Feeding Technique(introducing Prey)

ReticMan123 · 10-27-12, 06:33 PM

How do you feed your large snakes?

Currently since my 5' retic has 2 hides hes always in one of them...Once he gets larger I will leave him with no hides but for now its annoying since I feed live....(plz no arguments over that) butr I usually give the rat a good whack then let it wabble into the hides hes under and he grabs it and I lift the hide and monitor the feeding...Have no problem,s ever but sometimes the snake goes into like defense mode and I hear him just striking...Im wondering is that ok to do? Should I actually life the hide and dangle the stunned rat in front of him until he takes it? Should I drop the rat iot and wait the patience game until the snake hunts it? I just want input and advice so I know a good way to introduce the prey and stick to it everytime so he doesn't get confused...On a side note he has become so amazing! his color is just amazing shedding like every 25 days clock work... eating well and hes so tame yet very active I am just loving him and really feeling the bond

thanks guys and more pics soon

Mike

Hillsberry · 10-27-12, 06:59 PM

I would dangle the rat in front of the hide and let the snake grab it. I have hides in all my snake tanks and have no problem. I am just suggesting if you can switch to Frozen/thawed, it is so much easier. Plus once your retic gets bigger and you have to start feeding it rabbits, one kick from a rabbit and your snake it dead.

exwizard · 10-27-12, 09:31 PM

When you feed live, the best thing to do is supervise their feeding. If after 5 minutes, all it does is strike defensively, it has no interest in eating it. That's when the rat needs to be pulled out, wait until next feeding day and try again at that time. It's striking in this way because it wants to be left alone.

I also feed live and have no plans on changing that and have never had any incidents. I realize this is a personal decision and no one knows what works for your snakes better than you do.

SSSSnakes · 10-27-12, 10:00 PM

I have fed both live and F/T and prefer F/T myself. Either way I always get the snake out of the hide and get him moving around before I dangle the prey with a set of tongs in front of him. If they show no interest in the prey and it is F/T I'll lay it down near him and check on him later to see if he ate it. If it is live I take it out of the enclosure and make him wait until the next feeding day. Never leave live prey, stunned or not, in an enclosure with a snake unsupervised. I have seen many chewed up snakes from people doing this.

ZStone · 10-28-12, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillsberry

one kick from a rabbit and your snake it dead.

Rabbits can kick hard enough to kill a snake of that size?

SSSSnakes · 10-28-12, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZStone

Rabbits can kick hard enough to kill a snake of that size?

Yes they can, if they kick in the right area. Just like if a rat bites in the right area it can also kill a snake. It's not likely, but it is possible.

ReticMan123 · 10-28-12, 06:12 PM

everything possible

thanks guys Im gonna try just dangling in fron tof the hide enxt time and coax him to come get diner lol thank you

ReticMan123 · 10-28-12, 06:13 PM

I have good acess to live rabbits when it comes time...rats r much more dangerous and threatening than rabbits because how limber they are

shaunyboy · 10-29-12, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZStone

Rabbits can kick hard enough to kill a snake of that size?

imo rabbits habve the potential to harm a snake.....

i've picked up pet rabbits,who have torn lumps out my forearms with their claws,their feet go a hundred miles an hour,all the time scratching you to bits

i suppose any live prey is going to fight to the best of it's ability,when fighting death

i have NO moral issues with feeding live,i just don't see the point in taking a risk with my snakes well being

cheers shaun

exwizard · 10-29-12, 07:41 AM

I've been following this thread and I observed a few things. First off, the OP asked for specific advice on how to feed large snakes with live prey. He also asked that this not turn into an argument over live vs. F/t. Yet the very next poster advised him against live. This is why I was prompted to answer his question directly. Then most of the following replies proceeded to beat the f/t drum. This is why people are so hesitant to ask questions to begin with. Just wanted to point this out. This is not the first time this has happened. IMO, People should not be made to feel like they have to defend themselves just because they choose to feed live.

SSSSnakes · 10-29-12, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exwizard

I've been following this thread and I observed a few things. First off, the OP asked for specific advice on how to feed large snakes with live prey. He also asked that this not turn into an argument over live vs. F/t. Yet the very next poster advised him against live. This is why I was prompted to answer his question directly. Then most of the following replies proceeded to beat the f/t drum. This is why people are so hesitant to ask questions to begin with. Just wanted to point this out. This is not the first time this has happened. IMO, People should not be made to feel like they have to defend themselves just because they choose to feed live.

No one has started an argument of live vs F/T. Some have expressed their opinions on the subject in terms of the safety of the snake. I think it is not out of line for other to show their concern for the snake's safety on a forum that is for sharing information on reptiles. Allowing a live rodent to enter a hide with a snake that is being defensive is not a good idea. I personally and I'm sure many others have seen what a rodent can do to a snake that is not hungry. The others are only showing concern despite what the OP wants to hear. I have and sometimes do feed live, but will remove the rodent if the snake shows no interest in eating it. If the snakes gets defensive I remove the rodent immediately.

exwizard · 10-29-12, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

...I have and sometimes do feed live, but will remove the rodent if the snake shows no interest in eating it. If the snakes gets defensive I remove the rodent immediately.

I agree with this and all I said all along is that if you do feed live make sure it's supervised and remove when the snake shows no interest. I'm not trying to start any argument either. I know the prevailing opinion here. When people ask questions, they are concerned about what to do to care for their own snakes. IMO, we need to have an environment where people feel free to ask these questions without fear of condemnation.

ReticMan123 · 10-29-12, 12:17 PM

Thank you exwizard. I beleieve you are right with your statement. I have come to feed live now over many years of experience and trial and error and I have never had a problem with it. Rats actually scare me the most once there on rabbits im much calmer. Once a large python grabs hold of a rabbit , 95% of the time that rabbit cannot move much at all. And if it does IM there to do something about it. I actually do feel bad for the rabbits but my snakes g2 eat. I have good acess to live rabbits thats pretty much why I feed live and I will slam a rat against the wall but I cannot bring to my heart to do it to a bunny

. As welll as I find it absolutly unbearable to dethaw frozen prey items so I find live easier./ And although someone may not want to start an arguiment it does. I know all the risks involved and the precausions to take when feeding so I also know the bias between the whole live and frozen prey things as im sure everyone on this forum is aware of too. If anything ever happend top my tic I would blame myself and I feel as long as I do things how they should be done as I have I wil continue to have no problems. He should be off rats within hopefully 6 months anyway. I also want to point out that I just have my one snake. So He consumes all my time and attention. I do not have multiple snakes or even other reptiles , many I feel who have a collection or several snakes it becomes much easier to keep a supply of frozen food. Thanks everyone for the thoughts though hope I did not start anything

KORBIN5895 · 10-29-12, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReticMan123

Thank you exwizard. I beleieve you are right with your statement. I have come to feed live now over many years of experience and trial and error and I have never had a problem with it. Rats actually scare me the most once there on rabbits im much calmer. Once a large python grabs hold of a rabbit , 95% of the time that rabbit cannot move much at all. And if it does IM there to do something about it. I actually do feel bad for the rabbits but my snakes g2 eat. I have good acess to live rabbits thats pretty much why I feed live and I will slam a rat against the wall but I cannot bring to my heart to do it to a bunny

. As welll as I find it absolutly unbearable to dethaw frozen prey items so I find live easier./ And although someone may not want to start an arguiment it does. I know all the risks involved and the precausions to take when feeding so I also know the bias between the whole live and frozen prey things as im sure everyone on this forum is aware of too. If anything ever happend top my tic I would blame myself and I feel as long as I do things how they should be done as I have I wil continue to have no problems. He should be off rats within hopefully 6 months anyway. I also want to point out that I just have my one snake. So He consumes all my time and attention. I do not have multiple snakes or even other reptiles , many I feel who have a collection or several snakes it becomes much easier to keep a supply of frozen food. Thanks everyone for the thoughts though hope I did not start anything

The fact that you allow a live rat into a hide with your snake totally discredits all of the bold statements.

exwizard · 10-29-12, 02:12 PM

A simple solution for the OP would be to remove all the "furniture" before feeding this snake, for future reference. See how this can be advised without condemning him?