Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a pair of 2010 Louisana Pines. Since I've had them they are very shy and feeding them is such a choir. This last feeding I put the f/t food item by their hide hole shut the lights and left them alone and within the hour the food was gone. I am looking for ideas of other I can feed shy feeders.
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1.2 Black Pines
.1 Albino Northen Pine
1.1 Northern Pines
1. Hypo Bull
1.1 D. Deppei

Honestly, if that is what they are wanting for their feeding conditions, I would stick with that, and not try to change anything. They are needing to eat with a level of comfort that they desire. If it takes that to get them to eat consistently, then it may be the best thing, no matter how annoying it can be, especially if you want to feed others right as you are feeding those. Trust me, I feel your pain! haha!

One of my northern pines used to refuse to eat while I was in the room. I tried everything but to no avail, but to only have her eat consistently when I left the snake room immediately after giving her the food item. She now has grown out of that phase.

One good idea worth trying, that I have had work for me, is if you are needing to be in the snake room as you are feeding your LA pines, cover the fronts of their cages with long sections of newspaper, to make it appear completely dark once you have placed the food item in their cage. That may give them the feeling of privacy they desire, while you can still work about in the room.
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Genesis 1:1

Thanks for the replies. I'm hoping they will continue to feed with this method. I like to feed every 7 to 10 days and they definitely weren't on that schedule. What really drove me nuts is the male would kill the food item and not eat it.
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1.2 Black Pines
.1 Albino Northen Pine
1.1 Northern Pines
1. Hypo Bull
1.1 D. Deppei

I have several kings that are shy- its just their nature- so I put them in deli cups, and wrap them up in snake cloth bags, and leave them alone for an hour or 2- my female speckled needs 3 hours... shes a slow eater- so I just feed her when I plan to be gone on erands for a bit. My LA pines need to be left alone as well- in fact most of my snakes do-- its not you its them- and just that if I want to make sure they eat - I leave them alone as a mater of course. I also put my yearling LAs- which are 3' now in larger containters and feed them individually- they eat 3 mice a feeding- and they chow down and are done in less than 45 min. By my handling them to put them in the feeding containers- it has helped them get used to my scent and being handled some what and they are calmer now then they used to be.
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BULLS: Pr normal (KS&TX), 1 Pr Northern (M Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada & F Minn), Pr Kankakee Co, Ill, CORNS: Pr Okeetee, SC, FOXES: Pr Western, KINGS: Pr Black Eastern (L.g.nigra) Todd Co. KY, Pr. NC Eastern Chains (M from Union Co. & F from Mecklenburg Co.), Pr."Goini", Franklin Co. Fla, Pr. Costal Banded Cal (M Hypo & F normal) Pr Speckled, Harris Co. TX, PINES: Pr Louisiana (pure descendants of Terry Vandeventer stock), Pr Southern (F light phase & M- Aiken, SC), PYTHONS: Pr normal Ball, RATS: Pr Black, Henderson Co. NC, Pr Black (M White Side & F Leucistic), Western Green, F (Mt. Hopkins, Cochise Co. AZ), OTHERS: 10 Tarantulas, 150 Orchid plants, 40 assorted tropical plants and violets, 3 Freshwater Planted Aquariums with West African Dwarf Cichlids and 2 condo-porch gardens with Bonsai, Roses and etc...

By my handling them to put them in the feeding containers- it has helped them get used to my scent and being handled some what and they are calmer now then they used to be.

That is one reason why I feed in separate containers. Not a lot of handling to stress them just get them used to my prescence, scent and realizing I'm not going to hurt them. Slowly builds confidence between keeper and kept.

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BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
1.2 P. m. melanoleucus B/W N. J. Northern Pines
1.2 P. d. deppei Mexican Pines
2.2 P. l. lineaticollis Linis or Lined Pines
1.2 P. m. lodingi Black Pines
0.3 P. c. sayi Kingsville X Stillwater red bulls
1.1 Drymarchon melenurus Blacktail Cribo
1.2 D. corais Yellowtail Cribos
1.2 M. s. cheynei Jungle Carpet
2.6 L. p. pyromelana Arizona Mt. Kings
1.1 L. g. californiae B/W Cali kings
0.0.3 M. f. flagellum Eastern Coachwhips
1.2 G. m. bottegoi Western Plated lizards

I would have to agree with the above post, go with what works.

I pull my snakes and feed in tubs/shoeboxes. My northerns and deppei will start eating before I can get the lids on. My linis and blacks need privacy. Once I put them in with the food I will take the tubs and bury them in the aspen bedding in their cages so they can have complete privacy. Some I have to leave overnight for them to eat.

Young snakes don't have the confidence of adults and feeding time is when they are at their most vulnerable and defenseless. Most likely as they get some size they will get some confidence and feed easier.

LA pines are sweet and I would love to get some pure stock ones to add to my collection.

Pits rule.
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BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
1.2 P. m. melanoleucus B/W N. J. Northern Pines
1.2 P. d. deppei Mexican Pines
2.2 P. l. lineaticollis Linis or Lined Pines
1.2 P. m. lodingi Black Pines
0.3 P. c. sayi Kingsville X Stillwater red bulls
1.1 Drymarchon melenurus Blacktail Cribo
1.2 D. corais Yellowtail Cribos
1.2 M. s. cheynei Jungle Carpet
2.6 L. p. pyromelana Arizona Mt. Kings
1.1 L. g. californiae B/W Cali kings
0.0.3 M. f. flagellum Eastern Coachwhips
1.2 G. m. bottegoi Western Plated lizards