Finally the last hold out finally took.

[jcoylesr76]

I can not recall what thread it was that someone asked me to keep them posted on the feeding status on my VPI axanthic male who was fed ASF's prior to being shipped to me. so i hope they find their way to this post.

The animal arrived on 2-26-13 well packed, claimed to be taking F/T Rat Pups, with poor feeding records, and no hatch information, after a bit of trying to figure out the breeders code, it was found that they in fact had fed some ASF's to him just prior to shipping him out. (last 2 feedings about 10 days apart and a week before being shipped out), I let him settle in for a week and stared offering proper sized F/T Rat pups to him, No go, and continued offering every 7-10 days, watching for activity, and his weight dropping. 8 offerings thus far.

Offered number 9 last night as usual with all others, zombie danced for a while, then left it in for a few hours, then decided to bag him over night, this morning nothing as expected, getting a little frustrated (no lie on that one), i was settling in to force feed, (i hate this option), as his deterioration and survival at this point is very concerning. however, all i did was place the pups head into his mouth, did not force anything, once his teeth sunk into the head, he wrapped it up, i placed back in the tub and walked away checked an hour later and down the hatch it went. WHOOOOO!

Hopefully this is the start of more consistent feeding for him. I can not say 100% this is because of the ASF feeding or not. hopefully just a young hold out. because his female partner has been fed ASF's as well and is a monster on rat pups. but i figured i would update this for anyone who had wanted to stay informed.

[Pythonfriend]

thats what i call assist feeding

you put the head of the prey item halfway into the mouth of the snake, so that the snake can decide to eat it or to spit it out. You dont shove it all the way in, give the snake freedom to decide.


better than force feeding anyway IMHO. i would always try that first before doing the more stressful and invasive force feeding.

you just learned it by accident, thanks for sharing

[jcoylesr76]

thats what i call assist feeding

you put the head of the prey item halfway into the mouth of the snake, so that the snake can decide to eat it or to spit it out. You dont shove it all the way in, give the snake freedom to decide.


better than force feeding anyway IMHO. i would always try that first before doing the more stressful and invasive force feeding.

you just learned it by accident, thanks for sharing

i am just glad he decided to take it, regardless, his mistress is a monster with no issues, and this being a "dream" pair of mine for a long time, i would have hated to watch him wither away. hopefully next feeding attempt will go much better.

ETA: Will add a Pic of the two to compare shortly, Male on your left, and female on your right, both within 10g when i got them.