Unexpected feeding results

reptiledude987 · 05-10-15, 09:16 PM

So as some of you mat know, last week added 2 snakes to my collection a bull snake and a hognose. I attempted the first feeding for both of them today. I was fully expecting that the 12g hognose may give me some problems eating. I couldnt have been more wrong. Once I thawed it I offered it to her with the tongs there were 2 or 3 tongue flicks and she grabbed it with no hesitation. I then offered a pinkie rat to the 75g bullsnake. I sat there wiggling it with the tongs for about 15 minutes with no success. By the end of the 15 minutes he did give me quite a show. He postured up hissing and striking like crazy! After a minute or two of hissing and striking without taking it I decided to just leave it and not stress him out. Ill try him again in a few days. The most surprising part of the whole feeding event came when I decided that I didnt want to waste the rat on someone else who would swallow it like an asprin. So I offered it to the hoggie and sure enough she took a while to do it but got the pinkie down with no problem.

Not at all the results I was expecting but found it quite interesting and thought I'd share.

prairiepanda · 05-10-15, 09:28 PM

Wow, I would have expected things to be the other way around! Do you know what kind of feeding strategy the previous owner/breeder used for the bull snake? Maybe he's used to a rat just being dropped in the enclosure and left there. Or he might just not be ready yet of course.

reptiledude987 · 05-10-15, 09:36 PM

I know so counter intuitive lol. A friend of mine works at the store I got the bull (tauntaun) from and he was tong feed and always eating regularl . So im just assuming he just needs more time to settle in. He hasnt been actively cruising around the tank looking for food yet either . Ill give him a bit and try him again. Im not worried at this point was just a bit surprised.

Heres a couple pictures of gammorean eating her first meal. She eat on that ledge because that seems to be her favorite spot to hang out. shes there 90% of the time. So I didnt want to move her and just let her eat it right there.

Albert Clark · 05-11-15, 05:21 AM

Nice! Hoggie looking like a big rodent killer. Healthy. Congrats!

**EL Ziggy** · 05-11-15, 07:53 AM

That is interesting dude! Like you said just try the pit again in a few days. Sounds like he's still a bit defensive. If he doesn't take from the tongs next time just leave it with him in a dark room. My bet is he'll take it down. Good job with the hoggie!! I've heard they can be hard to get going sometimes. Keep us posted and keep the pics coming.