Assist Feeding Instructions

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Originally Posted by carpenter664

I have forced fed my snake 3 times so far he hasnt ate on his own but it is getting easier every time.Do you think I should put a frozen pinky in instead of always trying to feed him live fuzzies he is 3 months old

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I never assist feed with live - always with a pre-killed or f/t prey item.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

I never assist feed with live - always with a pre-killed or f/t prey item.

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X2 live is a bad idea

My het albino female has been causing me sleepless nights for what seems like weeks, but it actually has been just one week. When I used to be in the reptile hobby years ago - before the first piebald landed on USA soil - I had 'assist fed' a couple snakes. My original two snakes getting back into the hobby never need assisting - they'd eat a rubber mouse/rat if you scented it like a live one. So I needed some coaching and guidance as to what to do.

But tonight, I needed to help her get on her way with eating. She was too emaciated to hope she'd turn around on her own (she never fed for me, but I was told she fed for the breeder). *shrug*

Thanks to Mr. Bailey's clear and concise instructions I had my girl finishing a f/t hopper on her own. My info search + the "procedure" took just 10 minutes! No, it wasn't a quick fire challenge, but methodical and steady work... act like you have all night and day and it'll take five minutes. And yes, while I was as careful as I could be, I truly hope I didn't do her any harm and hope next week that she takes a live rat pinky. In any event, I think I'll be happy with progress so far and will sleep well tonight. Thank you 100x over. :salute:

just a note that its not always neccasary to push the mouse in very far or hook its teeth on the prey. The majority of the ones I have assist fed took the mouse just by having it placed in thier mouth. They instantly coil the second they feel it. I would definately do what was suggested for any snakes that spit it out right away but if its the first time Id give the snake a chance before pushing it further in and closing the mouth so the teeth catch.

I have a baby male ball python. I bought him wednesday, they guy selling him to feed him friday or saturday. Well we got the mouse(hopper) friday, cuz we wanted feeding day to b friday. We had to assist feed this afternoon. He ate it. My gf opened his mouth with a ear swab(saw on youtube) then I put in the hopper. Lu(my snake) bit down right away, she then removed the swab and in minutes the little hopper was gone. Lol, Lu wanted more. Is that a good sign?

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Originally Posted by GoingPostal

Wish I had this write up a few years back, ran into a lady at the pet store who had been shoving mice down her bp's throat with a pencil for an entire year. I was so horrified I didn't even know how to respond.

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Omg that's horrible!!!! :O

I have found that the most vitally important part of all this is to remain perfectly statue-still after setting the snake down, and not to close the bin. Any disturbance, and the snake is almost certain to spit it back out, but with patience, the food goes down the hatch instead. As soon as it's cleared the mouth, I can close the bin and walk away.

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

I have found that the most vitally important part of all this is to remain perfectly statue-still after setting the snake down, and not to close the bin. Any disturbance, and the snake is almost certain to spit it back out, but with patience, the food goes down the hatch instead. As soon as it's cleared the mouth, I can close the bin and walk away.

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I got mine to feed just by putting it in its mouth, it chopped down and started swallowing it.

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Originally Posted by CA cowgirl

My het albino female has been causing me sleepless nights for what seems like weeks, but it actually has been just one week. When I used to be in the reptile hobby years ago - before the first piebald landed on USA soil - I had 'assist fed' a couple snakes. My original two snakes getting back into the hobby never need assisting - they'd eat a rubber mouse/rat if you scented it like a live one. So I needed some coaching and guidance as to what to do.

But tonight, I needed to help her get on her way with eating. She was too emaciated to hope she'd turn around on her own (she never fed for me, but I was told she fed for the breeder). *shrug*

Thanks to Mr. Bailey's clear and concise instructions I had my girl finishing a f/t hopper on her own. My info search + the "procedure" took just 10 minutes! No, it wasn't a quick fire challenge, but methodical and steady work... act like you have all night and day and it'll take five minutes. And yes, while I was as careful as I could be, I truly hope I didn't do her any harm and hope next week that she takes a live rat pinky. In any event, I think I'll be happy with progress so far and will sleep well tonight. Thank you 100x over. :salute:

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You're quite welcome. I am glad the thread was helpful, as that was my original intent.

I do still need to add some pics, as I have been busy lately, but I do have 2 snakes that I am still assisting, and I might grab some pics of the process this week while I am assisting.

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Originally Posted by dragoonmaster1781

I got mine to feed just by putting it in its mouth, it chopped down and started swallowing it.

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You had an easy one, lol.