Retic Feeding Question

[LeoGeckoRetic]

Just a quick question. I feed my retic f/t rats and I usually dangle it over the top of the tank with some clamps. I don't want to be doing this when she is huge and i tried putting it in the corner and letting her find it but i left her in there for about an hour and she didn't take it. Is there anyway to get her to eat this way?

[Bartman]

When feeding large snakes ive seen people use two snake hooks to support the feeder from both ends and they get someone next to them to watch and close the glass sliders quickly. It usually isnt a problem to feed like that.

EDIT: I also just realised you could buy a big pair of gentle giants and use both to hold the feeder better and still keep a big distance.

[LeoGeckoRetic]

Yeah i was thinking about the gental giants too, but i was thinking she might go for the food, miss and get me. But i guess it would work with like you said another person to close the glass for me. Thanks

[Bartman]

If possible you could build a tank that opens from above, this way if she strikies and missed she has nothing to hit but air.

[LeoGeckoRetic]

yeah thats an idea or one that has the glass slide front and also opens from the top.

[repticfreak7]

Stand to the side of the tanks and reach your arms around. You arms can still be hit but I am sure you would rather have that than getting tagged on your chest or face. He is probably not ever going to get you though. I wouldn't be too worried, especially right now. ;)

[galad]

lol and buddy was wondering why teh lists where so huge on the "show me your bites" thread. lol

peace

[LeoGeckoRetic]

I'm not worried about it now but if there was a way i could get her to take it just sitting in the corner now it would be easier and i wouldn't even have to worry about pulling teeth out of my arm

[C.ADAMANTEUS]

I usually fed fresh killed rabbits to the big one i once had, and I stood away and tossed it to him,he sometimes caught it, but never came close to me from overstrike. He just plain bit me LOL
I dont feed in enclosures with large snakes, if they do miss, they hit with force sometimes on the enclosures, and it can damage them.
Rick

[LeoGeckoRetic]

What did you feed them in then

[C.ADAMANTEUS]

I had a spare room at that time, or even the floor of the room they are housed in. just prepare yourself (wash), and take out the snake, then intro the food to it
Rick

[C.ADAMANTEUS]

Afterthought
Give it a while to calm after feeding before you rehouse it.

[LeoGeckoRetic]

Oh ok, did you notice were going back and forth on two threads?

[C.ADAMANTEUS]

Yeah
We wore every one else out. LOL

[LeoGeckoRetic]

must be past there bed time

[dulsiah]

i would suggest that you stop feeding your snake in its enclosure because it will associate anything you put in its tank with food including you.

[KLG]

Originally posted by dulsiah
i would suggest that you stop feeding your snake in its enclosure because it will associate anything you put in its tank with food including you.

That's really not practical with large constrictors. One could also argue that by feeding out of the enclosure, the snake will be conditioned to think it is being fed every time it is removed from the cage, not knowing whether to expect feeding or handling.

All of our retics are fed in their enclosures, from babies up to 20'+ animals. Tongs, some finesse & learning how to read a large, hungry snake go a long way in safely feeding the giants.

Just my $.02

K~

[Gary D.]

Midwest Animal Grabbers!!!! you can even get a good one handed grab on a wet 5+lb rabbit and have the other hand to operate the door. Best thing there is for feeding large boids.

http://www.animal-traps.com/midwestanimalgrabber.gif

Now I don't see where the issue of getting hit accidentally comes from. you simply hold the prey to one side of the snake, then it's striking to your left or right and is never coming towards you or out of the cage, and always with the length of the cage so it can't slam into a wall or the glass. I'm sure I'm not the only person to figure this out ??? And the best way to not get associated with food is to interact with your animal more often than just at feeding time. If it's of poor disposition, try using a hook to touch or move it slightly. So it is familiar with you being in the viscinity, and not so jumpy. Snakes can be conditioned.

Other thoughts:
Try touching our tapping the animal if it may be asleep to avoid startling it if you grab it to take it out. I know I'm snappy if I get startled awake.

Sheilds are great, but I've found a basic hook works just as well. A light tap on the nose gets most snakes I have worked with turning the other way, Retic or ATB they react the same to the same stimuli.

GD

[daiyoukai]

What about creating a drop box in the enclosure? I know after enough "creative" feeding I have got my balls eating off teh tank floor, if I did the same with my retic couldnt I just have a small door on the top of the enclosure where I drop it's food down threw? It would never see me while feeding so it could never make that conection and it would give me the safety of not having to open a door and stick anything in the tank.


Kinda like this RUFF RUFF RUFF draft of an encloser I did in like 5 sec in MS paint. just so you get the idea.

http://img240.exs.cx/img240/9209/zzzzzzzzzzsnakesdropbox1nx.png

[KLG]

Betcha you could sell that on eBay. ;)

K~

[ydnic]

Rolf!

[C.ADAMANTEUS]

Looks like a good idea. At least while hes small.