Fuscus
Almost Legendary
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2003
- Messages
- 7,897
- Reaction score
- 5
This is how I got a reluctant yearling water python feeding. The history of these animals prior to purchase is a bit murky.
For about 2 months after purchase one of them refused all food. The other one is a very entushastic feeder. I stoped handling her to allow her time to settle and started feeding the other snake in their shared enclosure. She started taking an interest in the garbage guts feeding and was then offered a day old chick at each feed. Eventually she took one. That was three feeds ago. The next feed was also a DYC which was taken immediatly. The third feed was a weener rat. I feed garbage guts and the reluctant one came straight out of her hidey hole and looked like she was going to steal the rat from garabage guts. I immedently offered her a rat which struck instantly. Then I had to keep her away from garabage guts as she was still showing interest in GGs rat dispite the fact that she was still constricting her own. Im glad that she is now feeding, I was pricing finchs.
I use a snall snake hook to offer the (thawed) prey. I put a small hole in the tail (or leg if it is a bird). As the snake shows interest I move the prey away, this seems to stimulate a strike to prevent the prey escaping. Once the prey is struck it struggles (well, I use the hook to jiggle the prey). The hook is easily removed without disturbing the snake.
So in summing up, place a non feeder in an enclosure where the animal feels safe and keep it with with a good feeder. It worked with this individual but may not work with all animals.
I also don't think that it is a good idea to continue feeding both this way, sooner or later there will be an arguement over a food item.
For about 2 months after purchase one of them refused all food. The other one is a very entushastic feeder. I stoped handling her to allow her time to settle and started feeding the other snake in their shared enclosure. She started taking an interest in the garbage guts feeding and was then offered a day old chick at each feed. Eventually she took one. That was three feeds ago. The next feed was also a DYC which was taken immediatly. The third feed was a weener rat. I feed garbage guts and the reluctant one came straight out of her hidey hole and looked like she was going to steal the rat from garabage guts. I immedently offered her a rat which struck instantly. Then I had to keep her away from garabage guts as she was still showing interest in GGs rat dispite the fact that she was still constricting her own. Im glad that she is now feeding, I was pricing finchs.
I use a snall snake hook to offer the (thawed) prey. I put a small hole in the tail (or leg if it is a bird). As the snake shows interest I move the prey away, this seems to stimulate a strike to prevent the prey escaping. Once the prey is struck it struggles (well, I use the hook to jiggle the prey). The hook is easily removed without disturbing the snake.
So in summing up, place a non feeder in an enclosure where the animal feels safe and keep it with with a good feeder. It worked with this individual but may not work with all animals.
I also don't think that it is a good idea to continue feeding both this way, sooner or later there will be an arguement over a food item.
