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Feeding Tips?

This is what our member has to say: Just wondering if im feeding my Green Tree Python right... I hold the f/t pinky in front of his face and kind of slowly ...


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Feeding Tips?



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  #1  
06-19-2008, 06:45 PM
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Feeding Tips?

Just wondering if im feeding my Green Tree Python right... I hold the f/t pinky in front of his face and kind of slowly move it back and forth. sometimes he will go for it and other times not. Is there an easier or better way? Am I doing it wrong? New to Green Tree Python so dont bite my head off please

  #2  
 I helped move the meter!   06-20-2008, 02:51 AM
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Re: Feeding Tips?

No one is going to bite your head off here. (But watch your fingers with the GTPs! )
We have 6 GTPs at the moment, and the feeding technique varies between them and between each feeding.
I'd recommend long feeding tongs to hold the pinky. Hold it by the hips so that the head is protruding out. That way, when the snake snaps at it, he doesn't clamp onto the metal. (It happens sometimes in eager feeders, though, so don't worry).
Usually your technique of moving it slowly back and forth works perfectly. Sometimes, however, they need some more "motivation". With some of ours we have to softly push the head of the mouse right up to the snake's mouth, then he'll slowly open up and take it. Other times, we have to "make 'em mad" by thumping the mouse against their body (usually the tail or the neck area) This usually gets them hissing and snapping. When they bite at it, sometimes they hang on and decide to swallow it. Other times, they really just don't want to eat and make closed mouth defensive strikes that push it away. DO NOT hit them in the head with it! (If he really seems not to want it, give up and try another day.)
In really difficult cases, you can try the "Indian" trick. Go to a pet store that sells birds and collect a few of the soft down feathers that little birds drop all over the cage and outside. (It's a good idea to freeze them or boil and dry them to get any possible parasites off.) Put a feather into the mouth of the thawed, warmed up pinky. Then lightly tickle the snake's mouth area with the feather end. This usually got our reluctant eaters to eat. In the wild they sometimes eat birds, so it's no problem for them to swallow the feather. Do NOT use feathers from pillows! Those may have been treated with chemicals. Pet stores don't usually mind you cleaning up a few of the feathers for them and seem interested when you tell them what you want it for!) Here's a pic of what an "Indian pinky" looks like.
I hope that helps! Advice: RELAX. It's OK and normal for snakes to eat on an irregular basis! Keep detailed records of shedding dates and feeding dates. But don't expect the snake to stay on your schedule!
Now let's see some pics of your baby!!
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  #3  
06-23-2008, 07:32 PM
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Re: Feeding Tips?

Thanks blackjack. That sounds like exactly what I've been doing. I usually have to nudge him a little but I didnt know if that would just make it worse. I will try the "indian pinky" maybe that will help. I'll post some more pictures of him/her when I get my camera back from my step mom.... (If I ever do)

 


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