills...as long as she's not losing a ton of weight. But it's still early. I recommend patience above all else, and I personally would avoid 'special food" at this point unless you want to struggle with her forever. If she refuses food for another 2 months....then maybe.

Keep track of her weight. If you can, bring her to the vet. I would recommend a fecal once she defecates, or your vet may be able to swab one out of her. My vet explains it to people like this: When you are considering an animal that's not eating, you have to count meals, not days. If an adult dog skips 4 meals, it hasn't eaten in 2 days. Concerning, but he's not going to die. If a BP skips 4 meals, that's 4-8 weeks. Again, something to pay attention to, but it takes a lot longer than that to kill an otherwise healthy snake, or dog, or whatever.

Ask your seller when she last ate, and what his feeding schedule was, then calculate how many meals she's missed. It's more accurate than thinking about days.
 
Just wanted to add my own two cents here. I sold the female in question to Kelsie. And she was sold with the understanding that she is a sporadic eater. Here is the link to the ad on Fauna.

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=358826

As for the scaring on her back that is from birth. She and her brother which produced my two paradox animals this year have the exact same marking. I purchased these two at 28 grams for the female and 47 grams for the male. Both came with the line down their backs it has never gone away and along with the yellow "albino" scales on each of them,(highlighted in the picture) I believe it to be some type of marker for producing paradox. I can not prove it yet but hope to with the male and a hold back female paradox normal from him over the next few breading seasons. I have included pictures of the brother taken today to show he is the same size as the female weighing in at 1100 grams and he is also a sporadic eater taking only small frozen thawed rats. IF I am correct in the genetic marker for producing paradox she will be worth more than the price regardless of how she wants to feed.

I have asked Kelsie to keep me in the loop I do not want her to think she is stuck with a bad animal nor will I abandon her. She asked about shipping her back because she was as she said freaked out, but with her temps in the high teens at night and ours in the mid to high 20's it is not smart to ship right now I will refund and take back the snake if she is not able to deal with this girl. Being her first adult ball with feeding issues it can be a bit unnerving as we all want our animals to do well.
 

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preacher said:
I have asked Kelsie to keep me in the loop I do not want her to think she is stuck with a bad animal nor will I abandon her. She asked about shipping her back because she was as she said freaked out, but with her temps in the high teens at night and ours in the mid to high 20's it is not smart to ship right now I will refund and take back the snake if she is not able to deal with this girl. Being her first adult ball with feeding issues it can be a bit unnerving as we all want our animals to do well.
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Well at least she has the breeder willing to work with her if she can't get this girl on track. That should take a load off her mind. The ad did say "eats sporadically". I'm sure if she gives her a little time she'll do fine.
 
preacher said:
Just wanted to add my own two cents here. I sold the female in question to Kelsie. And she was sold with the understanding that she is a sporadic eater. Here is the link to the ad on Fauna.

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=358826

As for the scaring on her back that is from birth. She and her brother which produced my two paradox animals this year have the exact same marking. I purchased these two at 28 grams for the female and 47 grams for the male. Both came with the line down their backs it has never gone away and along with the yellow "albino" scales on each of them,(highlighted in the picture) I believe it to be some type of marker for producing paradox. I can not prove it yet but hope to with the male and a hold back female paradox normal from him over the next few breading seasons. I have included pictures of the brother taken today to show he is the same size as the female weighing in at 1100 grams and he is also a sporadic eater taking only small frozen thawed rats. IF I am correct in the genetic marker for producing paradox she will be worth more than the price regardless of how she wants to feed.

I have asked Kelsie to keep me in the loop I do not want her to think she is stuck with a bad animal nor will I abandon her. She asked about shipping her back because she was as she said freaked out, but with her temps in the high teens at night and ours in the mid to high 20's it is not smart to ship right now I will refund and take back the snake if she is not able to deal with this girl. Being her first adult ball with feeding issues it can be a bit unnerving as we all want our animals to do well.
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Just wanted to say I am in no way trying to make you look bad, and I did clarify in an above post what you said the 'scar' was. I just kinda got freaked out with her because she is my first breeding age adult ball, but our talk really reassured me and I thank you for keeping in contact with me :yesnod:
I really DO like her, she's a little beauty and almost looks hypo in appearance.... She's just got me a little paranoid right now lol!
 
Not sure if it's been mentioned yet, but that type of scarring is common from them scraping against what they've been hiding under. Mine get it when they squeeze under their water bowls. When I notice it, that's my cue that they're getting too big and need a new hide/water bowl arrangement.
 
One thing that Richard and I discussed was the possibility that shipping in the cold weather may have put her in ovulation. I noticed today as she was cruising around that she wagged her tail like a dog a couple times, I also noticed her doing that about 5 days after I got her. Correct me if i'm wrong, but isnt tail wagging a sign that she's ready to breed?
 
SHE ATE TONIGHT!!!!!!:?party:

I had this idea to put her in a small container and cover her with a blanket. I left her like that for an hour (supervised of course!) and then offered her a heated up small rat and boy did she take it! Snatched it out of the tongs and rattled the container! Scared the living daylights outta me! She's my first adult ball and the power behind her strike is amazing! Thanks for all your help everyone!!
 
Congrats Kelsie. I'm glad that she finally ate for you. Hopefully she will keep at it. Good Luck
 
Wait'll she starts shooting out of her tub looking for food every time you open it. :eek:

Congrats!
 
Shadera said:
Wait'll she starts shooting out of her tub looking for food every time you open it. :eek:

Congrats!
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I have this issue... and to top it off, her tub is barely above my eye level, and shes usually staring me in the face hoping for rat. lol

Congrats to the Op for getting her to finally eat. The blanket over a small tub seems to work when all else fails. Good luck with her!
 
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