How to move on from assist feeding?

[thismissbex]

Ah, I see. Well like I said, I have no contact details for him. And personally I don't agree with feeding live anyways so it's a no go for me


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[EL-Ziggy]

I'd offer him food every 7-10 days until he eats. I know it happens sometimes but most animals won't starve themselves to death. Hunger will usually win in the end. Best wishes.

[DVirginiana]

Ah, I see. Well like I said, I have no contact details for him.

And personally I don't agree with feeding live anyways so it's a no go for me


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Whatever it takes to get your snake eating should be what's okay IMO. If it's actually illegal, then I can respect that (I'm not going to tell someone to break the law). I really do hope you can get him to take f/t, but you did go out and purchase a carnivorous exotic animal that has been evolving to kill mice for millions of years. Making sure it stays healthy is on you now.

[bcr229]

For those of us who still use English units, 25*C-30*C = 77*F-86*F. I'd bump up the high side a degree *C.

[thismissbex]

Oh totally, I would never allow his health to be in jeopardy but I'm confident there will be a way without using live!
I was just really curious to see if anyone else has had experience with assist feeding? I haven't got much answers on that specific area?


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[thismissbex]

Put it back up even though he never went to the warm side when I had it at 31C before?


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[PitOnTheProwl]

Assist feeding really shouldnt be done with an animal that has ever eaten on its own.
All you are doing is adding more unneeded stress on it.

[thismissbex]

Assist feeding really shouldnt be done with an animal that has ever eaten on its own.
All you are doing is adding more unneeded stress on it.

With all due respect, you can tell me this all day long but what's done is done! And I'm asking for advice on what to do now? So if you have any that would be awesome


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[John1982]

Just to be clear - the snake hasn't eaten since you received him? If so, adding in fact that the last owner was a bit sketchy and not available for questions, you can't be sure the snake ever ate on it's own anyway. Converting assist feeders varies from snake to snake. Some will only need 1-2 to get kick started. Others will need weeks or even months before they figure things out.

Since you're assist feeding f/t and you have no other option but f/t, converting is easy enough - though difficulty has nothing to do with length of time. He could eat on his own next offering, or in 2 weeks, or in 2 months or even longer. Here's how I'd do it if I were in your circumstances. I'd try a few things before assisting again though.

First thing I'd try before assisting again:
1) Wait until late evening, early night.
2) You want to do this while he is relaxed in his hide.
3) Warm up rodent to roughly 37-38C. It helps if you have a temp gun.
4) Leave f/t rodent outside but within a couple inches of hide entrance.
5) Come back in the morning - if rodent still there discard it.

Second thing I'd try about 7 days later:
1) Wait until late evening, early night.
2) Same as before, preferably when snake is relaxed in hide.
3) Warm up rodent to roughly 37-38C. It helps if you have a temp gun.
4) Dangle in front of hide for a bit, see if you can't get a response.
5) If no strike after a couple minutes of teasing, leave rodent overnight.

I'd do the above 2 methods with mice and rats if they're both available to you. One more month without food, especially since he just got assist fed, won't make or break this guy regardless.

At that point I'd probably go back to assist feeding. Here's what I'd personally do with the restriction of only using f/t rodents.

1) Wait until late evening, early night - preferably with snake in hide.
2) Zombie dance warmed up rodent.
3) Leave rodent in front of hide.
4) Turn out all lights, leave room, come back in 4-5 hours.
5) If rodent still there I'd then assist.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Oh totally, I would never allow his health to be in jeopardy but I'm confident there will be a way without using live!
I was just really curious to see if anyone else has had experience with assist feeding? I haven't got much answers on that specific area?


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With all due respect, you can tell me this all day long but what's done is done! And I'm asking for advice on what to do now? So if you have any that would be awesome


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Actually I already did.
You refuse to try live, havent mentioned if its a problem in your area either.
Good luck to you.