Eating Styles

[The Snake Whisperer]

I've seen all of those styles except I haven't yet had one who was a thief. The only true noneaters I've had have all been young babies. I did notice that some of the noneater babies were from a litter that were weaker at birth than the other litters (I had 5 litters born all within the time period between August 1 to August 18.) This makes me wonder if noneaters are babies that are similar to what dog breeders call "fading puppies". Perhaps noneaters, weak babies, stillborns etc, happen when a mother has an infection while pregnant, just as this happens occasionally in domestic mammal pets.

[The Snake Whisperer]

Regardless of eating styles, all my snakes neatly wipe their faces after eating, well as neatly as a snake can wipe its face with what it has to work with.

The one eating style that totally shocked me two days ago was the snake who learned to eat out of a spoon! That one may end up being a keeper simply because of its developing that amazing behavior.

[guidofatherof5]

I've seen all of those styles except I haven't yet had one who was a thief. The only true noneaters I've had have all been young babies. I did notice that some of the noneater babies were from a litter that were weaker at birth than the other litters (I had 5 litters born all within the time period between August 1 to August 18.) This makes me wonder if noneaters are babies that are similar to what dog breeders call "fading puppies". Perhaps noneaters, weak babies, stillborns etc, happen when a mother has an infection while pregnant, just as this happens occasionally in domestic mammal pets.

I don't think there is any definitive answer to why there are non-eaters and the "failure to thrive" snakes. Other than the natural course of life.
It's one area I'd like to get some answers to but lack the education and money to do anything about it.

[ConcinusMan]

I think it's actually necessary, meaning, those smaller "failure to thrive" snakes, are nearly always a small part of any garter snake litter, particularly the large litters, and just might be an important source of food for animals that cannot catch the healthier, stronger baby snakes. In other words, even though their lives are often short, they do have purpose in the big picture. Nature wastes nothing.

[ConcinusMan]

Regardless of eating styles, all my The one eating style that totally shocked me two days ago was the snake who learned to eat out of a spoon! That one may end up being a keeper simply because of its developing that amazing behavior.

I wouldn't call that amazing, my snakes would eat off of a fork, or anything else that has food on it.

[Mommy2many]

I can honestly say I have witnessed each eating style in my group of babies. I have had the Thief and/or thieves. I have had the "grab and go", the one who sits at the food dish and indulges (practically cannot take his head of the rim of the dish) the one who waits patiently by the side, the non-eaters, the gorgers(mostly the females, I would have to say) The food fights,etc.

I love to watch them snag their dinner then slither to the other side in record speed. Little do they know, there is no one in pursuit! My Dekayi is a thief as well as a victim, so good for him! I stand guard with my scissors to cut any worm in half/thirds/quarters that I have to.

[guidofatherof5]

I feed a lot of snakes. Most of that feeding this year has been to babies(radix). I've observed many eating styles and thought I would share the different styles I've seen and the names I've given them. Please feel free to add anything I've missed.

Eating Styles

#1 Grab and go: This is where the snake rushes in at first smell/sight of food, grabs a piece and heads to the other end of the enclosure.

#2 Focused/sit and eat: Here the snake simply sits at the food dish and fills up. They are not rushed or hurried. No stealing, no fighting, no interest in any other snake or anything else that is going on.

#3. Chaser/Stealer/Thief: Here the snake ignores the food dish and focuses on anyone with food in their mouth. They will travel across the food dish to attempt to steal food.

#4. Ambusher: This snake waits in the hide for someone to return with food. Once back to the hide they attempt to steal the meal.

#5 Gobbler/Gulper: These snakes swallow as much food as fast as they can. They are nervous and easily turn into a thief.

#6 Silent/invisible: These snakes seem invisible to everyone eating. They move in and out of the food dish. They are not challenged or harassed by anyone. They don't eat fast and never stop moving.

#7 Waiters: These snakes don't attempt to eat or show any interest in what's going on. They wait until the vast majority of the other snakes have eaten. They then slowly move in and eat. If a lot of activity returns to the food dish they simply move off and wait until things calm down again.

#8 Non-eaters: These snakes may visit the food dish or not. They may look like they are going to eat but then lose interest and move off. They may or may not watch others eat and show no interest in eating themselves. They do not show any aggression towards anyone eating. These are the snakes that are most likely to die from "failure to thrive". Aggressive feeding strategies are need to get these snakes started. It should also be noted that these snakes may not survive even if aggressive strategies are used.

* Non- eaters help: In my experience I have found guppies and earthworms(not night crawlers) to be the food items to ignite these snakes into eating. It should also be known that sometimes nothing works for these snakes as they are destine to die from starvation. I personally will euthanize them before this happens. I have also had non-eaters start eating and then out of the blue stop eating and die. I believe these snakes are developmentally behind and in the wild would have died much earlier. The bright spot is the fact some of them do live and thrive.

I thought I had seen it all until recently. The addition to the list is #4 the Ambusher.

[zooplan]

Sounds like the caracters of an adventure game

[guidofatherof5]

Sounds like the caracters of an adventure game

That's a great idea. We could call it "The Bush Snake Adventures" We can be partners on the idea Udo. What do you think?

I've always had an idea of a Thamnophis trivia game. I'd call it "Thamtrivia"

[guidofatherof5]

I feed a lot of snakes. Most of that feeding this year has been to babies(radix). I've observed many eating styles and thought I would share the different styles I've seen and the names I've given them. Please feel free to add anything I've missed.

Eating Styles

#1 Grab and go: This is where the snake rushes in at first smell/sight of food, grabs a piece and heads to the other end of the enclosure.

#2 Focused/sit and eat: Here the snake simply sits at the food dish and fills up. They are not rushed or hurried. No stealing, no fighting, no interest in any other snake or anything else that is going on.

#3. Chaser/Stealer/Thief: Here the snake ignores the food dish and focuses on anyone with food in their mouth. They will travel across the food dish to attempt to steal food.

#4. Ambusher: This snake waits in the hide for someone to return with food. Once back to the hide they attempt to steal the meal.

#5 Gobbler/Gulper: These snakes swallow as much food as fast as they can. They are nervous and easily turn into a thief.

#6 Silent/invisible: These snakes seem invisible to everyone eating. They move in and out of the food dish. They are not challenged or harassed by anyone. They don't eat fast and never stop moving.

#7 Waiters: These snakes don't attempt to eat or show any interest in what's going on. They wait until the vast majority of the other snakes have eaten. They then slowly move in and eat. If a lot of activity returns to the food dish they simply move off and wait until things calm down again.

#8 Non-eaters: These snakes may visit the food dish or not. They may look like they are going to eat but then lose interest and move off. They may or may not watch others eat and show no interest in eating themselves. They do not show any aggression towards anyone eating. These are the snakes that are most likely to die from "failure to thrive". Aggressive feeding strategies are need to get these snakes started. It should also be noted that these snakes may not survive even if aggressive strategies are used.

* Non- eaters help: In my experience I have found guppies and earthworms(not night crawlers) to be the food items to ignite these snakes into eating. It should also be known that sometimes nothing works for these snakes as they are destine to die from starvation. I personally will euthanize them before this happens. I have also had non-eaters start eating and then out of the blue stop eating and die. I believe these snakes are developmentally behind and in the wild would have died much earlier. The bright spot is the fact some of them do live and thrive.

I spotted another eating style but won't add it to my official group.
I call it the "Peanut Gallery" eaters.
This is a small group of young radixes that have claimed a planter I places in their enclosure.
When it's feeding time they simply pop their heads out of the plant material and wait for me to feed them.
They grab a piece of food off the hemostats and retreat under the plant material.
They have decided there is no need to leave their hide in order to get fed.
Can you say "spoiled"