Feeding Technique(introducing Prey)

[ReticMan123]

How do you feed your large snakes?

Currently since my 5' retic has 2 hides hes always in one of them...Once he gets larger I will leave him with no hides but for now its annoying since I feed live....(plz no arguments over that) butr I usually give the rat a good whack then let it wabble into the hides hes under and he grabs it and I lift the hide and monitor the feeding...Have no problem,s ever but sometimes the snake goes into like defense mode and I hear him just striking...Im wondering is that ok to do? Should I actually life the hide and dangle the stunned rat in front of him until he takes it? Should I drop the rat iot and wait the patience game until the snake hunts it? I just want input and advice so I know a good way to introduce the prey and stick to it everytime so he doesn't get confused...On a side note he has become so amazing! his color is just amazing shedding like every 25 days clock work... eating well and hes so tame yet very active I am just loving him and really feeling the bond:) thanks guys and more pics soon

Mike

[Hillsberry]

I would dangle the rat in front of the hide and let the snake grab it. I have hides in all my snake tanks and have no problem. I am just suggesting if you can switch to Frozen/thawed, it is so much easier. Plus once your retic gets bigger and you have to start feeding it rabbits, one kick from a rabbit and your snake it dead.

[exwizard]

When you feed live, the best thing to do is supervise their feeding. If after 5 minutes, all it does is strike defensively, it has no interest in eating it. That's when the rat needs to be pulled out, wait until next feeding day and try again at that time. It's striking in this way because it wants to be left alone.

I also feed live and have no plans on changing that and have never had any incidents. I realize this is a personal decision and no one knows what works for your snakes better than you do.

[SSSSnakes]

I have fed both live and F/T and prefer F/T myself. Either way I always get the snake out of the hide and get him moving around before I dangle the prey with a set of tongs in front of him. If they show no interest in the prey and it is F/T I'll lay it down near him and check on him later to see if he ate it. If it is live I take it out of the enclosure and make him wait until the next feeding day. Never leave live prey, stunned or not, in an enclosure with a snake unsupervised. I have seen many chewed up snakes from people doing this.

[ZStone]

one kick from a rabbit and your snake it dead.

Rabbits can kick hard enough to kill a snake of that size?

[SSSSnakes]

Rabbits can kick hard enough to kill a snake of that size?

Yes they can, if they kick in the right area. Just like if a rat bites in the right area it can also kill a snake. It's not likely, but it is possible.

[ReticMan123]

everything possible:) thanks guys Im gonna try just dangling in fron tof the hide enxt time and coax him to come get diner lol thank you

[ReticMan123]

I have good acess to live rabbits when it comes time...rats r much more dangerous and threatening than rabbits because how limber they are

[shaunyboy]

Rabbits can kick hard enough to kill a snake of that size?

imo rabbits habve the potential to harm a snake.....


i've picked up pet rabbits,who have torn lumps out my forearms with their claws,their feet go a hundred miles an hour,all the time scratching you to bits

i suppose any live prey is going to fight to the best of it's ability,when fighting death

i have NO moral issues with feeding live,i just don't see the point in taking a risk with my snakes well being

cheers shaun

[exwizard]

I've been following this thread and I observed a few things. First off, the OP asked for specific advice on how to feed large snakes with live prey. He also asked that this not turn into an argument over live vs. F/t. Yet the very next poster advised him against live. This is why I was prompted to answer his question directly. Then most of the following replies proceeded to beat the f/t drum. This is why people are so hesitant to ask questions to begin with. Just wanted to point this out. This is not the first time this has happened. IMO, People should not be made to feel like they have to defend themselves just because they choose to feed live.

[SSSSnakes]

I've been following this thread and I observed a few things. First off, the OP asked for specific advice on how to feed large snakes with live prey. He also asked that this not turn into an argument over live vs. F/t. Yet the very next poster advised him against live. This is why I was prompted to answer his question directly. Then most of the following replies proceeded to beat the f/t drum. This is why people are so hesitant to ask questions to begin with. Just wanted to point this out. This is not the first time this has happened. IMO, People should not be made to feel like they have to defend themselves just because they choose to feed live.

No one has started an argument of live vs F/T. Some have expressed their opinions on the subject in terms of the safety of the snake. I think it is not out of line for other to show their concern for the snake's safety on a forum that is for sharing information on reptiles. Allowing a live rodent to enter a hide with a snake that is being defensive is not a good idea. I personally and I'm sure many others have seen what a rodent can do to a snake that is not hungry. The others are only showing concern despite what the OP wants to hear. I have and sometimes do feed live, but will remove the rodent if the snake shows no interest in eating it. If the snakes gets defensive I remove the rodent immediately.

[exwizard]

...I have and sometimes do feed live, but will remove the rodent if the snake shows no interest in eating it. If the snakes gets defensive I remove the rodent immediately.
I agree with this and all I said all along is that if you do feed live make sure it's supervised and remove when the snake shows no interest. I'm not trying to start any argument either. I know the prevailing opinion here. When people ask questions, they are concerned about what to do to care for their own snakes. IMO, we need to have an environment where people feel free to ask these questions without fear of condemnation.

[ReticMan123]

Thank you exwizard. I beleieve you are right with your statement. I have come to feed live now over many years of experience and trial and error and I have never had a problem with it. Rats actually scare me the most once there on rabbits im much calmer. Once a large python grabs hold of a rabbit , 95% of the time that rabbit cannot move much at all. And if it does IM there to do something about it. I actually do feel bad for the rabbits but my snakes g2 eat. I have good acess to live rabbits thats pretty much why I feed live and I will slam a rat against the wall but I cannot bring to my heart to do it to a bunny:(. As welll as I find it absolutly unbearable to dethaw frozen prey items so I find live easier./ And although someone may not want to start an arguiment it does. I know all the risks involved and the precausions to take when feeding so I also know the bias between the whole live and frozen prey things as im sure everyone on this forum is aware of too. If anything ever happend top my tic I would blame myself and I feel as long as I do things how they should be done as I have I wil continue to have no problems. He should be off rats within hopefully 6 months anyway. I also want to point out that I just have my one snake. So He consumes all my time and attention. I do not have multiple snakes or even other reptiles , many I feel who have a collection or several snakes it becomes much easier to keep a supply of frozen food. Thanks everyone for the thoughts though hope I did not start anything

[KORBIN5895]

Thank you exwizard. I beleieve you are right with your statement. I have come to feed live now over many years of experience and trial and error and I have never had a problem with it. Rats actually scare me the most once there on rabbits im much calmer. Once a large python grabs hold of a rabbit , 95% of the time that rabbit cannot move much at all. And if it does IM there to do something about it. I actually do feel bad for the rabbits but my snakes g2 eat. I have good acess to live rabbits thats pretty much why I feed live and I will slam a rat against the wall but I cannot bring to my heart to do it to a bunny:(. As welll as I find it absolutly unbearable to dethaw frozen prey items so I find live easier./ And although someone may not want to start an arguiment it does. I know all the risks involved and the precausions to take when feeding so I also know the bias between the whole live and frozen prey things as im sure everyone on this forum is aware of too. If anything ever happend top my tic I would blame myself and I feel as long as I do things how they should be done as I have I wil continue to have no problems. He should be off rats within hopefully 6 months anyway. I also want to point out that I just have my one snake. So He consumes all my time and attention. I do not have multiple snakes or even other reptiles , many I feel who have a collection or several snakes it becomes much easier to keep a supply of frozen food. Thanks everyone for the thoughts though hope I did not start anything

The fact that you allow a live rat into a hide with your snake totally discredits all of the bold statements.

[exwizard]

A simple solution for the OP would be to remove all the "furniture" before feeding this snake, for future reference. See how this can be advised without condemning him?

[KORBIN5895]

Personally I think your answer is a very good idea. It's simple and easily implemented. You are right. Your solution totally proves his lack of experience. If he had years of experience he would have know to do that when feeding live. Thanks for pointing that out Gary.

[shaunyboy]

I've been following this thread and I observed a few things. First off, the OP asked for specific advice on how to feed large snakes with live prey. He also asked that this not turn into an argument over live vs. F/t. Yet the very next poster advised him against live. This is why I was prompted to answer his question directly. Then most of the following replies proceeded to beat the f/t drum. This is why people are so hesitant to ask questions to begin with. Just wanted to point this out. This is not the first time this has happened. IMO, People should not be made to feel like they have to defend themselves just because they choose to feed live.

i honestly cannot see one post in this thread condeming,or being impolite to the op

when i advise people on live feeding,i always state right from the start...

" i have NO moral issues with feeding live ",imo that lets them know,they have NO need to defend feeding live mate

i only ever suggest that FT is a safer way to do things,as a dead prey item cannot bite/scratch a lump out a snake

i was merely pointing out the cons of live feeding...

if people want to live feed,then so be it

cheers shaun

[exwizard]

I wasn't aiming specifically at you Shaun. All I was stating was the OP asked a question about how to feed a large snake with live prey. Instead of simply answering the question, he got deluged with f/t arguments even though he already made up his mind. I know the prevailing opinion on this forum and I'm OK with that. I just have a problem with the aggressiveness in the way people try to change others. To me, its strikes as judgmental.

[ReticMan123]

Thanks again ex wizard... I read on and see people saying " if he had years of experience he wouldn't ask this question" your right next time I wont ask a question because some people have nothing better to do than to bash others. If I had no experience I would not have a beautiful thriving reticulated python who is puppy tame and a joy to have as a pet. Not to mention many I have had in the past and have never had a problem with feeding live. And I do not leave a rat inside a hide with the snake ever. If I dont hear immediate attack the hide is lifted up. Anyways those who have negative things to say please go somewhere else I no longer want you part of my thread. Anyway back to whats important....I fed him just now....What I did is remove aLL HIDES AND furniture from his cage. then introduced the rat its been a half hour sofar and the rat is just sitting there as well as my retic..IM watching tv in his room keeping an eye on him but im hoping he goes after him soon. Id like to do this from now on. Remove all his furniture , then leave him alone for 15 mins let him get ready then introduce the prey. That way he gets the hint that once the hides go away its feeding time. Now whenm I go to handle him I tap him first and immediately pick him up...So thats the difference between the two... I will let everyone know what happens I hope he etas soon I really dont want him to go off feed again hes been doing so well. I think I am stressing him out trying to many different teqniques

[KORBIN5895]

Dollars to donuts says that snakes loses an eye before you can clear your chair.

[Metalserpent]

I have a few years experience with retics. Been advised by some of the top breeders in the US. The best feeding method I have fround is a F/t meal shaken in front of them served warm at about 95 F. Some tics just don't go for dead meals though. Only you know what yours likes. If your choice of live feeding is out of neccesity then do what you need to. Once your tic gets to 12 foot or so the rats will get expensive at 7-8 rats per meal. A good friend has an 18 footer that must have live food. From what I have seen the live rabbit gets hit so hard and fast that there is not time for any defense on the rabbit's part. As for furniture. I don't put anything in the cage but food, a water bowl, and newspaper. But that's your choice. Furniture just gets crapped and pissed on. Retics are creatures of habit and are smarter than most other species. Some folks will tell you to put the snake in another container to feed. Try that with a big retic in food mode. You will bleed.

[exwizard]

Makes sense to me on all counts!

[Little Wise Owl]

Rabbits can kick hard enough to kill a snake of that size?

Rabbits can kick hard enough to break their own backs... Not to mention they have insanely sharp claws.

[ReticMan123]

" try that with a big snake in feed mode, you will BLEED' Lmao I love that comment. Well since my retic is a young one I like to provide him with hides at least until they hit the 1 year mark.