View Full Version : My first feed
OSMDEATHOWNER
01-27-12, 09:14 AM
Ok so I'm jus wondering when I do feed ma girl (still no name) I'm going to feed her in a card board box but then how long do I have to waitto put her back in her tank. Until she swallows the rat fully?
OSMDEATHOWNER
01-27-12, 09:16 AM
I've had her for 5 days now but I wasn't planning on feeding her yet, jus asking so I know now. She hasn't ate for bout 10 days and she's bout 3years old, 3feet long. Wanted to feed her maybe Sunday jus to try to change her over to f/t. Wanted to feed her outside her tank because people say if you feed her in the tank you may get bit one day and she's never been fed in her tank. I thank everyone dat respond ed and lemme know Wat chu all think bout dis. jus wanna make sure I'm learning as much as I can
I read your other thread, dont worry about it being in the wrong place, the forum can be a bit confusing when you first arrive lol.
I would say that the info you got on the other thread still applies here though, feed her in her tank then dont disturb her for at least 48 hrs.
Cheers
youngster
01-27-12, 09:50 AM
You don't need to rush to feed her, feed her when you are comfortable and when she looks settled in. I think Sunday is good.
Also, that thing about being tagged because you feed in the enclosure is somewhat myth.
I feed all my snakes in their tanks where they are most comfortable and I've never been tagged. Just make sure you wash your hands so they don't smeell like meat or feeders before you attempt to handle.
alessia55
01-27-12, 09:57 AM
About WHERE to feed....
I feed my snake Kaybe OUT of his cage because he has a strong feeding response when I put him in his feeding container and he's more likely to eat for me there out of routine.
I feed my snake Pika wherever I feel like it (sometimes in the cage, sometimes out of it if I want to get photos/if the rat is too wet I don't want the substrate to stick to it). He doesn't seem to care each way.
Regardless of whether you decided to feed in or outside her cage, you should wait 7-10 days after she's arrived to try. Don't hurry into it, either. If she doesn't look settled in and comfortable yet, it can wait.
Since you're trying to switch her over to f/t, make sure the rat is nice and smelly. Use tongs to hold the thawed rat by it's "scruff" (the back of the neck) and make it "dance" around the cage as if it were alive. This might help entice her feeding response. If she seems uninterested, you can leave the thawed rat by the entrance of her hide and leave her alone for the night. She might decide to eat it on her own terms later that night. Check the next morning. If it's still there, remove it immediately.
Important: If she refuses to eat, don't panic! It's ok, it's normal, nothing's wrong. She might need more time to adjust to her new environment. Don't think "oh I should feed her a live rat just so she eats!" because it might just take a few tries and she'll give in and eat f/t for you. Have patience :) If she refuses to eat, wait another 7-10 days before offering food again (offering food any more often than that can stress her out even more). Good luck!
OSMDEATHOWNER
01-27-12, 10:29 AM
Thanks everyone and Alessia, your the nicest person I ever met lol ;) thanks, I really appreciate us help from day 1
OSMDEATHOWNER
01-27-12, 10:30 AM
Your help I meant
theapexgerman
01-27-12, 10:31 AM
You don't need to rush to feed her, feed her when you are comfortable and when she looks settled in. I think Sunday is good.
Also, that thing about being tagged because you feed in the enclosure is somewhat myth.
I feed all my snakes in their tanks where they are most comfortable and I've never been tagged. Just make sure you wash your hands so they don't smeell like meat or feeders before you attempt to handle.
best advice always wash your hand's nothing like a little mouse smell to make a snake wanna tag you
OSMDEATHOWNER
01-27-12, 11:02 AM
best advice always wash your hand's nothing like a little mouse smell to make a snake wanna tag you
Thanks, will do
alessia55
01-27-12, 11:03 AM
Thanks everyone and Alessia, your the nicest person I ever met lol ;) thanks, I really appreciate us help from day 1
You are most welcome :) Happy to help
KORBIN5895
01-27-12, 11:17 AM
No worries. Anytime.
mattchibi
01-27-12, 02:09 PM
Feed in the tank, cage agression is a myth. I feed all of my snakes in their tanks or tubs, and its hard enough getting them all to eat, let alone stressing them out by moving them out of their comfort zone. Good luck and like others have said, wait 7-10 days before feedings. If you want him to eat f/t, keep trying and dont give up. You can buy a digital food scale from any department store so you can keep track of his weight every single week and make sure he isnt losing substantial weight, especially if he isnt eating for you.
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