my baby carpet python won't eat dead food - Page 3

shaunyboy · 12-30-11, 07:53 PM

RED INK
your our resident ozzy guy to go to.....

how much is a pair of feeding tongs ?

wheres the best place dragonteen can get them ?

thanks in advance,shaun

ZARADOZIA · 12-31-11, 04:15 AM

I use regular cooking tongs. They cost 1.00 at the dollar store. I have no idea what the cost would be where you are. But shouldn't be too much. If you are going to use cooking tongs, be sure to look at the end where you will be holding the mouse/rat and make sure they line up and close evenly. If you need a pic to understand what I mean let me know.

Lankyrob · 12-31-11, 08:37 AM

For a larger snake then a set of barbecue tongs would be better - longer distance between you and the teeth!!

dragonteen · 12-31-11, 10:28 PM

i'll try to get a pic if he's there next time we go down the river.
i have some tongs right now but i don't think mum will like the idea of me useing them

so when do they usualy reach that size? two, three years?

Caylan · 12-31-11, 10:50 PM

Yay! A chance to help someone out. Carpet pythons are my thing! Or at least who I have most experience with other then ball pythons, but they don't count as snakes anymore lol. Anyway I'm going to start with thawing and heating food. My failsafe has always been a slow thaw in lukewarm/cold water. Just throw the mouse directly in the water. When it is thawed(don't be afraid to give it a few pinches to check for ice) then hold it under running hot water, full on hot, for about 10-15 seconds. Take the rodent directly to the snake in its cage and offer by holding at the nape of the neck and pointing it nose to nose with the snake. Wiggle slowly, and occasionally quickly take it away to either side. This is what I find gets a strike response from a reluctant snake. they don't want to eat right away, but they don't want to let the opportunity get away until they know for sure, so they try and grab. When it grabs, continue to wiggle for a bit until she gets a good wrap on it. Then leave the room, turn out the lights, and don't return for at least 30 minutes. I have a jaguar here, that I may have to get to kill the same prey item up to 6 times before she will eat, and even then I occasionally give up because its just not worth the stress to the snake. Best of luck, but I would say give the snake at least 2 months with out trying a live mouse, to get some hunger going as well. You'll be better able to tell how often the snake needs to eat, but I have seen a carpet go 6 months from hatching without eating, and it still lives today, and eats like a champ now. Carpets are hardy, I'm sure yours will do fine as long as it still eats live once in a while if need be. Best of luck, feel free to pm me if you would like anymore help. ~Caylan.S.~

dragonteen · 01-01-12, 10:34 PM

ok. thanks!

red ink · 01-01-12, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaunyboy

RED INK
your our resident ozzy guy to go to.....

how much is a pair of feeding tongs ?

wheres the best place dragonteen can get them ?

thanks in advance,shaun

Herpshop online if you specifically want snake tongs or forceps

OR

Go cheap and just get BBQ tongs from the reject shop or Woolies

dragonteen · 01-03-12, 05:49 PM

ok thanks.
i'm a bit concerne about my snake right now. he hasn't moved in a few days. he only meved when i poked him to make sure he was alright. is that a normal thing for snakes to do during summer?

Gungirl · 01-03-12, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonteen

ok thanks.
i'm a bit concerne about my snake right now. he hasn't moved in a few days. he only meved when i poked him to make sure he was alright. is that a normal thing for snakes to do during summer?

I can bet you that he moved. My BP will goes for days looking as if he hasn't moved at all. They move around when they feel safe, normally at night when it is dark and quiet. Then they will settle back down into there favorite spot.

ZARADOZIA · 01-04-12, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

I can bet you that he moved. My BP will goes for days looking as if he hasn't moved at all. They move around when they feel safe, normally at night when it is dark and quiet. Then they will settle back down into there favorite spot.

^^100% correct. I always pull Sasha out every few days and give her a good looking over, checking her scales, eyes, etc to make sure everything looks healthy and as it is suppose to look.

shaunyboy · 01-04-12, 07:30 AM

if your trying to get your carpet feeding you shouldn't be poking at it and disturbing it pal

i'm NOT having a go at you,but the best way to get her feeding,is to give her peace and quiet,only going near her to change her water as quickly and quietly as possible

offer prey once every 7 to 10 days

cheers shaun

Lankyrob · 01-04-12, 01:55 PM

^^^^ This is so true - if one of my snakes (all regular feeders) misses a single feed then until the next feed they are left totally alone with just water changes, even tho there is a very good chance that they WILL take the next offered prey item.

dragonteen · 01-09-12, 06:50 PM

ok.
i haven't touched him for a while now except when i fed him a live mouse. i'm on the last one now so i'll start trying dead food again.

Gungirl · 01-09-12, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonteen

ok.
i haven't touched him for a while now except when i fed him a live mouse. i'm on the last one now so i'll start trying dead food again.

The more times you give in and give him a live mouse the longer he will hold out on you knowing that sooner or later he will get what he wants. (live food) Once you decide to feed f/t do not revert back to live unless the snake is starting to loose a good amount of weight. The snake will eventually eat f/t if that is all that it is offered.

Lankyrob · 01-10-12, 11:53 AM

^^^^ What she said ^^^^