Feeding Tips

[tigger79]

Well it appears that at least 10 -20% of the threads on here are from people asking for Help as there snakes are not eating.

Therefore i thought i would compile a list of methods out there that have been tried and tested by various keepers,

So to Start withthe first and most important thing to do is to Relax and stop worrying.

When your snake stops eating you need to take into account the following,

1. Is your Snake going into Shed
2. Has your snake been moved recently
3. Are your Temps correct
4. Is the Husbandry correct for you snake (size of viv, hides, greenary)
5. Is it winter time or breeding season
6. Is your snake showing any signs of illness/stress

So after asking yourself all of these questions, this is what you do,

1. Weigh you snake and monitor for any weight loss,
2. Change the time period that you offer
3. Reduce food size that is offered

Ok so now we have the basics covered, when offering there are a few things that you can do to intice your snake to take the food

1. Warm up the food (hair dryer, hot water, etc)
2. Brain the food (slit head)
3. Leave food in viv, cover up and leave for 24hrs without looking,
4. Place snake into a tub and take it for a 15- 20 minute drive
5. Scenting food (with other foods, suppliments)
6. Placing on a jacket (place skin of a chick over food)
7. Offer different food types (gerbils, rats, mutis, chicks etc)

There are many more and im sure people will post other methods on here,


Ok once all these methods have been tried, and you snake is still not eating then it may be time for a visit to the vets to give you snake the once over (this may only be necessary if it shows signs of illness or has stopped eating from one of the obvious reasons.

There are 3 other methods you can use to try to gety your snake to feed, but these are only to be done as last resorts and usually after being advised to from a vet.

1. Live food
2. Assist feeding
3. Force feeding

Of these methods live food would be the prefered and less stressful method,

As for the legallity of this method, this is how it stands,

Live feeding is Legal, but only as a last resort before assist/force feeding, But if frowned upon by AR and RSPCA,(these will try to prosecute you)

But you are at a bit of a dilema, as they will try to prosecute for 2 reasons,

1. cruelty to live rodent - when feeding live
2. cruelty to snake - if left to starve and die

therefore if you are going to feed live, you must do it in the privacy of you own home, without an audience and do not go advetising that you are doing it, Also DO NOT leave unattended, and onlt leave live food in fo 15 - 30 minute period, and remove sooner if you see the food attacking the snake

If this still does not work, then it may mean you have to assist/force feed you snake, but this MUST be at the last resort stage, once you snake hasnt been eating for over 6 - 12 months, and would be advisable to get some one who knows what they are doing to assist you, as it can be very daunting for you to do it, But i must warn you this will be very stressful for the snake as well.


Well as i said before, add any other methods you may know about, and i hope you find this information helpful.

[candoia aspera]

will you marry me pmsl.

seriously good point well made

[rantasam]

There's a sticky in the caresheets forum that covers a similar thing, but it often gets overlooked. Maybe you could incorporate the points it makes and then hopefully get yours stickied in the snake section, where more people will stumble across it.

Great advice by the way, although never heard of taking a snake for a drive.. What is the thinking behind that?

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/care-...s-how-get.html

[CaseyM]

*claps and cheers*

Now all we need is for people to remember to refer back to this thread.

[SiUK]

it needs to be stickied then everyone that asks just gets linked the thread they will soon learn

[Kylie]

about time yeah defo make it a sticky!!

[jamestom7]

i read that if you keep pet roddents to try and rub the defrosted food with some of the bedding to give it a fresh smell and you could also place some of the bedding inside the viv to excite the snake 10 or 15 minutes prior to feeding.

[HABU]

all kinds of tricks!!

[candoia aspera]

Originally Posted by rantasam

There's a sticky in the caresheets forum that covers a similar thing, but it often gets overlooked. Maybe you could incorporate the points it makes and then hopefully get yours stickied in the snake section, where more people will stumble across it.

Great advice by the way, although never heard of taking a snake for a drive.. What is the thinking behind that?

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/care-...s-how-get.html

appartently it can start up the digestive systems of snakes (starts the juices flowing so to speak to make 'em hungry). from what i've heard it's really effective on ball python. so the theory goes

Great thread and i have now made it a sticky for you