Re: are rat snakes nocternal hunters?

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Posted by hotshot on September 25, 2002 at 13:32:15:

In Reply to: are rat snakes nocternal hunters? posted by Cidly on September 25, 2002 at 12:54:50:

Cidly
No you dont need to switch to a black light before you feed your snake. Im glad to see you are feeding F/T. It may be too soon to try and feed your snake after the ordeal you put him through.

I would suggest that you wait a few days before you try and feed him. This will allow him to calm down and hopefully forget what happened. I feed my snakes in seperate containers. I use one of those plastic storage boxes you can get at any store. If your snake was feeding no problem on F/T then once you have let him settle down, you can start feeding him again. Place the snake in the container and then drop the food item right in front of him and he should eat. If he seems shy or reluctant, you can put the lid on the box and leave him in it for awhile, and hopefully he will eat. Just make sure it is not an airtight seal, if it is you may have to put a few small air holes in it. And also make sure the lid will secure if you leave the snake unattended. A couple of bungee cords hooked around the container, or some duct tape on both ends would do the job. You may need to cover the box with a towel or something if it is see through so he isnt distracted or stressed while eating. Some snakes will not eat if there is alot of movement and action in the same room, and others could care less. My black rat would probably eat in the middle of the NY subway during rush hour, thats just the way he is.
If your snake eats, make sure you let him chill out for about 10 or 15 minutes before you put him back in his home. And before you pick him up, wash your hands with soap and water. Your hands will smell like mouse and he could mistake your hand for a mouse and bite. Once your snake has fed, and you have him back in his home, dont handle him again for atleast 48 hours. If you do, you could cause him to regurge his food. And then you would have to wait 6 or 7 days to try and feed him again.

As for the tail rattling, a snake will do that when he feels threatened. Again he may still be stressed from his ordeal with the live mouse. I would leave him alone for a couple of days and let him settle down. I know that the urge is there to pick him up and play with him, but a snake is not like a puppy where you can play with it whenever. They can be stressed and go off feed, be nippy, and actually die. So please for the sake of your animal please try and use this information. You stated in a previous post you really cared for snakes, and if indeed you really do, use the information that people offer. It is some very valuable info. I hope you have learned from your mistake and can move on in the right direction so your snake will have a long and happy life. Any other questions you have I will gladly try and answer them.
Brian Baker

:should I switch to a black light before I feed loki his f/t mouse? And when loki is ratling his tail is that a sign that hes not in the mood to be handled?

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