Scenting and switching?

[AneesasMuse]

It is very, very likely that I will have a little Candoia c. carinata at my house next week (weather permitting on his end) ..just finishing up the finalities now... and this baby is still eating Anoles or House Geckos. It's an '07 CBB, from what I've been told.

So yeah... how do I scent rodents and get this guy switched over? I've had folks tell me to just put the pinky in a container with a live lizard for a bit... and I've had others tell me that I have to make a "goo" out of the lizard and cover the pinky with that.

Which is it? :confused:

Any tips, suggestions, links, pics, anything... I need all the help I can get (or this little fella may have to stay where he is :eusa_eh: )

Thanks!

[FloridaHogs]

rubbing, goo, lizard in the tub, or catching the lizard in shed and help it with its skin and putting a little bit of skin on the mouse. All can work, you just have to figure out which one works best for that animal. Tuna water might work as well. Or the ole bait and switch. Good luck

[AneesasMuse]

I knew you would know, Jenea ..yey! Thanks, so much! Now, can you please elaborate on "bait and switch" ? I think I know what you mean.. but want to be sure. :D

[FloridaHogs]

With hoggies, I hold the toad in one hand, mouse in the other (you can use hemostats if it is an aggressive feeder). I hold them close together. When the animal opens his mouth to go after the toad I move it out of the way so that he bites the mouse instead. Usually, once something is in thier mouth they will just eat it. Sometime you might have to do this a few time until they get over the feel of something with hair. Once they bite the mouse, do not move until they start swallowing (you do not want them to spit it back out). You may have to sit there until they finish, it just depends on the animal.

Now what is the comon name for Candoia c. carinata ...some sort of water snake?

[AneesasMuse]

Okay.. yeah, this is what I was thinking. I'll be dealing with the tiniest of tiny pinks, so hair shouldn't be an issue right up front.

This Candoia c. carinata is like the size of a pencil.. length and girth .....smaller than my little Boudin, even. :shocked:

Thanks again!

[Chandler Rep]

I was going to suggest that you use the blender that you make milkshakes in to put in a bunch of anoles, house geckos and frogs and make a slurry...then you can freeze it in portions that can be thawed to dip into....but make sure that everyone knows that you used the blender to so no one will ever want to use it again for anything....:laugh:

[AneesasMuse]

Soooo... I could use the DH's blender for the lizard goo :heh:

..but seriously, does the goo hold its scent in the freezer?

[FloridaHogs]

Soooo... I could use the DH's blender for the lizard goo :heh:

..but seriously, does the goo hold its scent in the freezer?
Well, mice do.....

[Chandler Rep]

I kept a house gecko that died from natural causes in the freezer for months and used bits of it to scent things in the past....so I don't see why a slurry wouldn't...

[AneesasMuse]

You make a good point... I guess I'll confiscate the next dead geckos and anoles that I find at the shop.

I was thinking I'd have to set up a different display with some A. sargei (Bahama or Brown anoles), but this saves me some space for other kids.. err, reptiles :D