How to feed new corn snake?!

[craigafrechette]

Originally Posted by Herpin' Man

Here's how I suggest feeding the snake:
- First, as the others have indicated, feed it inside its enclosure
- The rodent should be fully thawed to a temperature of around 90f, more or less. Warmer than room temp, definitely, but not too hot.
- Using a tong or forceps, and without disturbing or moving the snake, jiggle the mouse in front of it to entice a strike. Individual snakes respond to different methods. If the snake doesn't immediately grab the mouse, try touching the mouse to it's neck, pressing it gently against the snakes mouth, etc.
- If the snake does not eat, report back here for advice on more hard core feeding techniques. I doubt that a well started corn snake will give you much trouble, though.
- Don't handle the snake until it is eating regularly and reliably. Disturb it as little as possible.

I agree for the most part. But in my experience touching the snake with the prey usually leads to a refusal. They know it's there. They smell it, if it's warm enough they sense it. No need to put it right in there face.

[Herpin' Man]

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

I agree for the most part. But in my experience touching the snake with the prey usually leads to a refusal. They know it's there. They smell it, if it's warm enough they sense it. No need to put it right in there face.

You might be surprised at how often a touch elicits a strike from a reluctant feeder. I've had little snakes that seemingly ignored the mouse, but when I touch it to their nose, open their mouth and take it. With others, touching the mouse to their neck has been especially effective.
Each snake may respond to a slightly different stimulus, so the keeper sometimes has to try different things in order to get them feeding.