URGENT! Feeding question! Please read!!!

[ErikBush97]

Hello, Sorry for the dramatic title BUT, I've tried to feed my snake crickets and pinkies and she would NOT eat either, and I just recently (today) got her a gold fish (about 2-3 x the size of her head) and I just went to check on her, and what do you know?! she's TRYING to eat it. I have heard it'll take them about 15 minutes to eat the food (NOT SURE IF THAT'S TRUE - IT'S BESIDES THE POINT) Anyways, she's got the "face" of the feeder gold fish in her mouth. and she's been trying to fit the fish in her mouth for about 20 (give or take) minutes. I think it looks to big, but I was hoping someone could answer these questions;
1. Will she try to eat it if it's too big??
2. Will she choke on it???
Thanks for your time!!

[stephanbakir]

Gold fish have no spines, so its unlikely she will choke on it.
What species is this snake?
A few of my snakes have taken an hour to down a meal...
Snakes will try to eat whate they think is food... I had a snake try and eat the door of her cage once when she missed the rat and grabbed the door instead, in your case, I wouldn't worry.

[bcr229]

My garter is pretty smart, if her prey is too big she won't eat it.

Lay off the goldfish in the future, apparently they're not good for snakes.
Do NOT feed Goldfish. A Must read for fish-eating snake keepers! (http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?89242-Do-NOT-feed-Goldfish-A-Must-read-for-fish-eating-snake-keepers!)

Our garter initially ate nightcrawlers (purchased at a bait and tackle shop for $2/dozen), and when she got big enough for pinkies we had to scent the pinkie in the nightcrawler cup before she would eat it. Now she'll practically jump up to snatch f/t pinkies off the feeding tongs.

ETA: My king snake nailed my index finger today after she ate a small mouse, totally my fault as I should have left her alone a while longer in the feed tub before putting her back in her tank, and she was still hunting. Eventually she figured out that she couldn't swallow my finger and so she turned me loose.

[ErikBush97]

Gold fish have no spines, so its unlikely she will choke on it.
What species is this snake?
A few of my snakes have taken an hour to down a meal...
Snakes will try to eat whate they think is food... I had a snake try and eat the door of her cage once when she missed the rat and grabbed the door instead, in your case, I wouldn't worry.

My snake is a North Western Garter. I am pretty much sketched out about everything I do with her because I love her a lot! Don't want her to get hurt or anything

[stephanbakir]

They evolved for years in the wild knowing what to eat and what not to... Its a shame Darwinism rarely applies to humans :p
Your snake is fine,the fact that he's eating now is good, try scenting pinkies with goldfish, or trying worms,

[ErikBush97]

My garter is pretty smart, if her prey is too big she won't eat it.

Lay off the goldfish in the future, apparently they're not good for snakes.
Do NOT feed Goldfish. A Must read for fish-eating snake keepers! (http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?89242-Do-NOT-feed-Goldfish-A-Must-read-for-fish-eating-snake-keepers!)

Our garter initially ate nightcrawlers (purchased at a bait and tackle shop for $2/dozen), and when she got big enough for pinkies we had to scent the pinkie in the nightcrawler cup before she would eat it. Now she'll practically jump up to snatch f/t pinkies off the feeding tongs.

I've tried pinkies, worms, crickets, etc. Do you know any small fish that DON'T have thiamine?

[smy_749]

They evolved for years in the wild knowing what to eat and what not to... Its a shame Darwinism rarely applies to humans :p
Your snake is fine,the fact that he's eating now is good, try scenting pinkies with goldfish, or trying worms,

I'd say it probably still applies. "survival of the fittest" never stated that anyone had to survive / be fit hahaha

[ErikBush97]

They evolved for years in the wild knowing what to eat and what not to... Its a shame Darwinism rarely applies to humans :p
Your snake is fine,the fact that he's eating now is good, try scenting pinkies with goldfish, or trying worms, How would I do that? just... rub the pinkies on some gold fish, or... something? lol

[stephanbakir]

How would I do that? just... rub the pinkies on some gold fish, or... something? lol
Yes
I've tried pinkies, worms, crickets, etc. Do you know any small fish that DON'T have thiamine?

I like using talapia that has been cut into strips and dusted with calcium.
Make sure they aren't preserved with salt

[ErikBush97]

Yes


I like using talapia that has been cut into strips and dusted with calcium.
Make sure they aren't preserved with salt

Awesome! Thank's for all the help!!! :)

[bcr229]

According to the link, guppies are ok.

We would scent the pinkies by locking them into the plastic tub with the nightcrawlers.

I should get a tilapia filet for my own dinner and slice a bit off for our garter, just to see if she'll take it.

[smy_749]

has the original poster tried night crawlers? or has anyone suggested those yet?

[stephanbakir]

I've tried pinkies, worms, crickets, etc. Do you know any small fish that DON'T have thiamine?

has the original poster tried night crawlers? or has anyone suggested those yet?

Looks that way ;)

[smy_749]

Looks that way ;)

woops lol, didnt catch it

[ErikBush97]

woops lol, didnt catch it

Are you asking for your pet or because you were going to suggest it?

[ErikBush97]

she still hasn't eaten the fish... she spit it out

[Starbuck]

completely unrelated to your current issue, but:
remember that your snake may be pregnant. If at some point in the near future she goes off food, and appears totally uninterested in it, she may be getting ready to give birth!

If you are trying F/T pinkies, i would put one in a plastic bag with a goldfish/tilapia and let em 'marinate' for an hour or so in the fridge, then warm the bag in warm water, take the pinkie out and try again.
Alternately, try a guppy?