BRB feeding question

[Snakewitch]

Six weeks ago when i brought home my Brazilian Rainbow boa and fed her for the first time, i was spooked. I'm used to feeding my corn snake which is steady with no surprises and was not remotely prepared that Calissi would strike and roll when I held her in front of the pinky. Dumb, yes I know this now.

Since then, I learned that Calissi prefers to hold on to me when she ready to eat and she is a voracious striker .... And I'm still a bit spooked despite successful
weekly feedings. Tonight's feeding was different and it was the first time she did not eat. I also tried another pinky to no avail.

I've read enough postings here to know that it may be nothing to worry about yet. Her viv temps are in the normal ranges but i think she is close to shedding so my questions are this:
1. Could my behaviour be impacting her feeding?
2. What is the proper way to feed her? I tried leaving her in the feeding box with the pinky but she didn't touch it until I picked her up, reheated the pinky and held her while she strikes. Ugggg.

Your advise is appreciated. I'll try again tomorrow but honestly, I'm concerned it might be me.

[rmfsnakes32]

I would wait a week and try again to frequent feedings sessions will stress the snake out. Most likely is going into shed and its very common for them to refuse food during this time

[lady_bug87]

Leave her in her regular enclosure heat the pink up, leave it in the tank on a plate and walk away..

This worked for my stubborn eaters and offer food no more frequent then once a week what is your set up like?

[KORBIN5895]

You hold her while dangling food in front of her? This seems like a really bad idea. A really Really bad idea.

I recommend leaving the snake in its enclosure and just dropping the prey in. You can dangle it if you want but that gets old when your collection grows.

[millertime89]

You hold her while dangling food in front of her? This seems like a really bad idea. A really Really bad idea.

I recommend leaving the snake in its enclosure and just dropping the prey in. You can dangle it if you want but that gets old when your collection grows.

This, get a pair of tongs to hold the food in front of her as well so you don't get bit. Snakes don't always get a perfect shot and you might end up with an hungry snake holding onto your finger/hand while trying to kill it. I'm a little surprised you haven't been bit yet from just getting the snake out while the smell of food is in the room.

[Snakewitch]

Thanks for the advice. i was really lucky that i wasn't bitten the first time. Just to clarify, I don't dangle the food I front of her, but she prefers to coil around my arm and I move her to the pinky in the feeding box, then she strikes while still hanging on my arm. Not the best approach, I agree. I'll feed her next week with tongs and put her in the box - fingers crossed, she'll be hungry and this works!

[Gungirl]

Don't put her in the box.. offer the prey in her cage. No reason to stress her out by moving her into a box.

[Snakesitter]

You will know if she is entering shed by the color of her skin (duller than normal) and belly (it usually gets a pink tint).

If you feel you should use a dedicated feed box, put her in there first, before you introduce the prey. That way she'll be calmer, and easier to detach from your wrist. ;-)

I agree though feeding in her regular enclosure is better.

Either way, offer once a week, well-heated, preferably at dusk and dangled/danced using tongs.

Good luck!

[Snakewitch]

Why is it better to feed her in her enclosure. Is it her species? I read its a no no because the snake might injest the substrate but that was research I did for corns; I assumed it was the same for brb's.

Oh yes, quick update - Calissi shed last night. All in one piece so at least I have the temps/humidity right!

[Lankyrob]

I feed every snake i own in their vivs, much easier, much safer (not having to move a snake when thery are in feed moded) and much quicker. :)

[Gungirl]

Feeding in the viv causes less stress to the animal. Less stress means that the animal will be more likely to eat and less likely to regurge. If you are worried about the snake eating the substraight you can place a plate or paper towel in the feeding area of the viv just prior to giving the snake its prey. If you house your snake with proper temps it eating a little substraight will not harm the animal.

[Snakewitch]

Ok, makes sense, I'll give it a try, thanks.

[KORBIN5895]

What is your substrate? I have female boa that is blind and I have watched her eat mouth full of plantation soil without a problem.

[Snakewitch]

The substrates are Fir bark for the BRB and aspen for the corn; is plantation soil better for the boa?

[KORBIN5895]

I prefer coco husk mixed with plantation soil myself. There are no sharp splinters in either of them. They also hold the humidity very well and it doesn't mold.

[Snakewitch]

Sounds like your option is a better solution. The pet store recommended the fir bark but I'm going to switch it out. Maybe she would be inclined to hang out more than a nano second:)

[Snakesitter]

There are may good options for substrate. Korbin's is a solid one. Just be aware that the soil tends to get everywhere if you're not careful. As for feeding on substrate...as someone else pointed out, a plate or towel can do the trick. Good luck!

[Snakewitch]

Hmmm ... Week 2, still not eating. I've read that sometimes BRB's will stop eating up to two weeks after a shed (which was last week). Waiting until next Wednesday to feed her :(

[Lankyrob]

Hmmm ... Week 2, still not eating. I've read that sometimes BRB's will stop eating up to two weeks after a shed (which was last week). Waiting until next Wednesday to feed her :(

As long as the husbandry is correct and the snake isnt drastically losing condition there is nothing to be comcerned about, my GTP last fed late september, probably wont eat til the new year sometime now :)

[Snakewitch]

Even for a young one? She's 4-5 months old I think.

[Lankyrob]

Yep, still not a concern unless the condition of the snake deteriorates :)

[Snakesitter]

I agree there is no concern at two weeks, but wanted to correct the shed info: it is not uncommon for a rainbow to refuse during shed. I've never heard anyone say after. That said, as noted, two weeks is no cause for concern, nor would be three or four...just keep an eye on her weight and condition.

[Snakewitch]

Ok, I'll keep a close eye on her and invest in a kitchen scale! Thanks for trying to calm my concerns - it helps to talk to those who know what they are doing. :)

[Snakesitter]

Fingers crossed for her eating for you soon!

[Snakewitch]

Thanks Cliff. A couple more days until her feeding....

[SnakeyJay]

I use orchid bark mixed with a lot of spagmum moss for substrate, this holds humidity really well.. Each has their own way with feeding but I found my brb refused food If she didn't feel safe in a feed box and getting her back in the viv was always a handful...

I tend to strike feed her from tongues these days and she hits the rat like a train. I've got to say good luck with holding her while feeding as she gets bigger ;D
If I even defrost a rat near mine she will not let you handle her and is straight into feed mode.

[Lankyrob]

I use orchid bark mixed with a lot of spagmum moss for substrate, this holds humidity really well.. Each has their own way with feeding but I found my brb refused food If she didn't feel safe in a feed box and getting her back in the viv was always a handful...

I tend to strike feed her from tongues these days and she hits the rat like a train. I've got to say good luck with holding her while feeding as she gets bigger ;D
If I even defrost a rat near mine she will not let you handle her and is straight into feed mode.

Wow, you feed from your tongue??? :laugh::p:laugh::shocked::laugh::p:D

[SnakeyJay]

Wow, you feed from your tongue??? :laugh::p:laugh::shocked::laugh::p:D

Lol tongs/tweezers... :)

[Snakewitch]

Aren't you afraid the snake will hurt themselves with tongs or tweezers? What if she strikes and chomps at the tongs accidentally .... The last thing I want to see are broken teeth if you can indeed see the teeth. I know it sounds funny but as a newbie you have to give me credit for asking - no judging :)

[KORBIN5895]

Aren't you afraid the snake will hurt themselves with tongs or tweezers? What if she strikes and chomps at the tongs accidentally .... The last thing I want to see are broken teeth if you can indeed see the teeth. I know it sounds funny but as a newbie you have to give me credit for asking - no judging :)

You are bang on. That's why I just drop it in.

[Snakewitch]

Hey Korbin - I used your example of substrate and switched to a mix of plantation and coco husk. I can't believe how much the humidity shot up to (90 degrees) and its staying at that level. I haven't misted since! Amazing - thanks for the tip!

[KORBIN5895]

Hey Korbin - I used your example of substrate and switched to a mix of plantation and coco husk. I can't believe how much the humidity shot up to (90 degrees) and its staying at that level. I haven't misted since! Amazing - thanks for the tip!

Lol. No worries. That's how I get away with using a glass terrarium;)

[millertime89]

I tong feed, they've bitten the tongs several times and never lost any teeth that I've seen. Snakes lose teeth throughout their lives unlike us so I'm not too concerned if they do lose a few here and there.

[Snakesitter]

I agree with Kyle. Every now and then a snake either bites the tongs or grabs and coils them, but never seems the worse for the wear. Unlike, say, a hand, which tends to leak red fluid in those cases.... ;-)

Tongs also also you to make the meal "dance," as well as safely retrieve objects from a viv.

[Snakewitch]

SUCCESS - Calissi wolfed down her meal after I wiggled it in front of her. I couldn't find a pair of tongs I liked so I improvised and used a "pickle pincher" instead - worked just fine. Phew! :)

[Lankyrob]

Congrats :) :)

[Snakesitter]

Woot great to hear -- happy holidays!

[Snakewitch]

Thanks for the support - happy holidays!

[Snakesitter]

To you, too!

[Gluttony]

I use coconut husk along with orchid bark as a substrate for my boas and it looks great and holds humidity.
As for feeding in or out....its really up to you and what works best for you.
I find that taking them out and feeding them in another enclosure to prove beneficial. It encourages handling of the said animal, there is no substrate involved, & it gives you a chance to thoroughly clean out its enclosure while it eats, etc. If you tong feed and hold the prey by the tail, you would not have to worry about the snakes teeth.