jungle python help please :)

[Elapidae1]

was the food item warm enough it could have been rejected if it was still cold in the middle

 

[Sabrinnadancer]

Hi,

I don't use a hook with mine. From word go I used my hands, so they're used to me. I have separate feeding containers for them and these are sterilized after every feeding. They know that food never enters their living environment. I've found that they only get into 'predator mode' when in their feeding tanks so it's always safe to put my hands in their home and change the water, clean up a bit, get them out for a bit of handling time, take them outside...

I have one little girl who has to have her 'prey' (dead mouse, rat or bird) moving, so I play a game with her. I hold the food in tongs and wiggle it on the ground in front of her and she strikes. If she drops it, we start the game again. I also try to make sure the prey is warm for her by soaking it in tepid/warm water.

I have 5 pythons and every one of them has their own way of being. Over time their feeding habits have changed too. Some strike, some like to gently bite, some like to wait and watch, some squeeze and sniff for a long time before eating and some chomp it down fairly fast.

I'd say, take the odd note, like what date it is, what time it is, how big the food is, and any behavior of interest. Have a look at the last 8-10 feeds and you may see a pattern which will show you likes and dislikes. Like, one of mine (when he was a baby) used to squeeze so hard he'd get blood and guts all over himself so I'd bathe him. Now, he doesn't squeeze too hard but he'll stay in predator mode until I drip warm water on him. As far as he's concerned, dinner is over when he's having his bath. It's kind of cute They all have their own unique personalities and discovering that is great fun.

 

[Addam]

my coastal has never once bitten or even tried too, he loves attention, my cape york was bitey when i first got him but a handling 4-5 times a week now hes a puppy dog too. my jungle on the other hand is a nut job, has been since day dot. But he is slowly getting better, just sometimes you have to understand not all snakes will settle down, but there is no harm in trying. I know im not the most experienced keeper in the world, but i find using my hands is 1. easier and 2. creates more of an understanding with the snake that you dont mean it any harm (this can take time). ive been tagged a heap of times from my jungle but it dosent hurt in the slightest, and he is slowly making progress for the better.

So honestly i say just try handling him, and up his food size or up quantity fed during feed time and you might see some change

Hope this helped,

Cheers, Addam

 

[python_dan89]

hey how ya going with your jungle?

cheers