Uncommon Snake Foods

[KITKAT]

Actually, it sounds like you may need practice with a moving target. If you aim for the chest and hit the legs, it may be because you did not allow some latitude for the fact that the animal will move forward as your gun goes off. You need to learn to lead the animal...

Also, check your shotgun and make sure you're sighted in...

Just a thought...

[abcat1993]

It is sighted in, I'm sure, but it was in the air in full sprint when I shot it. I thought I shot at least a foot before it but the gun does sway a lot. Also I didn't (obviously) want to see it struggling to get up and having it's front leg blown off before getting shot again somewhere in the torso. I am sorry to hijack your thread, hoever started this.

[Cazador]

Since we're talking about providing "uncommon snake food," here's a tip that can almost always help you bag four-legged prey without having to risk shooting at a moving target. Just make a snort, cough, short whistle, grunt, or another "natural" sound (not footsteps or breaking branches, though). Deer almost always freeze and look/listen for the object that made the noise. I almost never take a shot at a moving target when I'm in search of "snake food ." Try it before hunting season so reassure yourself that it works. Best,
Rick

P.S. Be sure to vote in the "Strumpfbandnattern" poll under the "general talk forum" if you're interested in getting this book translated.

[abcat1993]

I wish I had told my dad to save some of the guts for my snake. Although I don't know if I would really want to deal with that in my freezer.

[Cazador]

The guts are filled with bacteria that can be harmful for your snake, and the organs can contain pesticides, organochlorines, and metals. It's best just to feed pure meat scraps anyway. If you're interested, shave a little bit off an uncooked steak; soak it in hot water; then either scent it or put it in a shallow dish with live, swimming fish. Let us know how it works for you,
Rick

[ytee29]

hi just wondering if you feed your snake meat is it room temp or cold and I was under the assumption that they would only eat live food what a relief since this house is primarly vegatrian,spinach eating snake ha ha

[abcat1993]

Would the heart work as food? Also, my snake doesn't eat fish. I've tried before and had no success. I just think mice are pretty expensive for a thirteen year old (at Petco they cost about 1.75 per mouse and about 4.5 for three) and having your snake live off of free food for a while would be nice.

[Cazador]

Ytee,
You want the meat to be at room temperature for sure. Don't serve cold meat to an ectotherm. I cut it into the right sized strips, according to the size of the snake, and freeze them separately on freezer paper. After they've frozen, I thaw as many as I want in hot water. Then, they can be scented if desired, added to shallow water with live fish, or they can eventually be presented by themselves in a dish. Sometimes, I even thread them onto light fishing string (with a needle) and give them a little motion through the tank. I tie a small knot in the end of the fishing string, so there is a tiny bit of "struggle" when it gets "captured." It's a lot of fun, but it takes them a bit of time to get accustomed to it. I'd suggest starting with the meat in a shallow dish with live fish.

Abcat,
I don't know why the heart wouldn't work as food. It has a bit of a different texture and flavor, but it should work. Just wash and rinse it well, and try serving it beside your pinkies. Be sure to occasionally supplement the meat with Calcium powder & vitamin B1. There's nothing to lose in trying, right?
Rick

[otis lee]

i have feed can cat/dog food,toads,newts,deer meat,crawfish,and last week i feed a albino toad to a albino checkered all babys.i did not get a picture.most of this is the rare treat for them. some time the babys i keep together try to eat each other at feeding time.

[Faunaofthenorth]

This really isn't that uncommon but...well i thought i'd throw it in...for the last year i have been feeding my 53" sirtalis sirtalis on full grown adult rats. She goes nuts for them and i have been feeding her huge field mice that my dog has been catching, but i do freeze them of course. Once i get my video software working on my computer, Ill post some videos on Youtube...Its actually pretty sweet to see....I also got her to eat 3 baby stillborn rabbits...and trust me...they are not small, they are way fater than the adult rats, or at least the ones i fed her were.