Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[Eddie]

We have a six month year old royal who will not eat a mouse if you just leave it in his viv, in fact he will only eat if you wiggle it in front of his nose and provoke a biting response, however if he drops it or knocks it our the way when he strikes he just ignores it.

If he does not get hold of the mouse in a way which means he can eat it without re-orientating it by letting go and biting it again he just can’t be bothered.

He eats most weeks, I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced anything similar or had any tips to make him less fussy.

Cheers

[Mememe]

Royals can be tricky feeders,
have you tried heating the mouse with a hair dryer?
The heat can provoke a feeding response..

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No man is an Island. Except the Isle of Man.

[Eddie]

I defrost the mouse in hot water so they are usually warm, think he is just a bit lazy!

[Stuart]

run it under the hot tap and get it really hot..If I just defrost my rats in warm water for my sons royal..it normally ignores them but run it under the hot tap for 30 seconds and its watch ya fingers time!..lol
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[Eddie]

Thanks, I will try that - I have always been a bit cautious about giving him something too hot, I have probably gone too far the other way.

[mark]

lol i tryed that before but put the frozen mouse in a cup of boiling water and it exploded the smell was unreal i always do natural defrost then hairdry hot
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boas and burms

[Eddie]

That happened to me once - it wasn't very nice. I think I might give your method ago.

[Stuart]

Mark should never use boiling water!..just hot water out of the tap.
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[mike h]

I thought I was being clever warming a fuzzy mouse in the microwave. Till it exploded that is. Try explaining that one to the wife.

Personally I use a plastic container and hot water from the tap. When ready to feed I had almost boiling water to it to get them hot. I usually dip my finger in to gauge(experience) if hot enough, or if about to burst mouse/rat belly and adjust accordingly. Dry quickly with toilet roll. If hot enought the royals nearly always take very quickly. When they dint I add more hot water and leave a minute then try again.
When they strike and constrict it often helps if you keep gentle wiggling the food tugging at its tail etc. If they have to put some effort in they are more inclined to consume.

regards
mike

[Eddie]

cheers Mike, I will make sure the the mouse puts up more of a fight in future!