Questions about feeding live...

my snake doesn't take dead prey though...It just won't. Is it really better to throw it in live versus stunning? It has to be live i know that.

Ok I was thinking stunning it would be pointless because I was hoping the movement might get her interested in eating again.

Well when I say stun that thing is twitching around the box. As if its on its way. Sorry to sound morbid but I do care about my snake. I HATE rats tho...I just do. So looking out for my snake. or atleast TRYING to I want that thing as close to dead as possible while still breathing.


Like I said though, any more effective safer methods would greatly be appreciated

One thing I always do is pre-scent the room for about 30 minutes before offering the live prey. Set the Kritter Keeper down near the enclosure and let the snake get ready for the introduction of the prey.


I also follow strict routines - I feed the same day of the week, same time of day, and in the same order. By the time I offer the prey item (be it a large mouse or small rat), the snake is often already head out of the hide waiting for dinner to be served and the prey is struck and constricted in under a minute (in some cases before their feet hit the floor). I choose prey that is slightly smaller than my snake's girth and find they are quite capable of dispatching the prey on their own! :D

Ok so I just chuck it in and hope for the best?

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Originally Posted by jenaero

Ok so I just chuck it in and hope for the best?

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I don't "chuck" them, and don't hope for the best (it always goes fine). Follow routines, drop the prey in and if he doesn't take it in 15 minutes - remove and try in another week.

With my luck she'll ignore it and I'll have another pet:eek:

Of course I'd put it in carefully and keep a close eye on them. There's no real routine anymore because of her constant refusal...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jenaero

With my luck she'll ignore it and I'll have another pet:eek:

Of course I'd put it in carefully and keep a close eye on them. There's no real routine anymore because of her constant refusal...

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Make a routine - pick one day a week and offer on that day only. She'll pick up the routine. You might even give her two weeks until her next feeding to get good and ready.

I had one "kiddo" that fasted for about six months last year. Just offered once a week until he decided he was ready to eat again.

I just worry that she's not going to come around. She's never refused before and now it's been weeks. I know that's relatively normal but still.

Ok so last attempt was last night..I really need to wait til next wednesday? She used to be every 5 days.

I do worry that she's too small to go months without.

Do you know how much she weighs? Yes, I'd wait until next Wednesday - she'll be fine. It could be that she's just fasting to "catch up" with the food she's gotten every five days previously. And then as new owners (I did it myself as a new owner) we worry and worry and try to offer more frequently, when all that does is really just stress them out and exacerbate the fast.


Smaller meals once weekly helps to reduce the number of fasts (as well as spot on husbandy)