Some feeding advice?

[harper]

I got a beautiful sunkissed corn at the local reptile expo yesterday, and he looks happy and healthy! I already have a ball python, but I was wondering if I should use the same general approach to feed the corn? The ball is being particularly obnoxious about refusing food lately, but I've always had to dangle his food in with the forceps, do a little rodent zombie dance, and so on. Should I do the same for the corn, or will he eat if I just drop the pinky mouse in?

Also any other advice on balls vs. corns is welcome!

[TheWinWizard]

Try and see. I would think it'll eat either way.

[Blue Apple Herps]

Just drop it in. My older ones take food off of tongs, but the younger ones usually run away of you dangle something in theri face.

[Lolo76]

None of my corns EVER refuse a meal, and all will readily take f/t with the exception of Wednesday the ghost motley. My little granite Eddie likes when I dangle the prey (he gets off on the strike & coil, apparently), but the others all prefer I just drop in the mouse. The biggest difference between feeding corns vs ball pythons? The corns actually want to eat!

Almost every one of my pythons has refused a meal, sometimes going months & months without eating - I can't recall a corn ever refusing, even when they're in deep shed. Yesterday was feeding day, and Eddie was completely opaque... I offered anyway, and he was bumping around like a blind ferret to find that mouse! He even tried to eat the tongs at first, LOLOL.

[blushingball419]

Hahaha yup, most corns (and kings) simply live to eat. Unless they're sick or happen to be a particularly skittish hatchling, they will be ready to eat anytime, anywhere

For 2 of my corns (the bloodred and the snow), I dangle it from the tongs and they both have different responses. The bloodred attacks it and coils like it's going to be the most epic battle of his life, while the snow just kind of takes it in her mouth and immediately starts swallowing it And then I just drop it in with my big creamsicle girl, although every once and awhile I have to do a little of the zombie dance before she'll take it.

I agree that if it's a baby dangling the prey might scare it, but otherwise you just have to find what works for you and what he seems to like. They're all different, but they are awesome snakes!! Congrats and good luck!!

[melrappmel]

lacey my corn eats every time sometimes she likes me to just drop it in and sometimes she likes it if I dangle it around and tease her with it it just depends on her mood