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Feeding question

BLKsteeda

BLKsteeda

Elmo & Molly's Daddy
The snake that I just bought got fed every thursday at the place where we bought him from...you can still see the dark area in his body where he hasn't gone to the bathroom yet since he has last fed...if that is still present in his body come this thursday, should I still feed him or should I wait till he gets rid of last weeks meal. Also, roughly how long does the snake need to eat a little pinky before I move him back to his cage. The snake is a month and a half old. Thanks
 
My little ones usually defecate about 3-4 days after feeding. I would go ahead and feed him on schedule. I feed the little ones in separate containers and put them back after they're done swallowing. If you watch them, you'll know when they are finished, tongue starts flickering and body movements stop. I usually put the container back in the viv and help them out gently. Hope this helps.
 
How small of a container should I put him in to feed? Should it be something dark or can I put him in a clear plastic container? When he is done feeding should I just lower the continer he is in back into his cage and let him come out on his own? Last question, is it necessary to wash him off after he has fed to get the scent of the food off of his body? Thanks.
 
BLKsteeda said:
How small of a container should I put him in to feed? Should it be something dark or can I put him in a clear plastic container? When he is done feeding should I just lower the continer he is in back into his cage and let him come out on his own? Last question, is it necessary to wash him off after he has fed to get the scent of the food off of his body? Thanks.
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I use the clear food storage containers. I find that most of my snakes like to stay in there after feeding, so I help them out if I'm feeding several. Since you just have one, you can let him crawl out on his own.
DO NOT wash him off, trust me, he won't like it and there is absolutely no need.
 
Rosebear said:
mdorfer...did you recently add a corn? I could have sworn your sig said 9 corns last week!
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My my, aren't we the perceptive one :)
I got a stripe last week, was in the blue when I got it.
Hoping to get some pics up later! :cheers:
 
Ok...this will be my first feeding of a snake on Thursday and this is how I planned on doing it...please chime in if I am doing something wrong. Again, he is only a month and a half old.


I plan on putting him in a clear plastic container about 9" in diameter and about 5" deep...is that big enough?

I was told to hold the pinky under warm water for about a minute to thaw him...is that long enough or how should the pinky's body be?

I was just going to drop the pinky in the container with the snake already in there...do I need to put a lid on the container?

How long should I wait after he has swallowed to put him in his cage...is it easy to tell when he is finished. I was planning on placing the plastic container in the cage and sliding him out gently

I planned on not handling him for 48 hours after feeding.

Again, if anyone has any other helpful tips or if I'm doing something wrong in the steps above feel free to correct me. Thanks
 
BLKsteeda said:
I plan on putting him in a clear plastic container about 9" in diameter and about 5" deep...is that big enough?
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Yes

BLKsteeda said:
I was told to hold the pinky under warm water for about a minute to thaw him...is that long enough or how should the pinky's body be?
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I'd suggest placing the pinkie inside a plastic bag so that the water doesn't wash the mouse's scent away.

BLKsteeda said:
I was just going to drop the pinky in the container with the snake already in there...do I need to put a lid on the container?
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yes, unless you want to spend the rest of the night searching for your little escapee. :)

BLKsteeda said:
How long should I wait after he has swallowed to put him in his cage...is it easy to tell when he is finished. I was planning on placing the plastic container in the cage and sliding him out gently.
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If the pinkie is gone, he's finished. ;) Your method for transfer is fine.

Old herper's tip:

Some snakes are shy eaters and won't eat as long as you're standing over their shoulder. If he doesn't being to swallow the mouse after 10 minutes or so, place him inside a dark cabinet and close the door. This makes them feel more secure and less vulnerable.
 
CAV said:
I'd suggest placing the pinkie inside a plastic bag so that the water doesn't wash the mouse's scent away.
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so place the pinky in a ziploc an run the water over the bag...how can you tell when the pinky is thawed enough to feed to the snake...I don't want to give him a mouse-cicle...I'd imagine the body will go limp? Thanks for your imput...this is my first snake and want to do this correctly.
 
Put the pinky in the ziploc bag and submerge it in hot water for about 10-15 mins. If you sort of "roll" the pinky around in your fingers around the midsection you will feel if there are any cold spots left. Don't feed it if it isn't warm all the way through.
 
If your snake's a good eater, you probably won't need to use the plastic bag later. I've never used a plastic bag to thaw, just dumped them in hot water, and they've all eaten. Some snakes are pickier than others though. Just make sure it feels good and warm to the touch. I've found that my snakes eat them more readily if they are close to live temp (99-100 degrees F).
 
MegF. said:
I've found that my snakes eat them more readily if they are close to live temp (99-100 degrees F).
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And live mice really are that warm!

I feed Legoless in a medium sized Gladware container, inside his viv...no need to handle him afterward, and when his items of interest are gone, he leaves the container. I've only had one reluctant mealtime, and covering the set up so he couldn't see resolved that completely.

Good luck with the little one...sounds like you're trying to do it right!
 
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