Feeding f/t techniques

Marica · 01-27-11, 02:05 PM

I have read of several instances where a breeder was unable to get a hatchling corn snake to take their first meal for several months that was eventually successful. There are tons of methods that people have tried when switching to f/t or even just getting a finicking eater feeding from fresh kill, slitting/cutting f/t, scenting with various live or dead prey, scenting with canned tuna or salmon (I found a post from a hognose breeder that has had success with rubbing f/t prey on canned salmon that they froze), dethawing in a plastic bag placed in hot water so it doesn't get wet or heating up a dethawed item with a hairdryer (one of my Dums doesn't like wet rat so we do both previous), washing dethawed prey with soap, etc. It can be a difficult process, but thousands if not millions of snakes have been switched to f/t and I've read multiple times "that you're not unsuccessful in switching, you just haven't tried hard enough."

One of my little corn snakes had several refusals and a couple regurges last year and went without a meal for several weeks at some points. After a regurge and/or refusal we'd offer a pinky mouse head cut off with scissors after thawing for 5-10 minutes in hot water, or a head and body separated, or pinky mouse with a slit behind the neck. We never tried to feed more often than once weekly and always placed the snake in a tupperware container with the lid sealed and left in the dark for at least half an hour. We also had difficulties getting our 2 baby Dumeril's boas to take their first meals with us, both taking about 4-5 weeks. One always refused his meals when we placed him in a feeding tub, but will take f/t in his viv know if dangled with tongs. The other will now eat in a tub lined with paper towel, but also requires us to dangle the food in his face. My first corn was eating live when I got him and I've heard that the breeder of one of my Dums usually feeds his snakes live. All of my snakes are now eating f/t regularly, minus a few that refuse when in shed. For me it is cheaper, easier, and I feel it's safer for my animals.

derekcm87 · 01-27-11, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marica

I have read of several instances where a breeder was unable to get a hatchling corn snake to take their first meal for several months that was eventually successful. There are tons of methods that people have tried when switching to f/t or even just getting a finicking eater feeding from fresh kill, slitting/cutting f/t, scenting with various live or dead prey, scenting with canned tuna or salmon (I found a post from a hognose breeder that has had success with rubbing f/t prey on canned salmon that they froze), dethawing in a plastic bag placed in hot water so it doesn't get wet or heating up a dethawed item with a hairdryer (one of my Dums doesn't like wet rat so we do both previous), washing dethawed prey with soap, etc. It can be a difficult process, but thousands if not millions of snakes have been switched to f/t and I've read multiple times "that you're not unsuccessful in switching, you just haven't tried hard enough."

One of my little corn snakes had several refusals and a couple regurges last year and went without a meal for several weeks at some points. After a regurge and/or refusal we'd offer a pinky mouse head cut off with scissors after thawing for 5-10 minutes in hot water, or a head and body separated, or pinky mouse with a slit behind the neck. We never tried to feed more often than once weekly and always placed the snake in a tupperware container with the lid sealed and left in the dark for at least half an hour. We also had difficulties getting our 2 baby Dumeril's boas to take their first meals with us, both taking about 4-5 weeks. One always refused his meals when we placed him in a feeding tub, but will take f/t in his viv know if dangled with tongs. The other will now eat in a tub lined with paper towel, but also requires us to dangle the food in his face. My first corn was eating live when I got him and I've heard that the breeder of one of my Dums usually feeds his snakes live. All of my snakes are now eating f/t regularly, minus a few that refuse when in shed. For me it is cheaper, easier, and I feel it's safer for my animals.

good post.