Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have an '06 baby African House snake that is a very stubborn feeder. I have gotten it to feed twice, by tease feeding. It has since stopped responding to that. It has eaten a f/t house gecko head, and a f/t pinky head. I have tried to semi-force feed it, but it backs off of the the mouse every time.

Any tips/suggestions on how to get this little monster feeding? I have been able to get neonate Candoia feeding easier than this thing! Its very, very frustrating. Any hints would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Jay

Yea, try keeping a lizard or better yet perhaps a skink frozen and heat the skink in warm water and rub it on a live or dead pink and the scent should spur some feeding interest in the house snake.

Dan

I purchased a trio of house this year and they were reluctant to feed.........I knew they were feeding due to size.......all it took was cutting the brain or nose on the pinks.....they slammed them up........
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................................................it's a buyer's market......
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>> Any tips/suggestions on how to get this little monster feeding? I have been able to get neonate Candoia feeding easier than this thing! Its very, very frustrating. Any hints would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Relax, I've had so many house snakes that seem to only like to eat once a month that I just grew to accept it.

But some stuff you can try:
1) washing and drying the pinky to remove the scent
2) using a dwarf hamster pinky
3) braining a pinky
4) dipping the pinky in tuna water prior to feeding
5) leaving the pinky overnight. Some house snakes are shy eaters.
6) if all else fails, call Chris Harrison and tell him that you would like to refute his argument that house snakes will eat anything. ^_^

So far the little house snake has eaten house gecko heads (f/t). I usually have to pry its mouth open with the gecko, then insert it a bit, and let the snake go from there. I will try some brained pinks, maybe tuna scent, etc. I'm unfamiliar with Chris Harrison or his claims, but this snake is a problematic feeder. I have gotten newborn Candoia carinata paulsoni, Tropidophis sp. and many ssp. of insular Epicrates to feed without forcefeeding, and onto pinks with less difficulty. There's always an exception to every rule. I'm just happy this house snake is eating something! Thanks guys.

Jay