Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Early 03' 1.0

Early 03' 0.1

Late 03' 1.0

Late 03' 0.1

Late 03' 0.1

Nice animals, but what is the fascination with having them eat in your hand? It really doesn't make the pics more interesting IMHO.

I think the whole snake eating in his hands adds a certainly novelty to his pictures... It just wouldn't be the same without them. I'd be suspicious if he started posting anything else.

Feeding wouldn't be the same either! And then maybe my snakes would get shy and reclusive, what a BUMMER that would be.

To each thier own. I have known many people that own snakes because they think watching them eat is "cool". For me, the novelty of watching snakes eat wore off a long time ago. Not really a complaint about your shots, just a question about why.

I do have to disagree with your comment about your snakes becoming shy and reclusive if you don't hand feed them. I see no connection. Some of my more reluctant feeders are also some of my most active and easy to handle.

Peace, Greg

And too bad the novelty of watching your snakes eat wore off. Here is another pic just for the people that don't disapprove of feeding in hand.

03' thayer's, enjoy and peace also.

I don't think it's such a smart thing to feed so many snakes in your hand. I would think it only increases your chance of being bitten as the scent of the mice may get on your hand. But I think you may have told us that if it were the case. Either way, posting so many pictures of snakes feeding in your hands may just lead others/newbies to thinking they could do the same thing. And then they may wonder why they get bit. The fact that most of your pics are of snakes feeding in your hands kind of makes me feel like you're trying to show off. Never have I seen so many types of pics on this forum...or any other forums for that matter. I for one don't think I could sit and hold every one of my snakes while it fed in my hand. It simply would take too much time. It works for you though so I guess continue on. I just wouldn't recommend it to anyone else. And I think you displaying it so much on this forum is just a way off showing off like I said before.

What do you have to share besides criticism?

How about some Nerodia pics...

This is a Banded Water snake I found last weekend. I didn't try to feed it while it was in my hand...but it definitely bit the heck out of me. Nasty nerodia!!!

A close-up watersnake like that, that's way cool for a fish eater! gotta love n.american colubrids.

You should check out f i e l d h e r p e r s . c o m sometime. Myself and others post field pics all the time on there with lots of nerodia. The west coasters hate it!

I choose to vote with JETZEN.

* I like his pics

* I like his snakes

* There is nothing wrong with it

* And it does not reflect badly on the herp industry/or give wrong impressions

* If you don't like looking at his pics of his snakes eating while he is holding them, THEN DON'T LOOK

Kerby...

And I vote for your cali's LOL! best wishes for future projects.

I agree completely.

Jetzen, you keep doing what you do because that is what you enjoy so much. You have exceptional animals and you care very well for them, if you choose to develop that hand feeding bond with your snakes, keep doing it and feel free to continue sharing it with us all. I have done it in the past myself and it is a thrill to know your animal develops that trust. It is a little like helping them shed out when they are struggling, it is the good feeling you get.

I see nothing at all wrong with us enjoying our animals the way we choose as long as we are responsible, kind and caring. None of us are totally right and none of us are totally wrong in our methods. To each his own I say and if something we do is a bad message to someone and they make a mistake... live and learn! Do your homework and don't do something someone else does unless you feel comfortable with it. Most of what we learn over the years about kingsnake husbandry is through our own mistakes and experiences in handling. There is no textbook 100% correct method, we are still learning and have a great deal more to discover. Methods like Jentzens teach us that our individual variations in husbandry can work well for the individual. I suppose our personal success depends greatly upon how we as individuals put it all together.

Not agreeing or disagreeing but simply saying...

Jetzen, you have a fine colony of animals there, you truly enjoy them and you take great care of them. Keep doing what you enjoy doing and by all means keep sharing here, it is a part of what this forum is all about. I appreciate you being so devoted to your hobby and friends here in this forum.

the bad comment's and thanks for yours.

First of all, my opinion was never bad. I just asked the question "why?" and said that I personally didn't feel that it made the photos more interesting ( my opinion). Jetzen seemed a little over sensitive to the question, which he never answered. I then commented that he was free to do whatever made him happy, as we all are. It seems that I must have touched a sore spot, because of all of the defensiveness. If Jetzen likes to take photos of his snakes eating in his hand, great for him!

Relax people, have a drink! I just asked the simple question "why"

Greg

You're very welcome Jetzen.

lol... now look what you started here! lol... this little thing just blew way out of hand now didn't it! LOL!!! You should be ashamed of yourself for causing so much trouble here in this peaceful forum you bad bad bad BAD boy! lol

By the way, I do agree with your handling, proper close contact particularly when they are young makes for a much more settled animal overall. It is my experience that when breeders handle their babies often but briefly they are much more relaxed in general and become much better feeders right from the get go. Of course, there are always a few exceptions but generally this is what I see. If you ignore them and just toss them meat once in a while they do become somewhat shy and reclusive.

Keep on keepin' on my brother, and keep your buddies over there happy like you do!

Peace...

posted a 9 pic feeding series, I can't help it I am possesed by my snakes lol!. ANYWAY, the clear bins are mouse lab cages that i buy factory direct, the only way to go if you raise stinky snake food.

I saw that after my last reply and really enjoyed that series... you are a snake keeper GONE WILD!!! And what do you mean that girl isn't a screamer? She is an awesome green leonis in my opinion! But then, I do heavily favor thayeri as out of my 39 mexicana kings here 27 of them are thayeri. I am WAY out of control! Feed your other 3 thayer's... I wanna see 'em!

YOU are as obsessed as me.lol! only two of my 2.2 thayer's eat in my hand but i'll get the the pics up of all four chowin down or not. Maybe i think that girl aint a screamer because she wern't a $200 snake, ANYWAY she's mellow and i love that. And ya never know what even a plain Jane could produce. Let's see some of your pics.

i feel the same way.....and if the snake doesn't mind why would i? i would think that kind of conditioning must certainly help make a snake more calm or 'friendly' which ain't exactly a bad thing!........

Ok, then count me in!(When I get my new cam I'll be a show off too!!!)
C'mon now - one reason the forum exists is because we are all here to learn and SHARE knowledge. Another is to "show off" our animals in any way WE like as long as it is in good taste. THERE IS nothing wrong with that! The more "show-offs" we have here on the forum, the more the rest of us will benefit from learning and seeing the awesome diversity that exists in these beautiful snakes - After all no two snakes are ever exactly alike! So I'm glad we have folks out here like (Brad)JETZEN, KEITH, PETER, THOMAS, WILL, SASHEENA, KERBY, MYSELF, etc. that like to show us pics of their animals and offspring. I for one REALLY enjoy seeing the pics! I actually benefit from this, because sometimes I'll see something I really like that I didn't know was out there (and now I want it LOL)!

For the sensitive: A pic of a snake eating is the same as a snake sleeping - It is NATURAL! If you can't look at some certain pics of snakes eating, do like KERBY says don't look OR: Maybe keeping snakes isn't for you - GO GET an HERBIVORE, LOL!. What if you accidentally saw your pet snake eat? LOL!!! Would you get sick???

MY 1.5 cents! By the way, GREAT PICS brad (JETZEN) and thanks for sharing!

Zee

and i'd like to see BIG JOHN strangling a rat (ft of course)

I will have my new digicam by then! A 10x power one, so close-ups will be possible! BOO WAA HAA HAA HAA HAA!!!

BTW: How's you're new arrivals doing?

ZEE

COOL! monster digi-cam for a monster kingsnake. And all my 04' arrivals are doing great, go to the top of the page and check it out.

Awesome Kerby. Thanks for sharing your opinion. Did I ever say I didn't like looking at Jetzen's pics? No. In fact I think he has some great snakes and pics. Just asked why they all included hand feeding. Is this a bad question to ask?

Sounds like you are " a little sensitive"... LOL

Sounds like you have " a sore spot, because of all of the defensiveness"... LOL

I've got an idea Greg, RELAX, HAVE A DRINK LOL

Get a clue bro.

Kerby...

go to the top of the page makisfree.(you asked for it)LOL.

If it's the MBK pics you're talking about, I checked 'em out earlier... and enjoyed your pics as always! I must say the first couple pics shocked me, not only because that Mexican Black is incredible but no chomp chomp!?? Then... WHAM!!! CHOW TIME BABY!!!

Thanks for the pics...

Hey, where did you get those nice clear bins???

I just got your e-mail, so let's just drop it. I apologize if I said anything out-of-line. Sorry.

I'll buy you a cup of coffee next time we meet (since I don't drink alcohol).

Kerby...

Early 03' 1.0

Nice collection of Florida kings Jetzen. IF your not getting tagged that's pretty darn good. My OuterBanks King has such an insane feeding response, I'll have to pass on trying the hand feeding method.

Steve

I seldom get tagged, it does happen though. How about a pic of your obx. thanks in advance