Feeding techniques

[smigga]

Hi
I got my jungle python a week ago which is my first snake. I am going to feed him tonight and would like to hear any tips on how to feed, whether you use tongs or hand feed, in the enclosure or out.
Cheers Brad

 

[Raf_2202]

Hi,

Im in the same boat, got a new Murray Darling last wednesday and looking at feeding it tommorow. So im keen to hear some of the experts share their advice..

Cheers
RS

 

[lgotje]

i feed my snakes in a different tub to there enclosures so that they dont try and bite u every time u open up there homes to get them out i also use tweezers/tongs because its much more sanitary and some times ur snakes might miss the food item and bite u or might mistake ur hand as food if its much warmer than the feed i also defrost my mice/rats then soak them in hot water from the tap for about 5 mins so they are warmed right thru happy feeding

 

[LiasisKing]

The best way I have found is just to thaw out the rat or mouse in warm water or on a heat mat, then (after making sure that the rat or mouse is fully warmed through) simply hold the "prey" in the container or enclosure with tongs or tweezers... they should just latch onto it and that's that ...

Just make sure your bin has plenty on heat !!!
Good luck, let us know how it goes

 

[Narchy]

Might depend on how large your "jungle" is, however, I ALWAYS use tongs and have no problems with feeding in their enclosure.

ALWAYS wash/disinfect your hands after thawing their meal so you don't get smell like a rodent and get tagged by mistake...:lol:

 

[smigga]

thanks for all the advice, will tell you how it goes.
cheers brad

 

[Raf_2202]

Thanks everyone...

Will let you all know how it goes...!

Cheers
RS

 

[Snakelove]

Feed in its enclosure. Less stress for the snake.

 

[Rattler]

ALWAYS wash/disinfect your hands after thawing their meal so you don't get smell like a rodent and get tagged by mistake...:lol:
View attachment 167519

I take it you mean wash hands if your going to handle other snakes that have not been fed. Because I understand once snakes have munched out, your meant to leave em alone for a couple of days...

 

[CarpetPythons.com.au]

You will quickly learn why tongs are important! We just let our frozen food sit at room temperature over night. Dont stress too much. It's pretty straight forward if he has had a few feeds in his life.

 

[scottyo998]

Feed in its enclosure. Less stress for the snake.

I feed all my snakes in separate tubs and i have never had a snake refuse a feed because of it nor have any of them ever looked stressed about it. In fact its the opposite. When i put them into their feed box they go straight into feed mode and know exactly what is about to happen. Plus i never get mistaken for food when going to get them out of their enclosure

 

[MC-Boks]

Hi Brad. Don't be surprised if your snake doesn't feed on the first attempt. It can sometimes take young snakes (I'm assuming it's a juvie, yeah) a week or two to settle into a new environment. That's not to say you shouldn't try. The first feed of any new snake can be quite a parental moment.

Cheers
Mick

 

[Snakelove]

I feed all my snakes in separate tubs and i have never had a snake refuse a feed because of it nor have any of them ever looked stressed about it. In fact its the opposite. When i put them into their feed box they go straight into feed mode and know exactly what is about to happen. Plus i never get mistaken for food when going to get them out of their enclosure

I'm sure you can't judge a snake's emotion so we wouldn't know if they're stressed or anything unless they're having some issues. But I'm just assuming here that a snake wouldn't like being moved around when they have a full belly. I know I hate to move when my belly is full haha. Also reduces the chance of getting bit when putting them back into their enclosures (if they're still in feeding mode). who knows mate, each to their own I guess. Was just giving my opinion.

oh and I doubt a snake could tell the difference when it's feeding time or when it's handling time. They just don't bite you coz maybe you don't have a rat smell in the room or something (once again I'm assuming).

 

[Bax155]

I feed all my pets in their enclosures, for snakes I try to feed via a set of tongs, 90% of the time they will take it, on the odd occasion they don't I leave it in the enclosure over night for them to eat when they feel like it, if they don't eat I through rodent out and repeat process the following week.
On lazy days or I'm in a rush I just chuck the rodent in and let em find it themselves!

 

[zuesowns]

Don't handle your python after feed for at least 48 hours as it can cause regurgitation, this is a reason why I do not use a separate feeding box, also when a python has just consumed a meal, they are in a vulnerable state, which is why they will be in defence mode, it will also mean once the python as consumed, there is "rodent scent" in the air and you could get tagged being mistaken for food.

I believe Narchy means to wash your as before you feed so when you are feeding, the python doesn't go for you instead of the prey, once there is rodent scent, anything that moves and is warm is prey to them.

I thaw out my rodents in a plastic bag in hot tap water, once fully thawed and warm through, I offer with tongs.

From my experience, I have 1 that will keep wanting more and will S up at me after he has consumed his prey, looking for more. Another will quickly hide and if I am there, "scatter". Now either one of those scenarios, will cause stress for your python, if they scatter and you pick them up to put in original enclosure, defence. If they are looking for more food, they will mistake you for food as there is rodent scent, it stimulates their feeding response "hunting mode"

In my personal opinion, I only feed them in their enclosures, have never had an issue, handle mine few times a week, without being tagged or mistaken for "feeding time".
I also don't think your python can predict feeding time or handling time, opening the enclosure will not stimulate them and mistake you for food, nor will taking them out (to put in another feeding box), if you keep them well feed, their body language speaks for it's self.

I was picking up a new python from a private breeder, the hatchie rack was right next to the rodents and I asked, why are they aggravated or wanting to strike? He said, look at their body language, they are feed well, why would they? If your python is striking every time your opening, maybe you just got bad luck with your lotto or maybe your feeding the incorrect food item.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[nahla2062]

First Time Snake Owner / First Feed

Hi, i have just purchased my first Snake just over 1 week ago ( shes a Coastal Carpet Python named Nahla and she is 8 months old ) . Last Friday was the first time that i had feed her, i took her out of her enclosure and held her while dangling the fuzzy in front of her with tweezers, she took one look at the fuzzy and went straight for it, once she had coiled around it i placed her in a clik clak and let her swallow it. When she had finished i placed her back in her enclosure and she seemed very happy and contented, I guess they are alot like people, they all have their own personalities and eating habits.

 

[zuesowns]

I wouldn't recommend handling your python whilst feeding, you may of gotten away lucky this time, next time you may not be so lucky. Also you may have rodent scent on you, while your picking up your python to feed it, which could mistake you for food.

When it's larger you won't have a chance to pick up your python and dangle the prey...

Leave it inside it's enclosure (to the python, the enclosure is there "wild environment") orificial of course.

 

[smigga]

Doc didn't take the mouse. She didn't take the fuzzy from the tongs so i left the mouse in the enclosure over night but unfortunately the mouse was still in the enclosure this morning.:cry:

 

[Raf_2202]

Doc didn't take the mouse. She didn't take the fuzzy from the tongs so i left the mouse in the enclosure over night but unfortunately the mouse was still in the enclosure this morning.:cry:

Same story here Brad, tried feeding my MD and it just gave the mouse a couple of strikes and wasnt really keen to eat it. I will try again in a couple of days i guess.

Cheers
Raf

 

[TheReptileCove]

I wouldn't realy call myself a professional but i used to feed mine in a seperate container but as my collection grew it just took too long and was much easier to just feed them in there enclosures because that way you didnt have to wait for one to finish so you could feed the next one. Also it means that you wouldnt have to handle the snake to put it back in it's enclosure. And i deffinately use tongs to feed my snakes!! : D