Persistence finally pays off

[CodeRed]

For nearly 2 years I have been trying to get one of my adult jungles to eat rats instead of mice. She's 4 years old now and quite big so eats a lot of mice in one sit. I bought her as a 2yr old, knowing she was a mouse feeder but really thought it wouldnt take this long to switch over.

Well finally, last night she ate 5 small weaner rats sceneted with mouse bits. Tried her on a large weaner (60 grams) but she refused to take that. Probably because it was alot bigger than a mouse. Hopefully over the next 3-4 feeds she'll get up to the point of taking a single medium sized rat. That'll cut about 2 hours off her feeding time

During the last 2 years I tried every known trick in the book to get her to switch. It always came the closest when she was in a feeding frenzy. Last night she launched herself out of the cage for food so I knew I was in with a chance. Every other snake that Ive had to switch over was in a similar feeding frenzy when it happened.

Now only one more really fussy jungle, a yearling bredli, and a pair of childreni to make the switch.

[brucey]

good stuff, im in the process of switching my spotted now, hope it doesnt take 2 years though

[Earthling]

Its always good when they become easier to feed. Congratulations.
Did you try braining the rat?

[CodeRed]

yeah I tried braining, scenting with various things, even live pinkie rats. This jungle would bite and constrict them, but once she tasted it she'd always drop it. But when they are in a feeding frenzy they dont seem to be as fussy. If it fits in your mouth you can eat it

[krusty]

top stuff.i dont mind feeding the smaller stuff mice but hate it when you are still feeding biger ones mice it drives me up the wall.

[Julie-anne]

Snakes can be strange sometimes.
My girl changed from mice to pinky rats no problem at all, took the whole pack of them without hesitation but when that pack finished and i up'ed her to fuzzy rats she's only taken every second or third one offered, even going a few weeks between feeds.

[Glimmerman]

nICE jOB cODE. BeSt oF LUcK

I know that stuffed up feeling. I had a 6 ft adult jungle that used to eat 7 BIG mice a week. 3 hrs to feed. Man that hurt.

[JungleJay]

I had a coastal hatchling that I raised to breeding size solely on mice. In the end it was taking a couple of hours to feed him about 20 mice. Needless to say I was over it. Even after winter cooling he'd refuse a rat. He would strike, constrict then release. I tried scenting and even chain feeding a rat after a mouse but he would get it half way into his mouth then spit it back out. Eventually tried a baby rabbit, worked like a charm.

[dellywatts]

I'm also in the process of switching my diamond. He will only eat a rat if a mouse is rubbed over it and hidden in the tongs behind the rat. Next feed i'm gonna try him on just the rat as he has had a fair few feeds of rat and mouse. I want him to just have a large rat rather than a rat and a mouse, even if it means throwing away the mouse.

[CodeRed]

yeah Ive heard that rabbits are the best way to switch them over. Got a mate that breeds huge rabbits so I might have to hit him up for some pinkies so I can switch the last jungle over

[mertle]

My stimmi and childreni changed to pinkie rats no worries, the stimmi will eat your arm if she could! and she is only a bit younger than a year old!!

So the younger they are adjusted the better I was told

Congrats on finally winning the war with yours!!!!

[Moz]

Code, I will have some "pinkies" kittens for you in a couple of weeks. Congrats on the success.

Cheers Moe.

[CodeRed]

Originally Posted by Moz

Code, I will have some "pinkies" kittens for you in a couple of weeks. Congrats on the success.

Cheers Moe.

Thanks mate,
I'll need them for the last jungle. That one is even fussy on mice.

[angel_saza]

What to people on here prefer to feed - live or frozen (defrosted obvisusly) Do many people breed their own food or buy it from pet shops/breeders?

[skunk]

bloody fussy animals ! if only reptiles were like us asians... eat anything, would make life so much easier !