Assist feeding

[Mikkla]

Here's a short clip of how we assist feed.
Remember that this is a last resort to get a ball python to eat.

YouTube - Assist feeding a ball python

[Vacado]

Nice video. What do you do if the snake refuses to swallow it the rest of the way on its own?

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[Shadera]

Great video, thanks for sharing.

[jrosen123]

great video, seems to be what I was trying to do with a stubborn baby ball, but whenever i tried it wouldn't constrict, and it would shake the mouse out of its mouth, over and over again. any tips?

[jglass38]

Good video! For anyone that hasn't done it, a lot of time when you assist feed, the snake won't just coil that easily. What I learned is when you put the head of the prey item into the snake's mouth, push it in a little bit and then lightly tug back on the prey item to catch it on the snake's teeth. This will make it harder to just come out of the snake's mouth when it struggles at first and in my experience they will eventually give up trying to unhook it and get the hint. I have had to assist feed quite a few snakes in the past and you should always try all the tricks first. Adam has a good journal entry on his site going over tips and tricks for getting a stubborn feeder going.

[Mikkla]

When we first started to assist feed him we had to do what jglass38 said. But after 2 times he started constricting. Then we started with assist feeding with live food and now he's eating on his own like there's no tomorrow

[Nate]

yeah I had to deal with a stubborn little one in my first clutch last year and that was his reaction....he coiled and ate all on his own. He has finally figured out what food is and he's not a little beast at feeding time

Great video, thanks!!

[Bundu Boy]

Great video, thanks for sharing

[alohareptiles]

Very nice video...I hope I won't have to try that...

[gu1do24]

that is a great video, and will be very helpful to someoen that needs it