Trouble Feeding Python

KBHicks2012 · 04-07-13, 10:47 AM

First off I want to say that I do know how majority of the members here feel about life feeding, and I do feel the same which is my concern with my WLp.

A few months ago I added a beautiful white lipped python to my collection. Sadly he does have a few scars on him from being fed live in the past and I har triedy hardest to switch him from Live feeding but he will not take it. I have tried both freshly killed and frozen, he will strike the prey when presented with tongs, but as soon as he wraps and does not feel any life he releases and ignores the fact it is even there anymore.

Currently I am having to flick the mice in the head and paralyze them to where he will still constrict and kill the prey himself. But I was curious to know of anyone else has encountered issues like this before in their collection. I would love to get him switched over to frozen but sadly I don't think I will be able to switch him over anymore. Any help greatly appreciated....thank you

smy_749 · 04-07-13, 10:50 AM

Why dont you just hold it with tongs after he grabs and coils, and shake it around/tug on it so he thinks hes winning the fight. OR you can get a long airline tube for fish tank co2 or something, put it in your mouses rear end and let him attack the dead mouse. Then you can blow into the other end to stimulate breathing

stephanbakir · 04-07-13, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

you can get a long airline tube for fish tank co2 or something, put it in your mouses rear end and let him attack the dead mouse. Then you can blow into the other end to stimulate breathing

Not sure where you got that idea.. But it sounds like a terrible idea... Mice can't expand that much, and who wants to taste that... There are far better ways. Waiting the snake out is generally one of them.

Also, when a snake coils, then releases right away its generally associated with defensive behavior. I'd give him the rat til he coils then leave the room.

I waited 5 months for one of my snakes to take f/t, eventually they will get hungry enough and make the switch.

smy_749 · 04-07-13, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

Not sure where you got that idea.. But it sounds like a terrible idea... Mice can't expand that much, and who wants to taste that... There are far better ways. Waiting the snake out is generally one of them.

Also, when a snake coils, then releases right away its generally associated with defensive behavior. I'd give him the rat til he coils then leave the room.

I waited 5 months for one of my snakes to take f/t, eventually they will get hungry enough and make the switch.

It was a joke bro hahaha I hope nobody would try that. The good part is if you want it to expand and contract, you can suck all that mouse air back up.

KBHicks2012 · 04-07-13, 11:16 AM

I was sure hoping that it was a joke, and that you were not sittin at home blowin' your mice.

I have just really feared that I will be unable to get him to switch over since he does not strike properly hints all his feeding scars

smy_749 · 04-07-13, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBHicks2012

I was sure hoping that it was a joke, and that you were not sittin at home blowin' your mice.

I have just really feared that I will be unable to get him to switch over since he does not strike properly hints all his feeding scars

or hints that the previous owner was leaving the mice in the cage unmonitored. It doesn't neccessary mean that they don't strike properly, unless you've witnessed it. Instinct usually takes over unless there is some other issue at hand (nerve wise or vision or something).

Anyways like stephen said, you would be surprised how long they can go without food, and be very stubborn. Just keep at it. Have you tried to leave it in the cage (dead not live) and go somewhere else? Or shutting off the lights works for some species.

KBHicks2012 · 04-07-13, 11:38 AM

I have witnessed him with poor, improper strikes getting the prey towards the hind legs leaving the head open to bite. When I had first gotten him, he had what seemed to be numerous eye caps still covering his right eye, which I know would have alot to do with strikes probably, but none the less I hate taking the chance of him getting hurt, and his prey size will only continue to grow along with chance of increasing danger of getting bit.

I will continue striving to switch him over week by week util he finally decided a he is hungry enough to take it down.

Terranaut · 04-07-13, 11:39 AM

Have you left the prey overnight (f/t)?
Try that. Might be gone by morning. If that doesn't work try braining the prey first. There are many things you can do so be patient. Your snake will not starve any time soon.

KBHicks2012 · 04-07-13, 11:40 AM

I have left dead in the enclosure over night with him and was still there in the morning. I have not tried a completely dark cage, since at night I use a red bulb

smy_749 · 04-07-13, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBHicks2012

I have witnessed him with poor, improper strikes getting the prey towards the hind legs leaving the head open to bite. When I had first gotten him, he had what seemed to be numerous eye caps still covering his right eye, which I know would have alot to do with strikes probably, but none the less I hate taking the chance of him getting hurt, and his prey size will only continue to grow along with chance of increasing danger of getting bit.

I will continue striving to switch him over week by week util he finally decided a he is hungry enough to take it down.

That doesn't always work with snakes from what I know. They may very well starve themselves to death on occasion. Just recheck your temps, humidity, etc. etc. and try random stuff like leaving it in his cage for a while and shutting off the lights. He is feeding on live, which is fine, but maybe there is something else other than pickyness causing the issue , you never know. Best of luck and keep us updated.