I what eles can i do ?

He'll have no trouble. Their jaws unhinge. Go to youtube and look at feeding videos. They stretch all freaky-like.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ryssa

So in 5 days I will try the bigger prey , But if he is having a hard time how can I tell ?? I mean how long is too long for him to get it down ? What if he can't ? I know I sound like I am just freaking out over nothing but I REALLY do have his best interest at hart !!!

---

I've never had one not manage to get it down once they start. Sometimes, it takes them longer to get the prey down than other times. Once he starts swallowing just let him do his thing and work it out. I figure as long as they are working it and making progress, however slow that may be, then they are doing ok...

But when do u know when they are having a hard time will they just spit it out and stop trying ? Has anyone had them give up be for ?

Ok, I and anyone else here can GUARANTEE you that he can eat a mouse fuzzy. Hatchlings eat them. That's a plain and simple fact.

Usually if it's too big he won't eat it. There have been a few people on here that have had their balls strike without a coil. That is a sign of stress and that he does not want it.

They won't force themsleves to eat something they can't. The strange part is watching one try and eat it sideways. Usually they will just let go and search for a better spot.

Don't worry so much dear. We won't steer you wrong. He'll be ok.

Thank you all so much !!!!!!!!! :banana:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ryssa

I know I sound like I am just freaking out over nothing but I REALLY do have his best interest at hart !!!

---

We also have his best interest at heart. If you continue to feed him pinkies though, he will not get the correct nourishment he needs and he will not grow.

I can also guarantee that he can eat a fuzzy mouse. I can also agree that he can eat one step up from that, a hopper.

If it is too big he simply will not eat it. You don't need to interfere. Just offer it and let him do the rest.

You would be surprised what they can shove down their skinny necks. All of the skin there is extremely elastic and can stretch even wider then the snakes largest part.

If it makes you feel better. this is my experience.

I had just purchased some frozen rats for my snakes that were MUCH bigger than what I had been feeding. I had started with appropriately sized rats, but I bought a lot, so I wanted them to be gone before I went bigger.

I was quite nervous offering these new rats, they seemed positively huge! However, I had read and researched here, so I knew my snakes could eat them. The next feeding day, each snake carefully sized up the bigger prey, and only one refused to eat the new size. It took them a little longer to swallow, about 15 minutes as compared to under 2 minutes, but no one had any troubles. I offered the smaller size to the one who was uncomfortable with the new rats and she ate fine.

All my snakes will refuse food that is too big, even when they are hungry, they seem to know pretty well what they can handle.

Gale

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaorte

You would be surprised what they can shove down their skinny necks. All of the skin there is extremely elastic and can stretch even wider then the snakes largest part.

---

Especially when they decide to eat butt first. I find it a bit disconcerting, yet mildly entertaining to watch. Sometimes I think it is by sheer force of will that they manage to get it down that way...