Young snake and feeding.

Hello!

So I’m a little nervous with feeding my new Snake, Lily Dragon. Tomorrow is feeding day, but only having Lily Dragon for 3 days at that point, it’ll be a bit too soon. I plan on feeding next her next week. The thing I’m scared about is that Lily is pretty young, about 2 months old. She’s eaten several times before I got her, and has shed. But she was feeding on live fuzzies, and I have frozen [emoji45]. Originally I thought I was told she was feeding on frozen, so I bought accordingly, but talking over email, I was told she was on live but not tried on frozen. Now I’m a little nervous. How does one go about feeding such a young snake, especially one who was originally on live? I never had problems with Pua since he was on frozen all his life and eats with great gusto. I just want to be prepared for next Tuesday when I feed her. I’m a little new with young snakes, since Pua was 6 months when I got him, he was already an established feeder.


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You just have to try and hope!

Heat the rat with a hairdryer or heat pad to get it its body temperature to around 100 F, as if it were alive.

Offer by holding it by the scruff of the neck with your tongs, and point it nose first at your BP if she seems interested.

Do not wiggle or move it too much, or it might scare the snake, just a little bit at a time to look "alive".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

You just have to try and hope!

Heat the rat with a hairdryer or heat pad to get it its body temperature to around 100 F, as if it were alive.

Offer by holding it by the scruff of the neck with your tongs, and point it nose first at your BP if she seems interested.

Do not wiggle or move it too much, or it might scare the snake, just a little bit at a time to look "alive".

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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...69bc48b976.jpg

I’ll give that a try! I really want to get this beautiful baby on frozen! It’s so much easier!



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Wow, he's a real stunner! Good luck with the f/t. Some snakes will accept f/t with no issues and others will require more time and patience. Most will get there eventually. It might take some tough love though so be prepared. :)

Both of mine her that young and eating live when I got them. Both transitioned without issue. There is a lot written on the subject. On this forum and other places.

Both of mine were a little shy the first time I gave them frozen. Give yourself enough time so you don't feel rushed to get them on food. Thaw the rat in the room she is in, usually by the time it is ready she'll be ready to go.

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Wow, he's a real stunner! Good luck with the f/t. Some snakes will accept f/t with no issues and others will require more time and patience. Most will get there eventually. It might take some tough love though so be prepared. :)

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Thanks! Lily Dragon is a girl btw[emoji6].


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by KillerKame

Both of mine her that young and eating live when I got them. Both transitioned without issue. There is a lot written on the subject. On this forum and other places.

Both of mine were a little shy the first time I gave them frozen. Give yourself enough time so you don't feel rushed to get them on food. Thaw the rat in the room she is in, usually by the time it is ready she'll be ready to go.

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Hmm, sounds interesting. I’m just hoping she eats! I want her to get nice and big on frozen! I’ll be sure to take it slow. Thanks for the insight!


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She is a pretty little snake! Is she a bumble bee?

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Originally Posted by MmmBanana

She is a pretty little snake! Is she a bumble bee?

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Yes she is! Also Het-G Stripe!


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Don't despair if you have a little hiccup starting feeding. If you get f/t right off the bat that is wonderful but if not, it's not a sign of disaster. Lots of times hatchlings and juveniles will only eat live and you might have to do that a few times to get things started up again.

Lots of love and luck for your first feed, you have a beauty and lots of people here that can help out if things get frustrating.

Aw, don't worry, you'll get it! I second thawing her food near her enclosure. After a 2-3 hour thaw, I drop the mouse hopper in a plastic bag and warm it up with hot tap water. I take it out of the bag after 20 minutes, and then I use a hair dryer on low for 10 seconds to heat up the food's head.

I had the same issue with my baby when I got her. I was terrified and frustrated and she didn't eat for 2 weeks, this was after a really bad shed, and leaving her alone for another week. Though she did eat and I was able to get her to take a F/T, and you'll get it too!

Between the amazing advice here and this video below, I was able to get my hatchling eating, and now she's a little piggy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSX79DpN2b8

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Originally Posted by Quahog

Aw, don't worry, you'll get it! I second thawing her food near her enclosure. After a 2-3 hour thaw, I drop the mouse hopper in a plastic bag and warm it up with hot tap water. I take it out of the bag after 20 minutes, and then I use a hair dryer on low for 10 seconds to heat up the food's head.

I had the same issue with my baby when I got her. I was terrified and frustrated and she didn't eat for 2 weeks, this was after a really bad shed, and leaving her alone for another week. Though she did eat and I was able to get her to take a F/T, and you'll get it too!

Between the amazing advice here and this video below, I was able to get my hatchling eating, and now she's a little piggy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSX79DpN2b8

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When I feed my boy Pua, I thaw it out for a few hours and use the plastic bag in warm water method to warm it up. But Pua is such a great eater, he eats no matter what! He strikes with such force the rats tail sometimes rips off! I’m hoping Lily Dragon takes in some fashion similar to Pua


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Whoops! I didn't realize you had another snake XD! He rips the tail off sometimes?! LOL! He's a savage feeder!

You'll get Lily Dragon going :) She's gorgeous too BTW!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Quahog

Whoops! I didn't realize you had another snake XD! He rips the tail off sometimes?! LOL! He's a savage feeder!

You'll get Lily Dragon going :) She's gorgeous too BTW!

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Yup! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...968e757a6f.jpg the tail just rips off [emoji28]

He was my first snake, and I’m so glad he’s a great feeder! And thank you! I just can’t wait to get Lily Dragon going!


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