:)

[Kathleen]

I decided to try F/T tonight. I thawed the mouse, then blow-dried it and stuck it under a heat lamp for a few minutes so it would be extra warm. I then grabbed its tail with some tongs and did the classic "zombie dance." While this grabbed Freddie's interest, it took him a long time to strike, and when he finally did, he missed. I thought it was game over after that because he sort of backed off, but I kept wiggling the mouse. Eventually (about 25 minutes into it), my arm got tired so I just plopped the mouse down for a rest. While I was giving my arm a break, Freddie went right up to the mouse, sniffed it over and then began to eat. There was no strike and no coil.

Amazed at this ironic bit of luck, I quickly thawed another mouse. This time, when I wiggled it near him, he showed no interest. So I decided to put it in his hot side hide. When he went in there, he curled up around it and then decided it would make a better snack than a pillow. So he's just now finishing off #2.

I'm so proud of him.

I have a question, though. For next time, should I just try putting in his hide again? The wiggling really didn't seem to do it for him... he'd be interested but that was it. It was only when the mouse was laid down that he finally ate. So I thought I'd ask you all for suggestions for next Friday. Thanks in advance!

[tigerlily]

Congrats. I would go with what works. If that means no zombie dance then go for it!

[rrupp1179]

I was totally surprised when my BP didn't strike or coil either. I did the dance with the mouse for about 5 minutes (I m lacking in the endurance that you had lol). I decided to wait until her head turned in the direction of the mouse and set it down. She just took it in her mouth and went to town.

I asked a couple of ppl here about this and have come to the conclusion that you kinda have to stick with what works. Snakes are their own being and the wonderful part of owning one is learning their personality and what works for the individual snake.

In my novice opinion, I would stick to what worked for Freddie. Maybe putting the snake in the hide is what he preferred

[Kathleen]

Congrats. I would go with what works. If that means no zombie dance then go for it!

Thanks. Going with what works does seem sensible. Here's to hoping it really does work every time.

I was totally surprised when my BP didn't strike or coil either. I did the dance with the mouse for about 5 minutes (I m lacking in the endurance that you had lol). I decided to wait until her head turned in the direction of the mouse and set it down. She just took it in her mouth and went to town.

I asked a couple of ppl here about this and have come to the conclusion that you kinda have to stick with what works. Snakes are their own being and the wonderful part of owning one is learning their personality and what works for the individual snake.

In my novice opinion, I would stick to what worked for Freddie. Maybe putting the snake in the hide is what he preferred

Thanks for the input. I'll try it again and hopefully he'll take it again.

[Mochelem]

Some of my new babies do that, its like they can tell its allready dead...

[Sath09]

My big girl doesn't fool around with the coiling and striking nonsense most of the time either. She knows that is a dead rat, and she knows she wants to eat it... end of story.

[kc261]

As everyone has already said, just go with what works for you & your snake.

You are lucky if you have a snake that does not require the zombie dance. It will make your feedings quicker & easier, altho admittedly less interactive. But also in the event you ever have to have anyone else feed your snake, it is a lot simpler to explain to just set the mouse near the hide than it is how to do a zombie dance that has enough motion to catch the snake's interest, but not so much that it scares them and/or makes them miss.

[Kathleen]

Well, Freddie left a perfect shed (somehow tied into an interesting knot) and a big #2 for me this morning so I gifted him in turn with two F/T mice. I just put each in front of him in turn and he sniffed a bit before proceeding to swallow. I'm very happy right now...

I'm also amused at the fact that my window seat is now a bona fide mouse thawing station, complete with a towel, a bowl of hot water, scissors (for cutting the bags they're in) and a blow dryer. Haha. So much for picturesque.

[frankykeno]

Geeze Kathleen didn't you know you were supposed to lay the warmed up mouse down for the snake while YOU danced around like a zombie nearby?????

okay I couldn't resist!

Seriously though, congrats on not only the nice f/t feeding routine you're getting going there but also the shed - sounds like you're doing things right for your snake. Wait till Freddie sheds one time and manages to roll it all around a stinky poop in the very center. I've no idea how they manage that without thumbs LOL. Sure ruins the idea of keeping a perfect shed though.

I had to laugh at your description of your window seat aka the mouse prep station. I'm quite sure some of your friends think you've lost your mind, I know some of mine do when they see what we do for the snakes.

[Kathleen]

I should've known... silly me.

Thank-you. Since I purchased him in November of last year, I've learned tons (mostly from this site) and he's getting top-notch care.

And, luckily, my friends love Freddie. My best friend considers him to be her "godsnake." She was with me when I initially tried F/T (and failed... haha) long ago. So she'll be extra proud to hear the news!