Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey John a while back you had a post on feeding methods for problematic feeders...

I thought i saved the post, unfortunately i didn't and i was wondering whether you did save it???

OR

if any of the other Forum members saved the tips posted????

Thanx

~ZF

I didn't save it...I got it upstairs though....LOL
To keep me from typing it all again I can find it in the Mexicana subforum.....
Maybe I should edit it so Rainer doesn't pick on me again....LOL
John Lassiter

Every year I have a few stubborn feeders that I have to get feeding on mice. Here is a summary of what I do.

Step 1: Offer live newborn pinkie. If it is refused then....

Step 2: Offer brained, live pinkie (YES brained and live) Or do as Rainer stated once. Brain a thawed pink and smear the brain matter on the live pinks nose. The brained pinkie is cut from snout to base of skull. If it is taken, reduce the incision each time until it is no longer necessary to stimulate feeding. If it is refused then....

Step 3: Offer the brained, live pinkie under a dark, nontranslucent bowl with the stubborn feeder. Cover the snake and the prey and check in about 30 minutes or so. This has been the most effective method w/o scenting involved. If the snake refuses then...

Step 4: A lizard has to be obtained. I use Med. House Geckos. Freeze the lizard in a deep freeze right away for about 1 hour. Get a live newborn pinky and put the frozen lizard and the live pink in a container together and remove from freezer. The warmth of the pinkie will absorb the scent. Place it under a dark bowl with the snake and check in about 30 minutes or so. If the snake refuses then....

Step 5: Thaw out the lizard and cut its abdomen open. Dip the head of the pinkie into the guts of the lizard. Place some skin from the lizard on the pinky's head and place under the dark bowl with the snake. If this fails then....

Step 6: Most people would go ahead and repeat all the steps above for about 6 to 8 weeks until they get results. If the stubborn feeder does not feed then drop its temps to around 55 or 60 degrees for about 6 to 8 weeks. After removal from the temps repeat all the steps above.
Other people would feed then small lizards or lizard parts. I have had luck feeding them about 4 to 5 lizard meals then scenting pinks with such lizards. I have also had luck hibernating and then feeding. Remember if you start forcefeeding you will have to continue to do so to keep weight on the snake. It also stresses the snake out and it is harder to get them to start feeding on their own. Also, forcefeeding will kick in their metabolism and they will need to keep eating to keep on weight. They can live for months on the eggyolk absorbed in the egg. Just letting them wait on a winter cooling usually helps alot for spring feeding. I hear of people forcefeeding mouse tails successfully, but I have never even attempted it. The only force feeding I have done has had a low percentage of success. I have blended pinkies and used pinky pumps. I have even used Veal Gerbers baby food mixed with Pedialyte and Multivitamins successfully, but again it stressed the snake.
This is my abridged version but it should help you out. If you have any problems getting any thing eating drop me an email and I would be glad to help you out. Snakes are individual and each need a little something to get them convinced to eat pinkies and frozen thawed too...

Hope this helps,
John Lassiter

Thanx for the info... hopefully i wont need to use it... but i wanna keep it handy (just in case)

Thanx again

~ZF

I used to work with alterna hatchlings, unfortunately I did not have any this year and they were the hardest of all to get feeding, but never all of them....Just some.
Now I work with lots of Thayeri and some are harder than others but I very seldom lose one to starvation.
Even some hatchling common kings are stubborn to get feeding, but they usually all come around.....

What I am trying to say is.....The mexicana complex is not the only subspecies of kingsnakes (or snakes for that matter) that are difficult to get feeding. I think some hatchlings (of any kind of snake) are more stubborn than others.
Just work with them and they will eventually come around.....

And you are welcome ZF...
John Lassiter