1. There is no length of time really, every snake is different. If you have to force the mouse, don't push any further. Letting the animal "rest" so to speak is not smart either. Force feeding is a very stressful thing for the animal, get it done as quick as possible and leave the animals alone.

2. You really don't get the snakes to relax, the trick is to keep their body straight. They don't want you to force a mouse down their throat. If you can it's best to keep the mouse going down little by little without stopping.

3. Feed smaller then normal food items, they always go down easier. Dip them in water so they have something on them that can act like a lubricant. If your assist feeding you should only need to put the head of the prey item into it's mouth, any further then that and your really force feeding. Maybe try braining a mouse, some may assist feed or even take them on their own that way.

4. Be careful you can really hurt the animals force feeding!
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John Light

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