Feeding techniques

[Sushi]

Hello. I was just wondering what everyone else here does when it's feeding time. I heard feeding them in their terrarium can make them associate the lid being taken off and your and going in to mean food.

Do you guys just feed them in their house?
Put them in a separate tank/bin?
Hand feed them, use tongues etc.?
If you put them in something else to eat, how much time should you give them before putting them back in their terrarium?

I just got my snakes (they are in separate tanks) about a week ago and it's feeding time soon, I'm just wondering what is the best way to do it.

Oh, also! The guy told me he was giving them two hoppers each every 2 weeks. This doesn't really seam right to me. Especially when he said that they usually don't eat the 2nd one till the next day or so... is that ok? I was thinking 1 hopper a week would be better. I read about the "lump" rule of thumb (lump there for 12-24 hours after eating then gone the next day) and was thinking maybe I could feed them one and see what the lump does. If it's not visible within 12-24 hours then I'd feed them a second hopper... I don't think I have to worry about hoppers being too big, just worried 2 is too much.

Sorry it's a little long and amateur sounding. Just want to make sure my guys are getting what's best for them.

 

[Susielea]

I personally go with the feed them in a seperate tub/bin/tank, once they are past the hatchling stage, which it sounds like your are. I offer the prey item from tongs, especially for my adults, who strike and constrict. If the snake is not interested in taking the food item from the tongs, I just lay it in the bottom of the feeding container and allow them to consume it at their own pace.

I wait anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes, after they have swallowed the feed before returning them to their respective tanks.

One hopper once a week sounds like a good plan to start with, if the lump is not visible after 24 hours, then wait until the next scheduled feeding, before feeding again with maybe a slightly bigger food item. The general rule is to feed a prey item no larger than 1 and a half times the thickest part of your snake, usually the mid section.

Here's a link to a feeding plan, that uses the weight of your snake to help determine the size of the food item to offer, which might be of help

http://cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50106

Don't forget to not handle the corns for 48 to 72 hours after feeding, so they can digest in peace and to avoid a regurgitation of the meal.

I think that covers most of what you asked, so I hope that helps

Best wishes,

 

[Sushi]

Yes you helped a lot! Thanks you very much!!!

 

[Nanci]

This is what I do:

1. Thaw mice in hot water

2. Set out all feeding containers. (Be very sure your containers have secure lids. The only two escapes I have had have been adults getting out of feeding containers)! Each snake has its own feeding container with its name written on it.

3. Put mouse for snake #1 in feeding container. Get snake #1 and her water bowl. Weigh the snake, put the snake in the container, move container to the end of the line, wash the water bowl with hot soapy water, replace clean water bowl in snake #1's viv.

4. Put mouse in snake #2's container. Repeat!

As the babies finish up their meals, I replace them in their clean cages. A couple are easily distracted or defensive. If they don't settle in and eat immediately, I cover their containers up with a dish cloth, and check them last. The snakes that get multiple items get them all at one time. Be very, very careful not to close a head or tail in the lid.

 

[Nanci]

This type of feeding container is very secure for adults. I no longer melt holes in them. I left a bunch of these outside where I was going to melt holes in them with a soldering iron. It rained, and they filled up with water. I figured that meant enough air would get in for a snake to breathe. I noticed that where the handle goes in, there is room for air.

 

[Sushi]

Thanks! I might not have thought of getting separate bins when shopping, makes sense though! I'll see if I can find similar bins at Walmart.