Changing feeding response?

[dr del]

Hi,

At the moment I'm trying to get my hatchlings eating reliably by slowly working my way through the various tips and hints on the site. Heres where I am just now;

All these are using fuzzy f/t mice.

No. 1 wriggler = likes them dry but heated in hot water and then strikes them from my fingers, Had 2 this way so far but I think he likes them too hot.

No. 2 = has struck once at one prepared as above but then ignored it - planning on making him feel more secure for next time.

No. 3 = seems completely unintrested but has eaten 2 placed in his mouth - he was the small one and I was getting nervous


Now while this is hardly a stellar record ( and all hints gratefully accepted) it's not really the point of the post. What I would like to know is how easy it is to change them to eating from the floor rather than strike feeding once they have got the hang of this eating lark.

At the moment all my snakes but one are strike feeders and It's becoming obvious that this could be a real pain if the number of snakes keeps growing but I have no idea how to go about changing it. When the food is not presented in the manner they like they tend to ignore it ( one of them even has a special grip I have to do) and when it comes to a battle of wills [ and possibly wits] I always get worried before they get hungry.

The other reason for the change is that I only plan on keeping one of the hatchlings and thought it might be a better idea as a convenience to the shop/owner they end up going to.

So do any of you guru's have any strategy's thoughts?


dr del

[recycling goddess]

have you tried adding some crumpled up newspaper into their enclosures? perhaps they are feeling unsafe?

other than that... i know nothing... sorry

[dr del]

Hi,


Yeah I was planning on trying this for the 2 stubborn ones - but the strike'n'drop merchant has a habit of somehow managing to get water everywhere and I'm slightly worried I'll find her paper mache'd to the floor. I'm using quite heavy ceramic bowls so I can only assume she's doing it by climbing into the waterbowl though I've yet to catch her at it. Thinking about that I will try lowering the level of water in her bowl to see if that stops it.

How long do you think I should wait after putting in the crumpled newspaper before trying to feed them again? would they need another week or two to settle after a tank change or doesn't it matter?


dr del