Reptile & Amphibian Forums

do you have to move the prey around for you snake to eat it or do you just drop it in and check on it later on? also how long did you have to try before any success? thanks for all your posts.

one of mine will take it off the floor. The rest like to see it wiggle!
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"yeah, eagles have feathers hanging off of them too and I don't smoke --- out of them!" PS it was a dream catcher!

I think you have to find what each prefers. I have that likes it just outside his , two that take them from tongs. My biggest girl is funny she always takes four mice wach week First three she always takes off the tong and the forth she takes off floor. And it is always the same every friday night.
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1.0 Het for pied
0.1 Het for Pied
1.5 normal balls
1.1 bearded dragons
1.3 kids
1.0 husband
To many little critters list

Like everyone else has said, every snake is an individual, so don't get discouraged if your techniques don't work for your snake right away.

I prefer to feed my snakes in feeding bins - plastic tupperware totes with "locking" lids [I use a tall 19qt size for my littler snakes and a 50qt size for my bigger momma]... and there are plenty of people who will tell you that this is unnecessary or (as some argue) bad. I like the feeding bins because:
1) My snakes don't associate me reaching into their cage with the presentation of food.
2) When placed in their feeding bins, my snakes realize that food is on the way, and take a lot less encouragement to eat frozen/thawed rodents. Their feeding response is immediately noticeable when they are placed inside.

...And the reason I bring up my feeding bin method is in my second point there: it takes me a lot less effort to get my snakes to eat f/t!

I leave 1 food item in with a snake in the bin at one time.

If any of them are in a "shy mood" (for lack of a better term) I cover the bin with a towel or blanket and leave them undisturbed for about 20 minutes before checking on them. The trick has been to keep all other humans and dogs out of the room if possible, or at least somewhat calm and away from the feeding bin.

If I feed f/t (or pre-killed) from tongs, I have found it best to try to not move (as the natural shaking of my hand with my pulse is usually enough to get the animal's attention anyway) and just present the food item head-first towards the snake's head. I do this holding the food item about an inch off of the floor of the feeding bin. If the snake shows interest, then starts to back away, I slowly and very slightly back the food item away - usually this will get the snake interested a bit more, and has on many occasions been the move that actually gets the snake to eat.

I know I ramble a bit, but I hope this helps! Good luck!
~Rebecca
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0.1 Dumeril's Boa '04 (Courtney)
0.2 American Pit Bull Terriers (40lb darling lap dogs:Brandy&Mara)
1.2 Ball Pythons
[1.0 '05 Orange Hypo (Specter)]
[0.1 '05 Het Hypo (Sylvia)]
[0.1 '03 Normal (Sue)]

Hi! I would try feeding the live pray with tongs to get them comfortable with being fed with a utensil .After a couple of weeks then go to the p/k or f/t and that way you can see that they take the pray . Good luck David

I would add that if you go f/t it does make a difference if you warm the rodent. Like several others already said...individual snakes will behave differently. Some of mine will nail it as soon as it enters the tub and others will not touch it unless it's warm. You can do this a couple easy ways 1. put the rodent in something and set it on heat tape for few minutes 2. put the rodent in plastic bag and drop bag in hot water. Make sure you offer to snake as soon as it comes off heat.
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Dale....dgoins222@yahoo.com

My answer is both. Most of my babies come at the food as it is introduced into the cage, but no all. There is no one recipe.
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