Feeding help

[Loren]

Yeah, Like Shannon said- put the food item up nice and slow-and it does seem to work best right below the level of their head.
Then sometimes I move it against their lower lip in a very, very slow and gentle circular motion, if it doesnt freak them out. sometimes they will slowly turn their head sideways and start to eat. That one worked especially well with a rosy boa I was helping to get feeding.

And I have some snakes that only eat from the comfort of their hidebox. I have to enter the cage as quietly as possible, and gently reach the food item into the hidebox with my hemostat, then they will take it. If I disturb them at all- its a no-go.
For those types of snakes, a small, low profile hide works best- one just big enough for them to fit under- makes them feel more secure. Not that this is necesarily what your snake is like- but I thought I'd mention it.

[GarterNovice]

Thanks. Stu does have a low lying rock hide I got him. Though he seems to prefer hanging in the vines above his pond recently. Maybe to be closer to the lamps. Who knows. I'm gonna try some of the tricks everyone suggested this afternoon as he seems to have calmed down quite a bit since the last attempt.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Yeah, Like Shannon said- put the food item up nice and slow-and it does seem to work best right below the level of their head.
Then sometimes I move it against their lower lip in a very, very slow and gentle circular motion, if it doesnt freak them out. sometimes they will slowly turn their head sideways and start to eat. That one worked especially well with a rosy boa I was helping to get feeding.

And I have some snakes that only eat from the comfort of their hidebox. I have to enter the cage as quietly as possible, and gently reach the food item into the hidebox with my hemostat, then they will take it. If I disturb them at all- its a no-go.
For those types of snakes, a small, low profile hide works best- one just big enough for them to fit under- makes them feel more secure. Not that this is necesarily what your snake is like- but I thought I'd mention it.

the hidebox thing is one I forgot to mention.... I am always sneaking food items into hides and tubes with my tongs. The tongs are my third hand! This worked with a BP that belongs to one of my regular customers that I told her I would help get eating. It did not eat once the entire 2 months since she had it, it took me 3 days (2 attempts) to get her eating! Just made it "walk" in front of the hidey and BOOM goes the dynamite!!!

Basically, when you are feeding a snake, you want it to seem like just the opposite if you are having trouble. You want them to feel like they found it, or stumbled upon it, on their own. You want them to be totally unaware of your presence. With good aggressive feeders, this does not matter and they even will look forward to you opening the cage so they can attack!!!