Food Radar

[guidofatherof5]

I like to hand feed most of my snake. My big groups of adults are always fun. I've learned to be ready to handout a lot of food in the first wave of snakes. If they are all busy eating they won't be actively stealing/fighting with someone else.
I have notice an interesting thing during these feeding times. If I am feeding a snake and it is finishing its food. Another snake may bolt towards them to steal it. If I grab that snake and push it away they will stay focused on the food and bolt right back. It's like they are locked on with some kind of radar. I've even put them on the other side of the enclosure and they will remember where that other snake is and the possible food. Losing sight of it means nothing. They still attempt to get back to that other snake.
They are determined little beggars. So much fun to interact with.

[ConcinusMan]

My concinnus do the same dang thing. Since there is a liner, and no substrate, I'm feeding my big girls in their enclosure, by hand. It's funny how one will seem to be uninterested in the food until another grabs it, then they dash across the tank to try and steal it. The more you push the thief aside, the more determined that snake becomes.

[Hollis_Steed]

When you say you feed by hand do you mean "by hand" or by forceps or some other utensil? I would think that actually feeding by hand would eventually equate (to the snake) Hand = Food....bite hand = dinner. Not so?

[guidofatherof5]

When you say you feed by hand do you mean "by hand" or by forceps or some other utensil? I would think that actually feeding by hand would eventually equate (to the snake) Hand = Food....bite hand = dinner. Not so?

I have very little trouble with them mistaking me for food. On non-food days it's never a problem. I spend a lot of non-food time with them. I think they know when it's a food time and when it's not.
Granted, during food times I do get bit once in awhile but as a rule they realize very quickly I'm not food and let go without any blood(my blood) being spilled. Even when I have a hand covered in worm slime they will only take the worm out of my fingers. Don't get me wrong they aren't perfect little angels during feeding time. They have on occassion grabbed my hand and tried to drag it into their hide. Last night I had collected a few slugs for some of my big girls that love them. The slugs were very small but still slimmed my fingers. My girls took every slug without ever biting me. It was cool watching them first take the slugs off my fingers with their lips and then eat them. They of course didn't have to do that. They could have just grabbed my fingers.

[Hollis_Steed]

Wow! very cool. I think I'm going to give it a try next feed day. I like the idea of a more personal touch to feeding and interacting.

[guidofatherof5]

Wow! very cool. I think I'm going to give it a try next feed day. I like the idea of a more personal touch to feeding and interacting.

My experience is with T.radix(Plains garter snake) and T.s.parietalis(Red sided garter snake) mostly. I can't speak for the others.

[infernalis]

When you say you feed by hand do you mean "by hand" or by forceps or some other utensil? I would think that actually feeding by hand would eventually equate (to the snake) Hand = Food....bite hand = dinner. Not so?

Most of mine pluck the pinks right out of my hand too.

This one angry snow radix though, his mouth is agape the second I pick him up.. He always thinks I have food when I pick him up.

[Tyrel26]

First of all don't try hand feeding if you have any fear at all of getting a bite, you may pluck away by reflex and cause damage to the snake. (thats just my opinion of course). I have been bitten once while feeding, and it was from a very large female that managed to hit the top of my finger, as i was covered in fish mucus she continued to "eat" my finger for a few seconds before releasing me. I bled a little but had no choice other than to patiently wait for her to release :).


When it comes to the "radar" I find it a great way to get babies feeding. I place a non feeder in a container with one that feeds very well and drop in one small worm and usually after the hungry snake grabs it the other will grab the other end. I then pin the worm in the centre with a dull instrument until it breaks. I only do this on snakes that will not eat any other way and if you try this DO NOT look away; if you do it may cost you both snakes.

[guidofatherof5]

First of all don't try hand feeding if you have any fear at all of getting a bite, you may pluck away by reflex and cause damage to the snake. (thats just my opinion of course)..

Very good point to bring up.

[Hollis_Steed]

I'm not too scared of being bitten. I used to raise Macaws and Amazon parrots. Now THAT hurts! and THAT bleeds! In fact, I keep thinking to myself, c'mon go ahead and bite me...let's get it over with. I don't have any non-feeders at the moment so it would just be one snake at a time to try the hand feeding

[infernalis]

I let mine bite me, no biggie.

One time while herping, I got bit and I let this garter just chew away at my hand, the person who was with me flipped out.

I said I didn't want the snake to hurt itself, and I got called "what a strange man":rolleyes:

[Tyrel26]

no biggie to us but I have seen people jump up and down after a fly bite/sting lol

some people are naturally jumpy and it may have nothing to do with fear.

As a kid I had a pet chipmunk and my dad asked if it would bite me if i put my hand in the cage...I laughed and said no cause it never had before. well the moment my hand got close the little bugger clamped onto my finger and would not release. I started bleeding and my dads eyes got real big and he asked me why Im not plucking my had out; I calmly said i dont want to hurt him :)

[Laura]

Steve, I envy the relationship you have with your snakes

[infernalis]

Other snakes do too Laura, they bust into his house to join his groups!

[guidofatherof5]

Other snakes do too Laura, they bust into his house to join his groups!

That's not true, Wayne.
I've installed little snake doors so they can come in whenever the please.:D They do have to check-in at the front desk and register, though.