Non-feeder tips

[VioletS16]

Just thought I'd put this up as I've researched this a ton...\

NOTE: unless specified, I am referring to F/T rodents, NOT live ones. NEVER leave a live rodent unattended, and only feed live if you can start to see the snake losing weight. Some people feed live anyway and while I respect their opinions I disagree with feeding live unless crucial.

• Brain a pinky/fuzzy but cutting off the back of the skull, exposing the blood and brains which smells marvelous to a snake.
• Soak the frozen rodent in tuna juice or chicken broth, to add a stronger scent.
• Leave the rodent in the RUB/Viv/Tank overnight.
• Use feeding tongs (or a gloved hand) to wiggle the F/T rodent around the cage, simulating a live rodent.
• Offer food further days apart: every 10 days as oppose to 7 days, every 7 days instead of 5 days, etc.
• Ask your local pet store for a sample of hampster bedding. Place it in the snake's enclosure.
• Try different coloured mice/rats, as oppose to just the white lab mice/rats.
• Try a pre-killed hamster or gerbil
• Put the snake and the F/T rodent in an opaque brown paper bag and leave it overnight. So far this tactic has ALWAYS worked for me.
• Take the snake for a long car ride, and offer food when you get home.
• Place the snake in an RUB/plastic tub and place your cell phone in with the snake. Put the F/T rodent in the tub too. Put your cell-phone on vibrate. Call your cell phone repeatedly while the box is left in a dark, quiet room. (or even just a quiet room with a cover over the RUB/tub)
• Try a small slice of beef heart
• Offer a chick or a slice of fish instead
• Rub a live lizard onto a dead mouse, scenting the rodent. Things you can also rub onto a dead rodent: frogs, fish, live rodents (very hard to do), etc
• Offer the F/T rodent at night, in the dark, if your snake is nocturnal, and in the daylight if it's diurnal. (For snakes that are active in both day and night, offer at sundown.
• Try buying a live mouse and killing it right before feeding.
• Try a live mouse, supervised.
• And, if all else fails, consult a vet about force feeding. It can be dangerous and do more harm than good, although sometimes it's quite neccessary.

Always inquire about feeding habits before you purchase an animal but sometimes it can't be avoided, such as when feeding your home-bred hatchlings.

Good luck!