Gabriela ATE!!!!

jiboia · #1 (**permalink**) 08-12-2005, 07:29 PM

It was SO quick... I think the mouse didn't stay in her cage for 2 minutes... when it entered her hide box (so unsuspiciously) it was just a quick shot, and a lot of contortion, and no mouse came back...

(I know, I know, I will feed her pre-killed prey soon, but she is wild caught and I was going to stay there watching in case the mouse would hurt her. In a couple of weeks I will try a dead mouse, when she feels more "at home")

I'm so proud of her!!!!!! My first baby snake had her first meal at home!!!!!

Now, that mouse was way too small for her.... she needed a 4 inches rat and that mouse was about 2 inches, I didn't find a bigger one.

So, when I can feed her again? That mouse won't even show a lump in her belly.....

toker · #2 (**permalink**) 08-12-2005, 07:40 PM

Congrats!!

I would still wait a week before the next meal.

wreckwriter · #3 (**permalink**) 08-12-2005, 07:43 PM

I would wait a week but next time, if you still can't get larger prey items, give him 2 or 3. Kill them first though....

louise · #4 (**permalink**) 08-12-2005, 07:48 PM

for gods sake make sure you kill them first!

wreckwriter · #5 (**permalink**) 08-12-2005, 07:50 PM

Yea, its even more critical if you're feeding multiple prey items. One properly sized prey is best but if you can't get it then you do what you have to.

louise · #6 (**permalink**) 08-12-2005, 07:51 PM

look at this thread please

Thinking about feeding LIVE? Welcome to the Live Pile

blkcrochunter · #7 (**permalink**) 08-12-2005, 07:52 PM

Try and get her a rat next time, this time kill it first because it only takes a second for your snake to get bitten even if your watching. Use a pair of feeding tongs to wiggle the rat to make it look alive. And you should be good to go.

hisba · #8 (**permalink**) 08-12-2005, 08:03 PM

Cool, I'm glad she ate for you!
I would only feed prekilled tho, you can kill the mouse and offer it to her (preferably on tongs so you don;t get tagged!) that way it's still nice and smelly and warm but can't hurt her. I know you said you were there to watch, but let me tell you from personal experience.. I used to feed live (before I knew better) and one time a rat got grabbed and coiled by my adult BCI, the rat bit into her neck while the boa was constricting it. I was right there watching this, I tried to open the rat's mouth but no luck, I grabbed a screwdriver and started hitting the rat on the head (without hitting the snake of course) and the rat just bit down harder. Finally she killed it, but had two wounds on her neck. I got lucky, the vet treated with topical ointment (didn't break thru the skin) and she was fine.. but it was VERY scary and nerve wracking watching my boa sitting there getting chewed on and nothing I could do. It was the very last time I ever fed live (1998 ). I tried to add this story to the live pile but by the time I wrote it all up (it was much longer) I got logged out. Anyways... go for prekilled the next time (in about 1-2 weeks). Even if she doesn't eat right away, it's ok, just try prekilled again a few days later and again, and again. If all fails, try leaving the dead rodent in the tank overnight. If all that fails then come post and there are still more ideas.

jiboia · #9 (**permalink**) 08-12-2005, 08:15 PM

Thanks guys!!! I will try the pre killed mouse next time. Since she was so quick, maybe she won't be too picky to eat a dead one.

(Hisba, you totally convinced me with that horror history...)

I just thought she would be very picky because as far as I know, this is her first meal in captivity. I don't think they fed her where she was, she stayed there just for a couple of days.

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