Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello Everyone!

I was wondering if anyone has ever had a snappy dumeril?

My dum is probably around 18 months old. He's sweet as can be EXCEPT after I feed him. I don't feed in his cage, I use a plastic storage bin. Lately, every time I go to take him out (after he's eaten and been given at least 15-20 minutes for his dinner to settle) he tries to bite.

He's not exactly big so I shouldn't be such a wuss about picking him up after he's eaten but it's certainly frustrating! I had this problem with a corn snake once and just used a towel or something so he would figure out it wasn't time for seconds. That worked great and he's fine. I've tried the same method with the Dum and he snaps at/bites the towel!

Is this a sign he's still hungry? I tried to feed him a second mouse once and he actually BOLTED out of his feeding bin! Any ideas? This is one time I wish "No" and "Bad Snake" were effective.

sounds like he's still got food on his mind.
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Pat Higdon
Oklahoma City Herpetological Society Member
4 dumerils boas, 2 albino burmese pythons, 1 ij carpet python, 4 bearded dragons, 15 leopard geckos, 2 tokay geckos & 2 sulcata tortoise

18 months old and you're feeding it one mouse?

Yeah, its probably still hungry. My female Dumeril's is about a year old and can very easily take a weaned to small rat. Rats have a lot more nutritional value than mice do, and are going to be more satisfying to your snake.

I wouldn't be surprised if it took 3 adult mice to take it out of feeding mode.

I know I should switch to rats. I just have a major problem getting smallish ones where I live. When I first got my Dum, I tried feeding pre-killed but he wouldn't eat it. I've been feeding live ever since.

Anyone have any tips on switching Dums from live to F/T?

I'm okay with feeding live mice but once he gets big enough for rats I'm going to want to switch him. I don't like rodents nibbling on my snake even if it is the three seconds before they're squeezed to death.

Thank you to all who replied! I took your advice and gave him 2 fat mice. He actually ate the second instead of running from it (like the last time I tried giving him desert).