Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My guys been a trouble feeder for the past three months so I was getting desperate to get some weight back on him. Trust me I've tried all the little tricks (braining and such). Well today I picked up two live pinkies (I know it a no no..), but he was on them like flint. My little guy got himself into that paper bag in seconds and was checking things out. I've never seen him so eager about a meal since I first got him. He constricted the first and chowed down. He had barrely got that one down and he was attacking the second one. I felt bad about the whole live thing but it felt good to see the little guy chow down. I figure I'll wean him back to f/t after another feeding or mix in a f/t with a live one, but getting a meal down was priority today. Another thing I noticed is that he's quite alert even a hour after feeding. He'd probely try to eat another if I gave it to him.

Jeff Robertson

Yah, live food is frowned upon for the most part, but if you have to feed live or else it will starve, do what you have to do.

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alstiver@hotmail.com

1.0 '01 hypo snow
0.1 '02 ghost (pastel)
1.1 '02 bloodred

Hi Jeff,

Glad to hear your snake is finally eating again. Regarding feeding live, it's only a "no-no" if the mouse is capable of injuring the snake. Pinkies and fuzzies aren't going to inflict a defensive bite, so no worries. Many people recommend feeding dead mice right from the beginning, so your snake never knows what its missing. However, if your snake simply isn't going to eat otherwise, throw in the live pinkies! You can worry about switching to dead mice after the snake has put a little weight back on.
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Ronda Van Winkle
Northwest Herpetoculture

In the wild, a snake would come across a mouse nest, and eat his fill right?? So I was wondering if you are feeding, should you offer the snake as much as he wants to eat till he is full?? maybe 3-4??

I realize that feeding like that would probably mean spacing the feedings out a few days further...

>>My guys been a trouble feeder for the past three months so I was getting desperate to get some weight back on him. Trust me I've tried all the little tricks (braining and such). Well today I picked up two live pinkies (I know it a no no..), but he was on them like flint. My little guy got himself into that paper bag in seconds and was checking things out. I've never seen him so eager about a meal since I first got him. He constricted the first and chowed down. He had barrely got that one down and he was attacking the second one. I felt bad about the whole live thing but it felt good to see the little guy chow down. I figure I'll wean him back to f/t after another feeding or mix in a f/t with a live one, but getting a meal down was priority today. Another thing I noticed is that he's quite alert even a hour after feeding. He'd probely try to eat another if I gave it to him.
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>>Jeff Robertson

Your problem eater dicided to eat again.. great news! That's what it's all about.
Why is it a no no to feed them live pinkies? Unless you just don't like to see the poor little things die. A live pinkie sure isn't going to hurt a snake.
I wouldn't worry about feeding him live until he is feeding regularily again. Then you can switch him over to frozen.
Since he hasn't eaten in a while he would probably eat several more, if you gave them to him, but I wouldn't over do it.
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Jimmy (draybar)

I feel so much better knowing my little guy has a full belly. I was under the impression that feeding live was bad, but then again I'm still a newbie to this whole thing.

Thanks
Jeff Robertson