Reptile & Amphibian Forums

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love this snake. I got her, WC, October 16th. I tried FT pinks, tuna-, toad-, tree frog- and anole-scented, sometimes brained. No go. We went from feeding in a container to in her viv. I went from handling lightly to strictly non-handling. This was very difficult- she's so fun. Finally today I tried her on live fuzzy, toad-scented, for her first live attempt. I put the fuzzy in at about 2PM. Addy was not happy with this invasion of her viv and disappeared for a few hours. She came back out, and took a bath in her new larger bowl, then hung out, and the fuzzy escaped from the shallow lid it was in, but I just left everything alone. I just checked now, and fuzzy was gone!!! I have completely searched the viv- she ate it!! This was my fifth feeding attempt.

(Jennae- I tried your method first! What a fiasco!! All I can say is, if you can pull off that whole live frog/pink/forceps thing- you are way more coordinated and have a way less terrorized snake than I have!!!)

Nanci
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0.0.1 Normal Corn, 0.0.1 Cali King 0.1 Nelson's Milk
0.0.1 Eastern Hognose, 1.0 Eastern Box Turtle
0.0.2 Desert Torts, 2.0 Feral Pigeons

Congrats!! Glad it ate for you!

I don't use forceps with these guys. I find them incredably gentle and timid. I do it by hand. I use a specific routine, that is only done during feeding time. This way there is no confusion when it is not feeding time. I DO NOT recommend this for the novice beginner, but I know my snakes, and their individual personalities. I have aggressive feeders and timid. I have found that my WC Easterns tend to be very timid feeders. I had a male that got so spoiled, that he quit even attempting to come after the food. When he saw the food he would just open his mouth and wait for me to put it in...LOL. The only time I have ever seen them aggressive was when the females were gravid. No hand feeding then!! I really do it only when switching them over. It is another tool I use for them to see me as a non threat. I want them to associate me with food. That way they don't hide everytime I walk in the room (I also make sure to touch them everytime I open the cage so that they do not associate my hands with just food). My methods are a little "different", but I have never had any problems switching any of my easterns over. The most important factor is knowing the animal. Each individual is different. I have only had this girl since May 26, 06. She ate her first scented mouse on 6-27 (using my bait and switch method) and has been completely on unscented since July.

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Jenea

2:3:1 Tricolor Hognose (plus babies)
4:2 Eastern Hognose
1:2 Western Hognose
0:2 Southern Hognose
0:0:3 Florida Redbelly Snakes
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
1:2 Eastern Fence Lizards
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

You are so lucky!! I am just happy to have one meal down the hatch. Now I have pet anoles, a tree frog, and a toad. Which all had to be bought cages and food...The tree frog and anoles will go back to the wild when I am sure I no longer need them, but I will gladly keep Mr. Toad- he is such a character. Plus I am sure I will need him for scenting for a while.

Jenea, thank you for your help and encouragement. Just knowing you had such great success made it possible for me to keep trying.

Nanci
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*****
0.0.1 Normal Corn, 0.0.1 Cali King 0.1 Nelson's Milk
0.0.1 Eastern Hognose, 1.0 Eastern Box Turtle
0.0.2 Desert Torts, 2.0 Feral Pigeons

Don't feel like I did much, but glad I could help. I just think Easterns are worth the extra effort. They are GREAT animals that are not always given a fair chance. Please keep us updated on how it goes!
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Jenea

2:3:1 Tricolor Hognose (plus babies)
4:2 Eastern Hognose
1:2 Western Hognose
0:2 Southern Hognose
0:0:3 Florida Redbelly Snakes
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
1:2 Eastern Fence Lizards
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

Congratulations and good luck!!,Easterns rock! Jeff