Wiggling f/t to trigger feeding responses (aka newb owner feeding advice)

[kath_]

After ten minutes of wiggling the f/t, Buddy didn't go for it. He seemed pretty interested in it but didn't even strike. After ten more minutes of pretty much making the f/t run around the cage, I just plopped it on the hot side and plan to leave it overnight to see if he eats. *crosses fingers and prays* Is it necessary to wiggle f/t with tongs to trigger a feeding response? Or would just plopping it in the cage make him feel more secure and more likely to eat? Buddy's feeding schedule has been all over the place but so far it looks like he's going to miss two meals.

Overview
10/21-First meal since I got him was offered. Fed around 6pm. I wiggled it with tongs in front of his hide and he immediately struck and coiled but didn't actually swallow. He uncoiled after a while and just stared at it until midnight when he actually ate.
10/28-Offered at 6pm. Wiggled again but no feeding response. Seemed interested and got very close to it but didn't eat. Took out f/t around midnight. However, the next day his eyes turned dull blue so I figured he'd eat when he was done shedding.
10/28-11/3: Shedding period. Went very well and came off in one piece with no stuck shed or eyecaps
Today: 11/6. Offered at 3am. Wiggled but no response. Again, very interested but nothing so far. Leaving the f/t in cage overnight.

I've handled him a total of 4 times since I got him. 10/24, 10/26, 10/27, and 11/4 in 15 minute sessions. That's not overkill on the handling I hope but maybe he's stressed because of that? Maybe I should just leave him alone. But maybe the wiggling and having me loom over him while he wants to eat isn't helping either. What's the best way to go about this?

[Mangiapane85]

I bounce them around a little with the tongs and when they snag it , I continue wiggling for about 10 seconds to make them think they have a fight on their hands.. but none of mine struggle with feeding. ... in your case, id try pre-killed. Kind of a sad thing to do but if it helps the snake, then that's what matters.


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[Zincubus]

After ten minutes of wiggling the f/t, Buddy didn't go for it. He seemed pretty interested in it but didn't even strike. After ten more minutes of pretty much making the f/t run around the cage, I just plopped it on the hot side and plan to leave it overnight to see if he eats. *crosses fingers and prays* Is it necessary to wiggle f/t with tongs to trigger a feeding response? Or would just plopping it in the cage make him feel more secure and more likely to eat? Buddy's feeding schedule has been all over the place but so far it looks like he's going to miss two meals.

Overview
10/21-First meal since I got him was offered. Fed around 6pm. I wiggled it with tongs in front of his hide and he immediately struck and coiled but didn't actually swallow. He uncoiled after a while and just stared at it until midnight when he actually ate.
10/28-Offered at 6pm. Wiggled again but no feeding response. Seemed interested and got very close to it but didn't eat. Took out f/t around midnight. However, the next day his eyes turned dull blue so I figured he'd eat when he was done shedding.
10/28-11/3: Shedding period. Went very well and came off in one piece with no stuck shed or eyecaps
Today: 11/6. Offered at 3am. Wiggled but no response. Again, very interested but nothing so far. Leaving the f/t in cage overnight.

I've handled him a total of 4 times since I got him. 10/24, 10/26, 10/27, and 11/4 in 15 minute sessions. That's not overkill on the handling I hope but maybe he's stressed because of that? Maybe I should just leave him alone. But maybe the wiggling and having me loom over him while he wants to eat isn't helping either. What's the best way to go about this?

Well speaking personally , this works 100% for my five Royals .

Mine all prefer to strike from within their hide , so I wait until their noses appear at the hide entrance before offering . Warm the df mouse up for 15 seconds with a hairdryer and offer on tongs immediately .

They usually go for first time but if not - repeat .

Warm up a second time for 10 seconds and offer again immediately .
Repeat this procedure until it takes it .

I've used this method successfully for donkeys years , always fed df rodents with no problems whatsoever ..

Good luck !


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[kath_]

Hey hey! It worked! He took it. Still amazes me they can stretch their jaws that big. You're right. Just took some extra warming up and a couple tries. Thanks for the tip!

[Mangiapane85]

Good to hear he ate for you!


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[kath_]

I followed your advice and put up a fight after he struck. I'm so happy! Haha I never thought feeding a pet could feel so rewarding. Thank you so much for giving me advice, even for repetitive newbie feeding problems. It helped so much!

[Zincubus]

Hey hey! It worked! He took it. Still amazes me they can stretch their jaws that big. You're right. Just took some extra warming up and a couple tries. Thanks for the tip!

Lovely !!!!


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With Royals being nocturnal I only feed at night time -I presumed that it was their heat sensors kicking in and latching onto the heated area of the mouse BUT it worked for you in the daylight so maybe it's simply the smell of warmed meat


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[kath_]

Lovely !!!!


Spread the word

With Royals being nocturnal I only feed at night time -I presumed that it was their heat sensors kicking in and latching onto the heated area of the mouse BUT it worked for you in the daylight so maybe it's simply the smell of warmed meat


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Maybe! I still have so much to learn about royal feeding habits. I'm under the impression that different snakes have different feeding preferences. Still getting to know what Buddy's preferences are. I guess I could have gone with an easier type of snake as my first reptile but I feel like my best efforts are paying off with a BP, so that's good enough for me.

[Zincubus]

Maybe! I still have so much to learn about royal feeding habits. I'm under the impression that different snakes have different feeding preferences. Still getting to know what Buddy's preferences are. I guess I could have gone with an easier type of snake as my first reptile but I feel like my best efforts are paying off with a BP, so that's good enough for me.

The 'supposed' fussy feeding label has sadly stuck with Royals but they have so many great traits . Amazing to handle , I'd trust anyone to handle my Royals ( with close supervision of course ) .

They're always stunning looking whichever morph you choose , even the Classique ( normals ) . They're also cruelly labelled pet rocks as they're apparently so lazy and YET if you put branches in their enclosure they will happily climb all through the evening ..


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[cletus]

Great to see he ate for you!!