Re: gulf hammock rat snakes...trouble feeding

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Posted by dg on September 17, 2000 at 19:45:31:

In Reply to: gulf hammock rat snakes...trouble feeding posted by kris on September 14, 2000 at 11:06:16:

: So were we misinformed and these guys eat lizards or something instead of rodents?

Unfotunately, yes, hatchling rat snakes prefer lizards/tree frogs. Anyone that has caught neonates in the wild and palpated them can attest to this fact. But in captivity, we keepers prefer to offer them rodents. As a result, feeding problems are often encountered (see the corn snake forum!!!)

If the snakes are fairly healthy and not too thin or skinny, I don't suggest feeding them lizards or frogs just yet. Although some e. obsoleta ssp prefer lizards/treefrogs, most of these animals can be tricked into taking baby rodents. In fact based on my experiences, black and TX rats often will accept rodents with no problem right after (sometimes before) their post hatch shed.

Have you tried "tease feeding" your williamsi frozen thawed pinks? This technique works extremely well for me on stubborn everglades, yellow, and grey rat babies, who usually hold out for anolis as starter meals. Begin by grasping the neonate rat snake by the neck, with about 1-2" of its head free. Then tap the snake on the neck or head in order to elicit a strike or defensive response. Almost all baby obsoleta ssp will aggressively strike at a pinkie mouse when utilizing this technique. Once the snake "grabs" the pinkie, let go of the mouse and see what happens. At first the snake might spit out the pinkie, but with persistence most will eventually start swallowing after repeated attempts. Much patience is required, so don't try this when you are in a hurry! Once the snake begins to eat the pinkie, you must be extremely still and motionless. At this point any movement on your part could make the snake change its mind and spit out its intended meal. Once the snake has the pinkie completely swallowed, you can put it back in its cage. Sometimes it also helps to allow the snake to dangle upside down from your hand after it grabes the pinkie, there may be an aboreal "instinct" that takes over in juvenile rat snakes when hanging upside down, and the meal is accepted.

Usually after several tease feedings, most will get the idea and will begin accepting pinkies when "deli cupped."

Hope this helps,
dg

Elaphe obsoleta

Follow Ups:

does this work on adults too? ours are almost full grown kris 09/20/00 (2)
- Re: ours are almost full grown dg 09/20/00 (1)
  - actually... kris 09/23/00 (0)

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: : So were we misinformed and these guys eat lizards or something instead of rodents? : Unfotunately, yes, hatchling rat snakes prefer lizards/tree frogs. Anyone that has caught neonates in the wild and palpated them can attest to this fact. But in captivity, we keepers prefer to offer them rodents. As a result, feeding problems are often encountered (see the corn snake forum!!!) : If the snakes are fairly healthy and not too thin or skinny, I don't suggest feeding them lizards or frogs just yet. Although some e. obsoleta ssp prefer lizards/treefrogs, most of these animals can be tricked into taking baby rodents. In fact based on my experiences, black and TX rats often will accept rodents with no problem right after (sometimes before) their post hatch shed. : Have you tried "tease feeding" your williamsi frozen thawed pinks? This technique works extremely well for me on stubborn everglades, yellow, and grey rat babies, who usually hold out for anolis as starter meals. Begin by grasping the neonate rat snake by the neck, with about 1-2" of its head free. Then tap the snake on the neck or head in order to elicit a strike or defensive response. Almost all baby obsoleta ssp will aggressively strike at a pinkie mouse when utilizing this technique. Once the snake "grabs" the pinkie, let go of the mouse and see what happens. At first the snake might spit out the pinkie, but with persistence most will eventually start swallowing after repeated attempts. Much patience is required, so don't try this when you are in a hurry! Once the snake begins to eat the pinkie, you must be extremely still and motionless. At this point any movement on your part could make the snake change its mind and spit out its intended meal. Once the snake has the pinkie completely swallowed, you can put it back in its cage. Sometimes it also helps to allow the snake to dangle upside down from your hand after it grabes the pinkie, there may be an aboreal "instinct" that takes over in juvenile rat snakes when hanging upside down, and the meal is accepted. : Usually after several tease feedings, most will get the idea and will begin accepting pinkies when "deli cupped." : Hope this helps, : dg

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