Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey,
Ive been taking care of snakes for sometime now but a doubt still haunts me.
My snakes (cept the kingsnake, he doesnt care) have been recently wanting their prey to be put still, on the ground or where-ever in their enclosure, no wiggling with thongs or anything like that...and they calmly go to it and eat it, specially the case in my baby burmese. Anyways, this the case, i leave the prey there, they grab it, and then i come and wiggle it abit for them to constrict (a habit). My habits is being wearing out now and i just leave the snake swallow it with out any effort.
My question is...in all your personal opinions...can i leave the snake be when he catches the prey or will it do some mental harm to the snake if i dont let it at least constrict the prey when it grabs it? My personal opinion...i think theres nothing wrong with it, AND since i want all mines HANDable (for various reasons) my 2 cents were to not interfere with the food, would lower their aggresiveness a bit more...might sound stupid but hell, ill have experience but i wont know more than 50% of the snake world nor matter what XP hehe

Dont think i missed anything so there ya go, back to the question:

Can i leave the snake eat their food calmly when they grab it from the floor without the use of thongs? Or should i def wiggle it for some action?

Cheers,
Sheri

PS: temps in all snakes are suitable according to the species, they are active, defecate, bath in the heat, the water, climb branches, sleep in their caves, etc..the snake stuff.
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2.0.0 Cats (Garfield, Oddie)
2.2.0 RES (Bowser, Angela, Leo, April)
1.0.0 Varanus Albigularis (Godzilla)
1.0.0 Python Regius (Kaa)
0.0.2 Rhacodactylus ciliatus (Malk, Anep)
1.0.0 Lampropeltis getulus floridana (Tora)
1.0.0 Python Molurus Bivittatus (Outlaw)
1.0.0 Python Sebae Sebae (Chariot)
Sheriyar Bokhari

Until recently, I just placed the mouse into the container with my Cal king, and he ate it without a hitch. About two or three months ago I decided to move the prey so that I could watch him constrict. The only difference in behavior is that he is a little more aggressive when going after the mouse. I've had no problems handling him since I've started wiggling his food. He's still his normal, calm self. The only thing I might suggest is to watch your fingers.

I have 13 snakes of various species and only wiggle food for the picky eaters who need to see the movement to get interested. After that I leave them alone. I haven't seen any effect on health or temperament one way or the other. In fact, for convenience, I prefer not to have my snakes rely on my "tricks" to get them to eat.
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1.1.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Thayeri MSP
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Girlfriend, Caucasius Mexicana, Fiancee Phase

I believe that it is good for them to constrict their meals every now and then. If nothing else, it gives them a little exercise. We tend to over feed our captive herps, since they don't have to chase and kill their prey like their wild counterparts.

I also believe it helps them psychologically, but I would never be able to prove that...
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Diego