Good idea or bad idea (for force feeding)

[jaxom1957]

o ok....I got ya and one more question once the mouth is open I just like put the pinkie in and push it gentliy down the throat a little bit...?

Basically, yes. Hold the snake just behind the jaws to control head movement. Choose a pinkie that is smaller than you would normally feed the snake. Put the pinkie, nose first, into the snake's mouth while sliding the toothpick out the side. When you get the pinkie to the snake's throat, gently push the pinkie as far in as you can. I find holding the pinkie with a finger on each side works better than pushing from the end.

If you cannot push the pinkie by hand, try using a blunt rod with an end smaller than the pinkie. I use an 8 gauge piercing taper, but most people don't have one lying around A chopstick or the eraser end of a pencil works well.

As soon as you get the pinkie past the jaw, close the snake's mouth and keep it closed to prevent it spitting the mouse back out. Gently massage the bulge to help the snake to swallow. I usually will do this until the bulge has gone past at least three saddles.

Good luck, and let me know how it goes for you.