Feeding pix

[dfr]

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/Dscf0034.jpg
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/Dscf0035.jpg
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/Dscf0036.jpg

` The old Ball likes to have his second all ready. lol
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/Dscf0029.jpg
`
` Looking for leftovers.
`
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/1-3-4-1052390371.jpg

[Jordan B]

Hi dfr,
Nice pics. But, you probably don't want to feed your snake by hand, it would be wise to invest in some hemostats. Also, the top snake is about to shed, and when they're in the blue you shouldn't bother him/her or feed untill after the shed. Nice snakes and pics though!

Jordan

[dfr]

` I have other Anacondas who are fed with tongs, and a careful toss! They have quite a wide range of behavior, though.
` Here's a pic of a BIG girl who gets fed with tongs, and a great deal of care ! Hemostats are too short for her LOL !
`
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/Dscf0454.jpg
`
` This huge male, however, has hand fed since his first meal. I feel pretty confident with him, after five years of feeding him. Still, you are right, it could be dangerous. That's why precautions are always in place. I would never attempt to feed any large constrictor this way, unless I had such a track record with it.
`
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/Zoo_p_Wheezer_lazy_snake_compressed.jpg
`
` As far as feeding during shed, why would you deny them food when they want it at that time? I sure don't force them, and I have many Boids who will not eat, during shed. This big guy, however, gets worked up and interested during the several hours it takes to thaw their food, as he can smell it thawing. I would be interested to know why I shouldn't feed him.
` Thanks for your comments, I appreciate them.

[foman]

I have fed my snakes while in shed and have never come across any any probs. If they don't want it they won't take it.

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Same as above^, and thanks for sharing!

C.

[joebagadohnut]

yeah dogg.,

If your snake is in shed, and he still wants to eat, there is no big deal.
My corn only refused to eat once. Other than that, I find feeding my guy right before a shed makes him shed faster because it makes him more active.

[Phrasty]

heres my little guy, switiching him over to rat fuzzies now, he doesnt go after them like he does the mice ,i have to let him strike at the fuzzy mouse first then as hes just about downed the mouse I put the rat fuzzy right behind the mouse and he just keeps going. hopefully soon he'll start striking at the rats.


http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/5627snakefeeding2.jpg

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/5627snakefeeding4.jpg

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/5627snakefeeding7.jpg

[dfr]

` I've had that experience with lots of Balls, and many other Boids. They definitely tend to get stuck on a food item. I once bought a bunch of frozen hamsters. Some of my snakes got stuck on those, and I had a Hell of a time getting them back to rats. The worst thing about feeding the hamsters was they have no tail to hold onto. LOL

[Samba]

Well, I think it's cool that you trust your snake, and feel you know him well enough, to fed by hand. It is risky, though, but from the photos it looks incredible. Do what works, even if it is unconventional... =)

P.S. I would also like to add, for any newcomers looking through this thread, that hand-feeding a snake like this (or any snake for that matter) is usually done by holding the prey item with tongs or hemistats). This feeding technique is unique and should not be attempted by anyone else, especially one who lacks a great deal of experience. =)

[dfr]

` I do not trust any animal, including humans! I sure don't advise anyone to do so! I believe that would be inappropriate, considering that a 10 foot constrictor could kill me. Trust is usually a way for you to fool yourself into getting screwed, to be blunt.
` I do feel that I know his general reactions in a controlled situation well enough to take a chance, after more than five years of hand feeding him.
` Precautions are in place. There is a tub of water/vinegar for me to dip my hand in. This mixture cuts the food smell on my hand. I feed dripping wet rodents, so I watch very carefully where the drips go. Also, there are two spray bottles of isopropyl alcohol ready. I've never seen any snake able to ignore an alcohol spray.
` I only feed by hand, using no hemostats, when I have lots of time. If I'm hurried, I take no chances. The scent of food on your skin or clothes can get you into big trouble.
` My pictures are definitely not posted to encourage anyone to imitate them. I just like to see, and show, what certain individuals of these animals are capable of.
` As far as feeding any snake this way: I start experimenting with them as babies. They can chew on you, but are not dangerous, at that size. I've found that some aggressive babies will get over their aggression if allowed to express it on your hand, for a few months.
` In my experience, I've found that Boids have individual behavior. If you don't know them well, they may seem all the same, but it's just not true. If you start with neonates, you can find individuals who will actually wait while you feed others in their presence, then take their food when given to them. If you try it with the wrong snake, you'll have injured or dead snakes. So, I'm definitely not recommending this practice, period.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/Dscf0032.jpg

[hooter]

Arnt you the guy from Bob Clarks forums that keeps a Boa, Ball python, and yellow anaconda in the same cage?

Thread can be found here:

http://www.bobclark.com/bcforums/topic.asp?whichpage=1&Forum_Title=Picture+Forum&Topic_Title=Dinner+time&CAT_ID=1&FORUM_ID=11&TOPIC_ID=15325

[Siretsap]

Originally posted by hooter
Arnt you the guy from Bob Clarks forums that keeps a Boa, Ball python, and yellow anaconda in the same cage?


Even if he is, what is the problem here. Just because you do not keep your reptiles in that manner doesn't mean anything. He has been successful in keeping his reptiles like this for many years.

His specimens have been in his possession for many years, so spare me the floral bacteria theory. Most of the times all the items that arrive at importers warehouses are all put in tanks that aren't cleaned from the previous species that was in it. Also, as soon as you keep 2 different species in the same room, the "floral bacteria" will spread from one species to the other by air, by us...

I will not judge this person by the way he keeps his specimens, if I can clearly see they are in good health. And from those pics, they are.


Plus, he was showing pics of feeding, so why did you have to come in with a thread from an other webcite about a different sudject?


ps, very nice pics, I can't feed my cornsnakes by hand, they are too crazy in feeding mode, but I do have a female jcp I have to hold the rat with thongs for her to eat, she is soo calm, just eats it very slowly... funny

[Samba]

Siretsap - Geez, don't go off on Hooter, that person was just asking a question! LOL You guys get too silly here sometimes...

[dfr]

` That's the truth. Lots of folks out there working up to a heart attack. Lighten up, you'll live longer. LOL

` Take it as easy as these critters do.
`
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/4-1-5-1064273323.jpg

[hooter]

Siretsap,

Maybe you should read the thread I posted before you judge what I state on these forums. His anaconda or redtail boa ate his ball python so is that considered good care?

~ Hooter

[dfr]

` Hey, you've got your fact mixed up. On the forum you're referring to, it was someone else who posted, with pix of the eaten, then regurgitated Ball Python, about that unfortunate situation.
` None of my critters have been harmed, in ANY way.

` You really ought to get your facts straight. You're proving yourself to be a very unreliable source of information. That's putting it in a civil manner, but you know what I mean.

` The old Ball is fine. He is a lazy glutton, though.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/Dscf0029.jpg
`
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/Dscf0453.jpg

[ZMonte85]

Those are amazing Anacondas you have dfr! Very nice pictures.

[concept3]

is it just me or does that ball look huge? How big is your python dfr?

[dfr]

` The old Ball is a tub allright, but only about 5 feet long. He seems to associate the camera with food. When he sees it, he usually comes to investigate.
`
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/1-3-2-1052388877.jpg

[daver676]

Holy! That is a great pic of the bp!! Is it striking at something? Damn! That climbing aparatus is a great idea as well. I've been wanting to build a mini version for my ball.

I gotta say, I saw the pic of you hand feeding the 'conda with that boa just a few inches away. Your a brave soul. Post some more pics. They are great!

[dfr]

` The old Ball is yawning. I woke him up, taking pix of him sleeping on the Anacondas.
` I'm not really that brave. I've had those snakes since they were born. They don't have strong feeding responses. That's one reason I'm able to keep them together. I have many other adult Boids who I'd never try that with.
`
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/Dscf0521.jpg
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/Dscf0192.jpg
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/Dscf1410.jpg

[daver676]

Could you post a pick of the entire enclosure you keep them in?

[dfr]

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` http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/Dscf0532.jpg

[Princesssss]

Well your snakes look to be in good condition.....some people may not agree with all your methods of keeping them...but in the end they are yours and its up to you how you want to keep them and what works for you. Its unfortunate that one of your snakes ate your ball..I personally dont think that i would want to risk that happening..so i wouldnt be able to keep them all together that way....but good luck with the rest

[Ptindy]

Originally posted by dfr
[B]` Hey, you've got your fact mixed up. On the forum you're referring to, it was someone else who posted, with pix of the eaten, then regurgitated Ball Python, about that unfortunate situation.
` None of my critters have been harmed, in ANY way.



He still has his ball.

[dfr]

` Someone else, on a different forum, posted a picture of a Ball Python which was killed, eaten, and regurgitated by a Boa constrictor.
` I am guessing that the two snakes were put together without adequate determination of their behavior and feeding responses.
` I have only 5 Boids, so far, who thrive in a community. I have many others who I wouldn't dare put together.
`
` Again, my Ball Python has NOT been eaten. Here's a very recent picture of him eating, and holding on to his second course. LOL

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/Dscf0029.jpg
`

`http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/4-3-1-1065264498.jpg

[hooter]

Umm,

How was that a recent picture when it was the same pic you posted in the first post of this thread which was 08-27-04 06:57 AM?

[dfr]

` You really want to believe my poor old Ball Python is dead, don't you? LOL
` I've had him so many years, that an August picture seems recent to me.
` Anyway, he is very much alive. Here is a picture I took 10 minutes ago. He's in his normal position, sleeping in a pile of Boids.
` As a matter of fact, all of the snakes in the picture are alive.
`http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/dfr49/Dscf0565.jpg

[D J N]

All I gotta say is that for me it's not worth the risk.

[hooter]

dfr,

How does me stating that your picture is not recent have to do with me believing your ball python is dead? I was just pointing out the obvious that the picture you claimed was recent was from a long time ago...

And no I dont agree with your husbandry and nothing will make me think differently either. The way you keep and house your snakes is very poor in my eyes and if I could I would change everything about how you care for them.

These snakes come from all diferent parts of the world and so why are they all in one cage?. The onlything you can say to that is the heating and humidity requirments are the same and that they get along well. WELL WHO CARES, snakes dont live together in the wild and forcing them to in captivity is wrong even if the conditions are right. Go ahead and qoute me or throw me a comeback but I stand firm with what i believe and I feel sorry for your animals.