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"Strike-Feeding"

R

Roy Munson

New member
It's been decades since I got any sort of thrill out of the actual feeding response of snakes, beyond the satisfaction of eager feeders. But lately I've been performing a little "prey dangle" for many of my snakes, and I find that the strike-constriction response to doing this IS somewhat satisfying. I know that the exercise from doing this is minimal, but I can't help but think that every little bit helps.

For years, I've employed the method where I placed the f/t mouse in the tub and THEN introduced the snake. I still think that this prevented the snakes from miscues that would prompt them to bite me. Now that I don't care about this so much, I've decided to start experimenting a little. The snakes seem to be enthusiastic about it-- even the laziest of feeders!

I guess I'll update if things go terribly wrong... ;)
 
I used to do the same, put in the mouse, then the snake but since I had my first babies last year I have been offering every snake the mouse/ rat with a pair of bamboo tongs. They all seem to enjoy it and its kinda funny watching a very friendly snake snatch the mouse and turn into a ball :D Also, I have noticed that since useing the tongs that the snakes never think my hands have food... they only associate the tongs with food :)
 
You sound like an excited noooob Dean LOL.

I strike feed all my snakes... If they are too lazy to strike, then they are obviously too lazey to eat. Oh well, they miss out and soon get the message ;)
 
I've always put my snake in first, and then introduced the mouse with long tongs. I've found that the best way to induce a strong feeding response (in my snake anyways) is to move the mouse around. Don't just wiggle it in one area, but move it around so the snake kinda has to chase it a bit.
 
i have always strike fed, i love it, only had 1 real issues, my big girl missed the rat and decided to come out and try child hands instead, my 8yr old held up pretty good having her come out of the feed bin and tag him(was using tongs), still not sure why she by passed the rat after missing it, it was right there but she wanted human child instead.

i use feed bins for most of mine, only problem i have found it trying to trick some of them into backing up so i can get the rat in the bin, as some sit with their noses to the door, and occasionally tag the rat outside the bin and drag it in.

some hit frighteningly hard, ripping tails and feet off.
 
Strike feeding is how I get the feeding shots I like, with the corns squeezing the life out of their f/t prey! I'm still thrilled with the response to zombie mouse antics:)
 
I've started that recently with the big guys. I don't have tongs and don't intend to buy any, so I don't do it with the snakes that are eating small things. It's fun to see and feel them grab their dinner that I'm dangling by the tail, but Pele, my 500g female amel, has SUCH a strong feeding response that she still makes me jump sometimes. And then I still feel sheepish about my startle response. :rofl:
 
I like to hand feed the babies as I'm carrying them to their bins. I love that little fffttt sound they make!
 
I've never done anything but strike feeding, and I love it. Especially the little hiss the snake lets out when striking.
 
I always feed established feeders this way too, with the "zombie mouse dance" on a pair of fishing forceps, although the mouse doesn't dance for long :grin01:. The snake goes in the tub and they know tub means food, then I crack the lid and offer the mouse on the forceps, great response every time :) Very satisfying to know they really want to eat.
 
I just never really did that except when the snake wasn't interested, and for the most part, that didn't help.

I gave Cherry a mouse the other day. She grabbed it by the middle, and I was going to take it away and let her re-bite it. No way! She threw about three coils around it and gave me the death glare! Ok, I let her figure it out for herself.
 
I always dangle food in front of my snakes. Most will at least take it that way, if not full out strike, but some want nothing to do with it until it's laying harmlessly in the tub. If they don't strike, I just drop it in and let them eat how they prefer. If they don't want to strike, I have no problem with that. The only one I don't dangle food for is my boa. He's got a hell of a strike, and I don't feel like taking a chance on bad aim.
 
When you have enough, its just the easiest way of doing things. You know right away whether they are going to eat or not. I can feed a rack of about 30 in that way, in less then 5 minutes.
 
Dean,
You should be ashamed of yourself. Strike feeding.. lol

If you want a strike feeder to entertain you. Get one of these, I feed her 4 mice and she is begging for more. Typically she can down a XXL Rat or a pound and half rabbit.

selu3-2.jpg
 
Duff said:
I always dangle food in front of my snakes. Most will at least take it that way, if not full out strike, but some want nothing to do with it until it's laying harmlessly in the tub. If they don't strike, I just drop it in and let them eat how they prefer. If they don't want to strike, I have no problem with that. The only one I don't dangle food for is my boa. He's got a hell of a strike, and I don't feel like taking a chance on bad aim.
Click to expand...

Duff,

My big guy is this way... he watches it, but refuses to touch it until I put it down... of course, it use to be that I had to put a towel over his feeding bin AND turn out the lights for him to eat... so I'll take this.

The only one that I've got that will strike a dangling mouse is my Anery Motley and he's just started it and he will only do it on his second hopper! Weird guy...
 
My corn has been off-and-on with striking, which I really don't understand. I've managed to get him to strike about 4 times, each time with the zombie mouse dance, but he doesn't seem to fall for it any more. He'll do his best to avoid the mouse altogether until I plop it down in his feeding tub.

It sucks because watching him strike and constrict is pretty great :grin01:
 
my guy always strike feeds, and i love it! as soon as i get him into his feeding container he goes into attack mode and strikes at the mouse right away
 
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