I bought my first snake last November, a young male BRB. The store owner swore he was eating previously frozen mice. Well, I did everything 'right' with temp, humidity box, limited handling, nice habitat, etc... He went about 6 or 7 weeks without eating despite various attempts in light, dark, tank, bag, etc... A Vet $$$ tested a 'small' stool sample and all looked good. She force fed him, and showed me how. My wife was not thrilled with this, but she went along because the guy's life was at stake. During one force feeding with a pinkie coated with egg yolk (for lubrication and added nutrition)the pinkie did not go in well at all, and fell out onto paper on the floor. It was juicy and bloodied from punctures from the foreceps. Well, thats what it took! This seemed to stimulate his appetite, and despite all the unpleasant handling, he quickly slid near and gobbled the pinkie. I found that he is still not interested in thawed, warmed mice by themselves. But it works EVERY time when I cut a pinkie's neck area, rub the blood and all on the mouse's face and neck, and then I lay the pinkie on the mouse's neck with the mouse upside down. He now eats everything in short order! He is gaining weight and looking extremely healthy. He just loves the pinkie appetizer, and if it falls off during the eating, he gets it for dessert. My wife is glad about no more force feedings, though she finds the cutting and bloodying a little distasteful for her liking. But whatever it takes. Also, this is one technique that I did not see or hear anywhere else, but found it by accident. And I'm glad I did. Any thoughts???

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