Increased Aggression

[Jay_Bunny]

I have switched all my snakes over to frozen thawed and I love it! I feel so much better knowing my snakes can't get hurt during feeding day. The thing is, I've noticed an increase in their aggression. They do feed in the tub but its never been an issue before. Ross, my rescue, actually came out of his tub a good 1.5ft to lunge at the mouse. These mice were not even warmed. They were room temperature so their feeding responses are amazing. A few of them are still doing the whole "nope not going to eat it" *jiggle mouse* "nope, not going to do it" *jiggle mouse* "Fine, I'll eat the darn mouse" thing. But at least 4 of them are all over these f/t mice! Any ideas on the increased aggression though?

[Sarin]

I had the same thing happen to one of our BP's. His feeding response was better on the F/T then live. But he wasn't more aggressive towards us afterwards. Are they still eating the same type of rodent? (ASF, rat, mouse.)

[Jay_Bunny]

Same type, same source. I'm just getting a better response out of some of my snakes with f/t and I'm thrilled! All of my males are on large mice (2 at a time) but I will be switching them to rats soon. My boa is eating two large mice every meal and the female balls are all on rats save for one who is eating 2 large mice or one small rat every meal.

[dr del]

Hi,

One point to consider.

You said the mice hadn't been warmed.

This is a bad idea for a few reasons.

The snake is designed to look for the heat signature so when it smells food in the area and the only heat signature is you.... Stupid Feeding Error.

Warming the head of the mouse more than the butt can help them eat it the right way round and will also encourage the feeding strike which means less time spent on the zombie cha-cha.

On the aggression thing are they getting the same weight of prey they were getting before? Could they still just be hungry?


dr del

[NorthernRegius]

Same type, same source. I'm just getting a better response out of some of my snakes with f/t and I'm thrilled! All of my males are on large mice (2 at a time) but I will be switching them to rats soon. My boa is eating two large mice every meal and the female balls are all on rats save for one who is eating 2 large mice or one small rat every meal.

Yep, this is why I love my FT feeders.
1- Use tongs
2- Correct size feeder & frequency

As long as they aren't aggressive at other times, then you now know where the term aggressive feeder comes from!

[Jay_Bunny]

I only have three snakes that are aggressive on days other than feeding day, and I'm slowly working with these snakes. One hisses and tries to strike, one just tries to strike with no warning and the other is actively coming out of her enclosure trying to get me (boa).

Tongs are a must with my snakes. I learned very fast that fingers are not for feeding snakes. I tried dangling a f/t mouse to my corn a few years ago and she let me know, "Hey, those mousy smelling things are warmer than what you are trying to give me. They must be food!" Chomp! She got my finger instead of the mouse. Got me right on the side of my fingernail! Ow! So yea, I quickly got some tongs after that. Only problem is, I swear my tongs are not long enough. They are your standard tongs used for snake feeding. Not sure the exact length but two of my snakes try to by-pass the tongs to get to my fingers.

[dr del]

Heh,

That would be because the warm tasty looking things are at the wrong end.


dr del

[cinderbird]

I only have three snakes that are aggressive on days other than feeding day, and I'm slowly working with these snakes. One hisses and tries to strike, one just tries to strike with no warning and the other is actively coming out of her enclosure trying to get me (boa).

Tongs are a must with my snakes. I learned very fast that fingers are not for feeding snakes. I tried dangling a f/t mouse to my corn a few years ago and she let me know, "Hey, those mousy smelling things are warmer than what you are trying to give me. They must be food!" Chomp! She got my finger instead of the mouse. Got me right on the side of my fingernail! Ow! So yea, I quickly got some tongs after that. Only problem is, I swear my tongs are not long enough. They are your standard tongs used for snake feeding. Not sure the exact length but two of my snakes try to by-pass the tongs to get to my fingers.

i use 18 inch hemostats for everyone, even my babies hehe.

quarantine has 12 inch tongs though. if someone gets a little too excited, i give them a small tap with the snake hook