Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well after 9 weeks since hatching I figured it was time my first Pewter ever got a meal in her. I think more people have this problem this time of the year so I thought I show you how I do it. I take a tail of a medium mouse and put the tip of the tail in the mouth. I pri the mouth open with a probe. I push the tail a bit into the throath. Then I gently close the mouth and pull the tail so it gets stuck on the teeth.

Then I carefully place back the snake into it's box.

And yes, it starts to swallow..

Job well done

So, how do you guys do it?
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Marcel Poots (Holland)
'Where is your crown King Nothing?' James Hettfield

Thats some good information. I have never needed before but if I ever do I now no how. Have you used this techique before and how many times do you have to do this before they start eating on their
own. Also pics are really good.
Thanks

>>Thats some good information. I have never needed before but if I ever do I now no how. Have you used this techique before and how many times do you have to do this before they start eating on their
>>own. Also pics are really good.
>>Thanks

I wait one week after force feeding and leave a thawed mouse overnight. Usually it takes one or two feedings before they start feeding on their own. Some take moths however.
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Marcel Poots (Holland)
'Where is your crown King Nothing?' James Hettfield

Great photos Marcel! I do the same thing with my stubborn hatchlings, but I put the tail in the other way around (fat end first -- make sure there are no bones poking out). I have found it is much easier to push the tail partway down the snake's throat if the hairs on the mouse tail are heading the right way. Seems like the prickly tail hairs cause some friction going down the other way. I also dip the tail in water for a little lubrication.

Thanks again for the great photos!

Ronda
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Ronda Van Winkle
Northwest Herpetoculture

I insert the cut end of the tail in the snake’s mouth first so the hairs lay down properly as it is swallowed. And since that end is stiffer and can be cut in a chisel shape, I don’t need to use a probe to open the mouths of small snakes like corn hatchlings. I just roll the lower jaw down a bit with my thumb, then gently push the “chisel end” in the small opening and into the back of the snake’s mouth.

Rodent tails are great as a stopgap feeding measure! That long, round shape defeats all but the most stubborn snakes.

Thanks for those photos, Marcel. And just as a point of semantics, I call that “assist” feeding, since the snake takes over and swallows it on its own. "Force" feeding is when I have to manipulate the food item back into the snake’s throat, and sometimes massage it all the way to its stomach to keep it from bringing it back up.

-Joan

I can remember you using chick legs also.I always thought those were great pics.Nice looking pewter Marcel.

>>I can remember you using chick legs also.I always thought those were great pics.Nice looking pewter Marcel.

I use tails and chick legs.. But this Pewter has showed 0% interrest in chick scented pinks of even chick wings so I figured to go straight for mouse tails.
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Marcel Poots (Holland)
'Where is your crown King Nothing?' James Hettfield

TURN that tail around.........

?

cut it at an angle...and stick the fatter end in first....the hair keeps it in.....it's backwards in the pic....and VERY irritating to eat that way......

if you don't believe me....lick a girls leg after 2 weeks stubbles grow back.....

or.......

something like that............

good luck.......

my runt male pewter ate good...normal sized female didn't...then took peromyscus right away........

now I got a second batch little one....(and 4 bloods....)...one with a white head.....

and yes...I still never got time to take any pics at all......

soon....soon.vacation in another week....I promise...after Hamburg show is over...LOL
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