Feeding Tips

[draziwekans]

My royal generally eats every week although does now seem to fast through winter, which as you all know can be more of a worry to us than to them. I think the natural drop in temperature encourages this natural behaviour. He has eaten a couple of times, the last successful feed was 21st January and I'd obviously like him to eat again now. Consistently sized rats have been a problem, although he has been happy to take 2 smaller rats when feeding normally. One medium rat appeared rather large for him although the girth was on par with his body size and he did manage it, and it probably prepared him well for his fast.

He is usually out for a bit of exercise prior to feeding and then returns to the viv, has a nose about and may take the food during the night (not a strike feeder, -I am guessing waving the food about will be more an annoyance now, but may try if the fast continues). I guesse the car ride is on par with his routine, but I may give it a go. He is still healthy, although has lost a bit of weight. We do have 'pet' rats which he's never expressed an interest in when he's out, although I may consider using some of their bedding.

I refer to my Royal as ‘he’ more often than not, although ‘he’ has never been sexed, so this may be incorrect.

[?A?I?D?Y?]

Great Feeding tips

[andur]

another way with royals, put snake in pillow case or similar,add fresh killed or defrost prey, seal end of bag or whatever put back in viv (not near heat lamp!) leave overnight

[Pieluvspooh]

I bought a baby Royal about five weeks ago. He had never eaten or (according to the advert) shed, he still hasn't done either! I pretty sure all the temps etc with the tank are ok as have checked, checked and triple checked everything! I don't handle him very often and have actually stopped as thought he was showing signs of going into shed! I'm a bit concerned now though that he is losing weight... although he seems to be getting longer! Can anyone suggest stuff that I can try... tried braining, leaving the prey in a tub with him over night, feeding outside the tank all to no avail! He did strike once but dropped the mouse, I think due to my boyfriend's overly loud 'oooh let me see'. I really don't want to have to assist feed him or give him a live mouse, so please help if anyone can!

Thanks in advance, Claire

[tigger79]

a five week old royal may not be hungry as it could of had a large yolk sac,

what setup do u have it in, and what are the temps.

the advice i would offer is to leave snake alone for a week then offer a warmed up rat pink, and leave alone overnight.

[fatratsandcheesekk]

this was so helpfull now i have some ideas for when checkers doesnt want to eat

[Magners]

Looks like I'm lucky then, my little royal has missed 2 feeds in the whole time I've had him, one because he was shedding and the other because, well he couldn't be bothered, he's going to be 2 years old on Friday, yeah he hatched on 06.06.06 Which may explain why he's got such an evil temper but still...

[Dali]

when should I start feeding my corn snake fuzzies instead of pinkies?

[drewalan]

hi once again, my patients is running out and im very frustrated!!! my male royal still hasnt eaten since nov 2007, now its mid june? is this still normal (help)
also my 2 yr old female royal hasnr eaten since i bought her 3 month ogo shes about 2 yrs old, ive tryed every trick in the book and tripple checked everything, my male shows slight intrest in food but then leaves it and my female snaps at the food but thats it just leaves it, help help, please advise, some one tell me this is ok

thanks

[tigger79]

some of my males are still fasting, so i wud say its normal

monitor there weights and offer every 2-3 weeks to make sure they have time in between to relax, also only go into vivs to change water evry 3-4 days and clean out if need be, the other thing you can do is to offer smaller food items.