Hello all, just thought I'd share an experience I have had recently regarding some of my non-feeders.
I have read of people's experiences before whereby a live rodent has been placed in the same room as non-feeding snakes (not for eating, in a separate cage) and has provoked a feeding response, but I have always sort of turned my nose up at it and put it down to coincidence.
Anyway, my neighbour went on holiday a week ago and I agreed to hamster-sit. I have snakes in 2 rooms in my house, with some non-feeders in both of them. When I say non-feeders, I mean not having fed this year rather than a week or two.
First of all the hamster (in its cage) went into a room where I have an adult male and an adult female that last fed in December 2009, after 3 days I offered them each a feed and both took it! - Coincidence I thought and a change in temperatures/daylight hours. So I offered the non-feeders in the other room (sub-adult male and female, female not eaten this year, male not eaten since Feb) and as usual they turned away from the food.
I moved the hamster into the room with these other non-feeders and 3 days later offered a feed again, both ate!
Is it the constant smell of food in the room or just the right time of year for these particular snakes to restart?
I haven't really convinced myself yet that it isn't still just chance, but thought that it may be of use for others to try if they're worried about their snakes.
PS. All 4 snakes were Royals.
I have read of people's experiences before whereby a live rodent has been placed in the same room as non-feeding snakes (not for eating, in a separate cage) and has provoked a feeding response, but I have always sort of turned my nose up at it and put it down to coincidence.
Anyway, my neighbour went on holiday a week ago and I agreed to hamster-sit. I have snakes in 2 rooms in my house, with some non-feeders in both of them. When I say non-feeders, I mean not having fed this year rather than a week or two.
First of all the hamster (in its cage) went into a room where I have an adult male and an adult female that last fed in December 2009, after 3 days I offered them each a feed and both took it! - Coincidence I thought and a change in temperatures/daylight hours. So I offered the non-feeders in the other room (sub-adult male and female, female not eaten this year, male not eaten since Feb) and as usual they turned away from the food.
I moved the hamster into the room with these other non-feeders and 3 days later offered a feed again, both ate!
Is it the constant smell of food in the room or just the right time of year for these particular snakes to restart?
I haven't really convinced myself yet that it isn't still just chance, but thought that it may be of use for others to try if they're worried about their snakes.
PS. All 4 snakes were Royals.