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Hand-feeding taken literally...

K

Kekmet

Birdface
Hi all. I have sort of an oddball question about my snake and was hoping to get some advice...

I've had my corn snake, Nim, for about three months. He is about two feet long and was, at least for one month, a very enthusiastic feeder. Lately though, that's changed- unless I'm holding him.

In February, he skipped a meal, so when I was feeding him next I put the thawed fuzzy in first and, while holding him, put his head down near it so he would see it. I thought that would show him where it was- it sure did! He grabbed it right then and there and gulped it down... while still wrapped around my hand.

Every feeding since, he won't eat unless I'm holding him. He'll usually slide off my hand when he has the pinky fully in his mouth, but today he hung on for quite awhile.

If I'm not holding him, or if the fuzzy is put in after he's already in the feeding tank, he will completely ignore it for several hours or not eat at all. The zombie mouse dance works to no avail- but he'll eat immediately if I'm holding him.

Anyone experience this for? Advice on how to break him of this- or if I should even bother? (To be honest imagining this happening when he's full grown makes my arm nervous!)
 
I would not encourage him to do that. You don't what him to associate your hand with food. To break him of the habit, quit doing it. He will get hungry.
 
A simple answer for a simple question, right? It just made me nervous when he went off his food.

Thanks Wade!
 
Why do you care if he likes to eat like that? I love it when the little babies take food out of my hand! They grow out of it all too soon, for me! (I bet Big Jake would take food out of my hand, but I don't want to LOSE my hand!!)
 
I have adults who will do that... was very funny having my brother show up when I had a 3 ft snake chowing down a mouse while wrapped around my wrist and hand.
 
Well, it does terrify my parents, so that's a plus...

Since he doesn't eat unless he's being held, and no one else is willing to hold him in my family, it makes me worry he'll go hungry if I'm away on business for a few months. I suppose he'll have to go hungry or adapt!
 
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