My little sonoran gopher had her first feed from me last week and is due her second tomorrow. Her first feed was great, she was out looking for food two days before she was due to be fed. She even let me touch her today! Anyway, I am a little concerned that I can't find any snake poo, is this normal? I also noticed that after I fed her 1 small mouse (all caught on vid) that she was hanging around for a second one. Shall I give her 2 small mice tomorrow? She's nearly 7 months old and about 3ft long.

Thanks all

Jay

If she's 3 foot I'd definately be feeding her on more than one small mouse per feed! I've got a baby bullsnake just over a foot long and he usually eats 2-3 small mice each week, though managed an adult one this week! If you're feeding her once a week I'd probably give her larger food than small mice, say a couple of mediums or a large one and see how she does- you'll be surprised what she can manage, and she is a growing girl after all! Some snakes just know when they've had the right amount to eat and others will over eat- with practice and a little experimentation you'll get to know how sensible she is! As for the poo- I wouldn't worry too much for now, sometimes they don't always pass through before the next feed. If you get worried, a bath in luke warm water will stimulate her bowel movement.

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My Pets2.0 carpet python0.2 boa constrictor (5.5 ft pastel, 10ft v tame, poss FOR SALE) 1.0 san fransisco garter0.1 albino chequered garter0.1 red striped ribbon snake1.0 albino bullsnake1.0 golden tegu (FOR SALE) 0.1 leopard gecko1.1 bibrons gecko1.0 house gecko1.0 4-spot gecko1.0 grey tree frog1.1 giant millipedes1.1 giant madagascan hissing cockroaches1.1 dwarf madagascan hissers1.0 giant spiney stick insectloads of fancy mice (£2.50 each ask about colours!) 1.1 hairless mice1.2 rat (Youngsters for sale- ask about colours and coat types, hairless available upon request!) 0.2 acacia rats1.1 ferretstropical fish tank (complete w/ dwarf congo frogs!) usambara baboon spiderhonduran curly hair spider[option]

Thanks for the advice snakecharmer, I will try her on two mice tomorrow and see what happens! As for the poo thing, I think I will wait a few more days before I think about warm bathing. I think it's really funny that I would find it less stressful to put my head in the mouth of a foaming pit bull that had been kicked in the balls than to handle this tiny reptile, it's all new to me and just a little scary. I'm sure I'll get over it.

my corn is only 4 monthes old and she is on 2 pinkies a week! id try yours on 1 every 3 days!

Thanks richard, i'll see how she gets on with the two today and see what happens!

Please do not feed every 3 days, snakes have a slower metabolism than mammals and so take a longer time to digest food. As a general rule, after they are fed, leave them for 24 to 48 hours before handling them to allow them to digest food. If you are feeding every 3 days, it is not allowing their digestive system to recover and they will not be able to work off their last meal. This can be unhealthy for your snake.

To work out how much to feed them, the item should be no bigger than 1.5 times their girth. You should notice a food lump in their body after feeding which should go after a day or two.

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Thanks Ashley, good bit of info I never knew!

I just gave her 2 small mice and she woofed them down and then almost climbed out of the viv looking for another. I think for now I will play it safe and stick with 2 small mice for now. I'm still waiting for some snake poo though!

Hi Jayjay, glad the extra dinner was a hit! Don't worry about worrying when handling her- gophers, like bull and pine snakes have really exciting defense behaviour that can be intimidating, even when they are tiny babies! My newest young bull often vibrates his tail when I take the lid of his tank to get him out. You may have also experienced loud hissing and rearing up or strike posturing from your littleun? I don't tend to take much notice of this- most of the time they are just bluffing- once you've picked her up you'll find that after about a minute she'll settle in your hands. They are certainly an exciting and charismatic species (as well as being typically enthusiastic feeders and fast growers) to keep so congrats on your choice, welcome to the club and good luck with her!! Any Qs always feel free to PM me!

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My Pets2.0 carpet python0.2 boa constrictor (5.5 ft pastel, 10ft v tame, poss FOR SALE) 1.0 san fransisco garter0.1 albino chequered garter0.1 red striped ribbon snake1.0 albino bullsnake1.0 golden tegu (FOR SALE) 0.1 leopard gecko1.1 bibrons gecko1.0 house gecko1.0 4-spot gecko1.0 grey tree frog1.1 giant millipedes1.1 giant madagascan hissing cockroaches1.1 dwarf madagascan hissers1.0 giant spiney stick insectloads of fancy mice (£2.50 each ask about colours!) 1.1 hairless mice1.2 rat (Youngsters for sale- ask about colours and coat types, hairless available upon request!) 0.2 acacia rats1.1 ferretstropical fish tank (complete w/ dwarf congo frogs!) usambara baboon spiderhonduran curly hair spider[option]

Thanks snakecharmer. I took your advice and just went straight in ignoring the hissing and rattling, you were bang-on, she was well bluffing. I got her in my hands, we were both a bit anxious for a few minutes and then it was all calm. After handling her for nearly an hour she was so relaxed that I finally found her snake poo! all over my t-shirt . I wonder how many others have experienced that, what a smell and no more t-shirt, one of my fav's I might add. Anyway I have had her out everyday now and she seems to be very relaxed about it all. She does smell a bit though, can you get snake deodorant?

Thanks again Jay