Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had read a post about washing pinkies with ivory soap, rinsing them thoroughly and trying that with non-feeders.
I still had two non-feeders left, one born in June and one in July. They had never eaten on their own. I have been force feeding them a pinkie head each week.
The post had mentioned Ivory soap but I didn't have ivory so I used dial. Basic dial bathroom soap.
I thawed the pinkies first and then washed them with the dial soap, rinsed them thoroughly and wraped them in a paper towel separate from all the other feeder mice.
I then placed these in brand new deli cups, added the snakes and placed them on a dark shelf and went to feed everyone else.
When I was finished with all the feedings I went back and checked on the two non-feeders........THEY ATE!!!!!
Try it!!!!
Maybe just getting the mousy urine and feces smell off of them did the trick.
I have deli cups numbered for all of my hatchlings making it easier keeping track of which goes in which container after they feed so I thought it might be a good idea to use new deli cups to elimintae the possibility of odor residue from previous feeding attempts.
Whatever the deal it worked!!!!! first try !!!!! whoo whoo !!!
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

I may have to try that with a gray banded king I got recently but I am happy to say that the bairdi twins I received from you are on hoppers, 2 at a time, lol! Little pigs they are!
Todd Hughes

SWEEEEEEEET!

>>SWEEEEEEEET!

definitely a new trick for an OLD DOG
I know what to do next year !!!!
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

>>>>SWEEEEEEEET!
>>
>>
>>
>>definitely a new trick for an OLD DOG
>>I know what to do next year !!!!
>>-----
>>Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
>>"Resistance is futile"
>>Jimmy Johnson
>>(Draybar)
>> Draybars Snakes
>>
>>_____

Actually an extremely old trick. I`m surprise it is not thought of more often.
-----
Like I said; I`m Gonna Getcha Good!

>>>>
>>>>_____
>>
>> Actually an extremely old trick. I`m surprise it is not thought of more often.
>>-----

You know I have heard people say clean the mice for non feeders over the years but never really thought much about it.
When there was the full discussion and people were responding with their results it sank in.
REMOVE the odors...LOL
pretty simple.
It is funny when you think about it because we spend so much time trying to add scent, anole, gecko, tuna fish...etc...etc...etc when the best course of action is probably just to remove the scents...lol

-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

>>>>>>
>>>>>>_____
>>>>
>>>> Actually an extremely old trick. I`m surprise it is not thought of more often.
>>>>-----
>>
>>
>>You know I have heard people say clean the mice for non feeders over the years but never really thought much about it.
>>When there was the full discussion and people were responding with their results it sank in.
>>REMOVE the odors...LOL
>>pretty simple.
>>It is funny when you think about it because we spend so much time trying to add scent, anole, gecko, tuna fish...etc...etc...etc when the best course of action is probably just to remove the scents...lol
>>
>>
>>-----
>>Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
>>"Resistance is futile"
>>Jimmy Johnson
>>(Draybar)
>> Draybars Snakes
>>
>>_____

Agreed especially with your point concerning the urine smell. Anyone who every bred mice or rats can describe just how strong that smell is. The snake who can smell with his tongue (as we all know) can precieve smells we human could never dream of smelling.
-----
Like I said; I`m Gonna Getcha Good!

I have always heard of washing the pinks and braining them (something i do frequently) but never just washing alone.

Thank for the tip!

I had a herpetology professor at a local university turn me onto this back in high school - almost 20 years ago now. He used biodegradable soap from camping supply stores, feeling it was a bit safer.

It's a good idea even if you're scenting as it removes other odors before new ones are applied.
-----
Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)