Feeding with Video Links!

Following the Feeding Guide post, this is an addition with a more hands on approach, that will include links to videos of my snakes feeding. Warning, the videos may cause distress to those of a nervous disposition.

Preparation Work

Before feeding a frozen rodent to a snake, you will have to defrost it and this is known as thawing. There are a few different methods of thawing and these depend on the snake you are feeding, as some have heat pits and need warm food, unlike others that do not have heat pits. 

If you are feeding a snake that does not have heat pits, you simply thaw the rodent at room temperature. I leave mine for around two hours to ensure it is defrosted throughout. In regards to pythons or snakes with heat pits, the method is different. You need to put their rats into luke warm water for an hour and then into warm water for around ten to fifteen minutes. Ensure that the food is not too hot but it should be warm.   

Heat Pits on Blaze

 

Snake Feeding Methods

 

There are two methods to consider when feeding a snake frozen thawed;

1. Drop feeding. This involves setting the food in the feeding box (or tank) and leaving the snake to their own devices. I find this method helps for fussy eaters who strike at their food but then refuse it. If you have loose bedding in the vivarium, lay a sheet of newspaper over the bedding so therefore the snake will not ingest the harmful bedding. 
2. Strike feeding is my preferred method as it is much more natural and exciting. This method involves holding the rodent in front of the snake using tongs, forceps or if you are brave enough by hand. The snake will become interested and will investigate, eventually striking and perhaps coiling around the prey as you will see in my video links below. 

 

 Bumblebee ball python - Blaze

 Corn snake - Snowy

 Corn snake - Crimson