help!!!!!!

[Turtlelover]

Hi all, i just got a new snake yesterday, a spotted python, and i tried to feed it but it did not strike, therefore i tried to assist it using a hemostat, but after trying, the mouth seemed to be misplaced or broken.. anyhelp??????

thank you all that may help me.

[sapphire_moon]

Why would you stress the snake out by trying to force feed it? Let it be alone for about a week after you get it so it can acclimate. If you do try to feed it on the first night and it don't strike then LEAVE IT ALONE. ASSIT FEED IS A LAST RESORT!!!! It's I don't have a spotted python by seeing python......I guess it's kind of like a BP....it's jaws are flexable and can "pop" out of place....if it's jaw is not realigned within a day take it to the vet and take it as a lesson learned.
1.) If you try to feed the first night and it don't strike then leave it alone.......or
2.) Leave it alone completely for about 1-3 weeks before even attempting to feed it, only reaching in there to clean the water/enlcosure if needed.
3.) put it in a low traffic area and make sure the temps/humidity is right.

If I forgot something I'm sure someone will cover it. And again
Assist feed is an absolute LAST RESORT, and if you should have to do this, then have an expierenced person show you how to do it the first few times, be it a veternarian *sp??* or an expierienced herper.

[lordkovacs]

i agree... stay away from that completely and do some reading! Just leave it there for at least a week, don't even pick it up or anything.

[jaybox_reptiles]

i had a snake got 8 months without eating before he ate for the first time never ever stress a snake with forse feeding unless absoluly nessasary

[Wildkingdom]

I had that same problem with a snake not eating for 8 months. It's normal for snakes. Just leave it until it decides it's ready.

Tammy

[HetForHuman]

Originally posted by Turtlelover
Hi all, i just got a new snake yesterday, a spotted python, and i tried to feed it but it did not strike, therefore i tried to assist it using a hemostat, but after trying, the mouth seemed to be misplaced or broken.. anyhelp??????

thank you all that may help me.

My God Man, you give it one day and it wont eat so you try to force feed the poor thing?

Do you have any idea about snakes? or anything on how to care for them?

snakes go for months with out food, 1 day is not going to hurt him.

i think you should sell or give the snake away and maybe try to do some research first.

This just makes me mad.

[sapphire_moon]

I know hetforhuman, but he has it, and will probably keep it........Turtlelover: You should definitly find a lot of caresheets or go buy a book.......Get a digi thermometer, hygromometer, or as hetforhuman suggested. Sell it or give it away.........

[Lisa]

I can understand being some what conserned when your snake doesn't eat, specially your first snake. Not all snakes strike, I have a boa that never strikes, i just leave it it's food and carry on. try just leaving the (dead) food over night with the snake, but i'd give it a couple days before trying this, you've probably freaked out your snake by assist feeding it. Is the mouth still hanging wrong? If so then take it to a vet, you may have broken it's jaw.

[tai_pan1]

I'm speechless. If you found this sight, I'm sure you can find info and care sheets on your python. Take your time and figure out what your doing BEFORE you damage or hurt your snake any further.

[sapphire_moon]

I would like to know if it's jaw is still hanging wrong?

[Neo]

whats a hemostat?

[sapphire_moon]

Like tongs.......but more expensive.

[chas*e]

Buy a book on snakes, enjoy the pictures- learn what you need, then buy a snake......

[JeffT]

Turtlelover-

That was deffinately NOT a smart move. Force feeding after just ONE missed feeding? The snake did not eat because it was stressed to be in a new place. I had a Ball Python not eat for 4 and a half months and eventually he just started eating, now he eats lots on his own. It is very normal for a snake not to eat. Just because a snake doesnt strike its food doesnt mean there is something wrong with it!!! Whats wrong with it just eating the food off the tray/container???

Jeffro

[Linds]

In addition to what everyone else has already said...

If you at some point ever need to assist feed or force feed, you do not use tongs. Please have someone, as sapphire_moon mentioned, get someone to show you the proper way to do it. How is your snake jaw right now? Hopefully nothing is broken and it just needs to realign itself. Is it possible to get any pics?

[TheRedDragon]

When Invictus and I first brought home our male BCI, he didn't feed, he actually shied away from the prey, but, after we let him settle in for about a week or so, he started feeding like a champ. And, as everyone else has already said, do not force feed unless it's a last resort IE: The snake has refused prey to the point where it's on the brink of starvation. The force feeding can only stress them out more and there's a higher chance that the snake with regurge the prey. It sounds like your snake only unhinged its jaw, which sounds normal, but, if its jaw is still looking misplaced, you should take it to a vet. Good luck with your snake.

[sapphire_moon]

I still want to know if the jaw is hanging funny........which this person won't answer.

[Turtlelover]

yup.. the snake is fine now, but i'll leave it alone for a bit befor ei try to offer food again.. thanks to all

[sapphire_moon]

try reading some care sheets online and such..........get a book or something....glad to hear it's ok! :)