Worm Donut

[guidofatherof5]

I cut up a lot of worm for the babies and young snakes I have on the Ranch. Once in awhile I run into a problem and I thought I would post about it as something to watch for.
I call it a worm donut. I use a pair of scissors to cut my worms into chucks. This worm donut happens in the dark area(front area) of the worm. It seems that as I cut the worm its organ tend to push out at the sight of the cut. Then the next cut is hollowed out.
This can cause a problem as the snake eats if the loop of the worm gets on the outside of the lower jaw. It's an easy fix if it happens and some larger snakes can even chew through the looped part but babies are not able to remedy the problem.
As I cut up worms I try to cut these loops as I see them but sometimes miss them. This was apparent tonight as I feed some slow eaters. One of them was rubbing his face more than normal. When I checked I found a looped piece of worm.
I just wanted members aware of this possible problem.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/donut.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/donut1.jpg

[Stefan-A]

Make bigger pieces.

[guidofatherof5]

Make bigger pieces.

These are mega night crawlers. Can't go any smaller unless I cut my initial pieces in half.
I can't get smaller worms.

[ConcinusMan]

Worm jello is called for perhaps? Poor lil' guy got gagged!

Never had anything like that happen to me but it's good to know it could happen and to watch for it.

[i_heart_sneakie_snakes]

I had that happen to my original Sneakie Snake 3 or 4 times during the whole time I owned her. She was full grown and I never cut up her worms, so it happened a little differently. She would end up with both ends of the worm in her mouth and then when they were going down it formed the loop. She could chew thru them, but I would just snip the loop so it was easier for her :)

[Stefan-A]

These are mega night crawlers. Can't go any smaller unless I cut my initial pieces in half.
I can't get smaller worms.
Good news, then. I said bigger, not smaller. :D

[ConcinusMan]

I know what Stefan meant. Make them a bit longer so they don't form rings. So they are more like a piece of macaroni. If the snake shoves the lower jaw into the tunnel, they will realize their mistake when they can't find the end of that tunnel!

[guidofatherof5]

I just need smaller worms not bigger pieces or quicker growing snakes:D