Force feeding...of sorts

[Highline Reptiles South]

I have one BP that is a really picky eater. Many times he shows interest initially and may bit or even constrict before giving up. It seems it just isnt that smart about what angle to take his prey. He is 1 year old and still tries to take it sideways sometimes.

I've take to holding him below the neck sometimes a while after he give up...and force the nose of the small f/t rat gently into the mouth....at which point my knuckle head with finally "get it" bite on him and constrict. I'll usually shake the tail of the rat while he constricts to get him juiced up and squeeze tighter.

So, although a picky pain in the but eater, he is plump and healthy...my question is.....am i doing anything wrong? I'm not really force feeding but force starting....i may do it every 3rd feeding. I feed once a week.

Just trying to know if I should do something better...

[dr del]

Hi,

Have you tried heating the head of the prey up more with a hairdrier?

You really shouldn't be assist feeding a snake on a regular basis.

Could you be overfeeding him? Have you tried alternative prey?


dr del

[Highline Reptiles South]

I have used mice and rats...same result. I have not tried warming the head with a hair dryer...just warming up the entire prey again...

I am feeding appropriately sized prey about every 7 days....

Should I just discard the rejected meal and wait a week?

[Homegrownscales]

That's is as what Dr Del stated an assisted feed. He should be eating on his own by now. I've only had to do 2 assist feeds out of 30 something babies and that was only 1 baby. I've never forcefed. Id check to make sure all husbandry is correct and let him get hungry. This is all assuming he has Bo neurological issues that could be effecting his striking. Like a spider with a bad wobble.