Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok I've had brooksi since the summer of 2008 and as they've gotten older Im starting to notice this year the hotter it gets around feeding time it seems the more ornery they are getting, does the heat effect their aggresion an d hunger?

And some day I hope to figure out how to post pics from the cell to show off my brooksi

Heat will speed up their metabolism. Thus their feeding agression goes thru the roof. Feed them full of mice or chicks until they can't eat and they will settle down.
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www.Bluerosy.com

Thanks rainer, I figured as much when I got bit by my flame hypo that is normally very tame about 3 weeks ago when I was a day late in feeding.

Also make sure you don't have any rodent smell on you. Maybe even wash your hand with soap before handling so they recognize that same smell on you and recognize you better. Also we often condition snakes to trigger feeding responses. As they get older we tend to handle them less frequent and we get them into an expectation of "Cage opens> food comes next". I feed all my snakes in paper bags which reduces the the mistakes, lol. They associate the bag with food and not my hand. Not saying you do these things, just giving some ideas.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

HaaaaHaaa, gotta laff,,,,,,,Not pointing at you ! , but feed agression is like a movie ,Open drawer and snake over flowing and looking for toes after they hit the ground

Warning! Don't wear sandals, lol.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

I got chomped by my high white cali 2 days ago. Forgot to use hand sanitizer after handling my bull snake....... he was sure he was in for a feed! LOL.

>>I feed all my snakes in paper bags which reduces the the mistakes, lol. They associate the bag with food and not my hand.

You will soon throw away the paper bags after you have 50 plus snakes.......2 to 3 times a week and paper bags is too much work.....LOL
I lay newspaper on top of the deep aspen and feed on top of that....Plus it provides a top to bottom dimension for thermal regulation.......
I have open deli cups in the small snake enclosures.....I place meals in there for them.....

Plus....
I kinda like to see a snake rush to the opening wanting to feed....My MBKs do it and it is hilarious.....
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...
www.coastalbendcaptivebreeding.com

I have about 100 snakes give or take a few, and will probably double when eggs hacth. But they are not as well mannered as yours, lol. They take the food and drag it onto the chips and get it full of substrate. I learned this trick from Strictly Reptiles many years ago and they had thousands of snakes. The bags are easy for me. Put the snake and rodent in bag, roll it up, put back in cage, come back later or tommorrow and check on them. Throw away any soiled bags. I like this method.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

>>I have about 100 snakes give or take a few, and will probably double when eggs hacth. But they are not as well mannered as yours, lol. They take the food and drag it onto the chips and get it full of substrate. I learned this trick from Strictly Reptiles many years ago and they had thousands of snakes. The bags are easy for me. Put the snake and rodent in bag, roll it up, put back in cage, come back later or tommorrow and check on them. Throw away any soiled bags. I like this method.

LOL....
I have used this "trick" with stubborn hatchlings for years.....
I guess my snakes are more well mannered....LOL

If we all went back to newspaper and no aspen we would never have a problem, eh?
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...
www.coastalbendcaptivebreeding.com

I know that would be too time consuming for me. I will go to newspaper in breeding cages from now on. I peeked in on one of my Okeetees while they were mating and the male had chips all over his dip! If you get my drift? I never saw this before though it's common sense that it must happen, right? It was a bit disturbing, lol. Don't want to take any chances.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra