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Posted by gila7150 on April 29, 2003 at 04:50:57:
In Reply to: also..... posted by hassanblacktail on April 29, 2003 at 00:39:09:
The only force feeding experience I have with Drymarchon is tube feeding a soft diet to a very ill texas indigo that had oral surgery. Hopefully someone with more drymarchon experience than me will weigh in on this one.
I've had to force feed juvie thayeri and other hatchlings before. Use a prey item that is considerably smaller than what your cribo would normally be capable of eating. I moisten it with warm water to provide some lubrication. Gently pry open the mouth (I've used a sexing probe turned sideways) and gently insert the prey item. Hopefully, once the prey item has been gently pushed 1/3-1/2 of the way into the mouth the cribo will finish it. Usually this works best if you can leave the snake alone where he cant see you. (under newspaper, hidebox). Only attempt this when you are not rushed and in a patient mood.
I'll stress again that force feeding is a last resort and should only be done after you've exhausted every other trick and tried every prey item possible (lizards, snakes, chicks, etc.)
If anyone disagrees with any advice I've given, please feel free to contradict me. Fortunately, my cribos are all good eaters so I'm happy to say my experience in this department is limited.
Good luck,
Chris
