switch to f/t

[stephanbakir]

Its becoming a habit

[Jendee]

Originally Posted by sickvenom

if one wants to follow this advice, just make sure are you holding your rodent with tongs. you don't want to drop a wet meal on top of any substrate that could be ingested by your snake.

Ive been feeding my snakes wet f/t for 20 yrs and i plop the rat right on the aspen, bam snake strikes, aspens on the rat. Ive watched my snakes eat and as the snake is inching towards the *** all the aspen gets pushed to the end I guess. Ive never had one of my animals ingest apsen. Im sure with different substrates this could be a problem, it hasnt with me though. Guess Ive been lucky..it makes for easy feeding toss rats in all cages then leave the room lol a good 20 mins is all it takes.


I dont think snakes can associate food with cage being opened. I do think if you feed on a schedule they know when there schedule feeding day is because they are all waiting at the door but my boas wait pateintly in their cages. When I open their cage I can stick my hand in there need be. sure they sniff with excitment but never had they struck until the rat was actually in there tub or cage. Its a pretty great experince and I love my hobbie!!

[infernalis]

May not be applicable to larger snakes, But a friend of mine lost one of his favourite snakes from one sliver of aspen puncturing her esophagus and the small poke wound got infected.

The vet found the aspen sliver stuck in the festered wound, the snake died from the infection. I sometimes wish I could afford a necropsy every time one of mine died.. but he's the kind of guy who just can't rest until he has the answer as to why it happened.

[stephanbakir]

Do it yourself necropsy ?

[sickvenom]

Originally Posted by infernalis

May not be applicable to larger snakes, But a friend of mine lost one of his favourite snakes from one sliver of aspen puncturing her esophagus and the small poke wound got infected.

The vet found the aspen sliver stuck in the festered wound, the snake died from the infection. I sometimes wish I could afford a necropsy every time one of mine died.. but he's the kind of guy who just can't rest until he has the answer as to why it happened.

It just takes once and you're either looking at a big vet bill, a dead snake, or both!

[Jendee]

I do cheat and use small animal sized aspen and not the snake shreds, because its cheaper..doesnt mold and I figured if they were bigger chunks it wouldnt be such a threat. If it ever did Happen though Id never forgive myself lol If I lost a snake due to my own neglect that would be a rough time

[stephanbakir]

Originally Posted by Jendee

I do cheat and use small animal sized aspen and not the snake shreds, because its cheaper..doesnt mold and I figured if they were bigger chunks it wouldnt be such a threat. If it ever did Happen though Id never forgive myself lol If I lost a snake due to my own neglect that would be a rough time

Thats honestly the best reason to use a separate feeding location, you can use whatever pretty substrate you want, and not worry about impaction!

[Jay]

or a plate...

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

Do it yourself necropsy ?

I know a few people who dissect their snakes when they die, I admire the ability to do that..

[stephanbakir]

Plates are fine for the smaller snakes, but with the larger ones they tend to grab the food and drag it around, I've never had a retic consume the prey item on their plates, some of the bp's do it aswell

[stephanbakir]

Originally Posted by infernalis

I know a few people who dissect their snakes when they die, I admire the ability to do that..

It can be fun, and its a good learning experience for any interested friends and family.

[infernalis]

when your either sad about losing a beloved pet or angry at a failed breeding plan, it's a bit harder to do.

at that point all I want to do is either a proper burial or put my fist through the front of the viv.

[stephanbakir]

It generally always sucks when you lose a pet, its your... job? to find a way to turn that negative into a positive, at the very least you can turn the loss into a learning experience.
Not saying that either is the right or wrong answer, that's each individuals choice

[infernalis]

I know exactly what your saying..