|
1-9 of 9 messages
|
Page 1 of 1
|
|
Braining...
|
Reply
|
|
by LarryDFishel on July 29, 2005
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Here's a question I've been meaing to ask for a while. Most snakes seem to be able to reliably find the head when preparing to eat, but some go poking around from one end to the other a few times first. It looks to me as if they are smelling or possibly feeling more than looking at the prey. While I've never had to try it so far, many people suggest "braining" for problem eaters. Since it would not be normal in the wild for a prey's brains to be hanging out, I wonder why this stimulates feeding more than say, a little blood. Do you think the brain just happens to smell like something else that is normally exposed or can a snake actually smell an animals brain while it's inside the skull? This sounds like a stretch, but if so it would not only explain why braining works, but one way the snake finds the right end to start eating.
I've read research showing which direction frogs will walk if you place them on different sides of their ponds, so surely someone has gotten bored enough to research exactly how snakes find the head, right?
|
| |
|
RE: Braining...
|
Reply
|
|
by keyz on July 29, 2005
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
i have always noticed especially my Royal python that it always seems to "prod" and push with his nose i always thought he was finding the "bony" bit as he has been nown in the past to almost nuzzle and look puzzeled as if to say if only i could move this dead thing it will put its head in my mouth. this has taken him upwards of an hour but never refuses a feed no matter how long it takes to find the head. But on the other hand my male corn will regurge a chick as soon as it reaches its neck if broken and i have always wonderd why this was . i have fed my dumerils largely by hand since ive had her and it NEVER matters what part i offer her and she will continue to eat as long as i put food in her mouth this is the ONLY snake that has ever let me truly hand feed to the point that she will let me "push" the food down her throat. Sometimes she will respond to the bloody part and sometimes the beak end as she feeds best on a chick head not brained first then mice and pretty much anything else i want to feed her total trust in this snake as an individual is quite rare especially on my part as ive had enough "hooks" in me from most of the others.But all bar one were feeding responses. None were due to a stroppy snake not yet anyway. My hognose is really hissy when feeding and is not eating yet but if he doesnt feed in two more weeks i may even try braining myself. thanks kieron
|
| |
|
RE: Braining...
|
Reply
|
|
by LarryDFishel on July 29, 2005
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
"if he doesnt feed in two more weeks i may even try braining myself."
That sounds a little extreme to me (and I'm not sure it would help). :)
I hadn't thought of feeling for the skull... Anyone else have any thoughts?
|
| |
|
RE: Braining...
|
Reply
|
|
by agkistrodude on July 29, 2005
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I've always thought that they're "feeling" for the skull rather than smelling for it.Once they find the head it goes down easier.I've also wondered what it is about braining that gets them to eat.It sure works though. Marty
|
| |
|
RE: Braining...
|
Reply
|
|
by Phobos on July 30, 2005
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Larry:
Finally a great question, other than the normal expert forum "crap" that gets posted.
I too find it strange they get stimulated to feed by "braining" since this is seldom if ever encountered by a snake in a natural setting.
One thing I have noticed with a few of my picky feeders of F/T like my Echis. With F/T thawed they will nose the mouse and tongue flick it from head to toe but not really try to eat it. If I remove the mouse and open its mouth, put it back, the snake homes in on the oral cavity right away and the jaw open and eating starts.
I suggest that they are searching for a strong source odor (taste) other than urine that Tom suggests. That odor could be from the oral cavity or the crainial cavity it may not matter to them, just that it's not feces/urine.
If you have one that prefers "Braining" try an incision to enlarge the oral cavity and see what happens.
Cheers!
Al
|
| |
|
RE: Braining...
|
Reply
|
|
by ALA_herp31 on July 30, 2005
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
This has always baffled me too. I have had a few Ball Pythons, Colubrids and a lot of Venomous Snakes do this very thing. They seem to want to play with Their Food, rather than eat it right away. The proses always starts by Killing the Pray, then rubbing Their nose all over the Animal they just Killed. I have had Snakes do this for 30min. or so, before finally eating the poor thing. It dose make me wonder if they are actually playing with Their Food. I know that Snakes are not the Brightest Animals on Earth, but I think it could just be Pure Curiosity “who knows”. Now as for braining Pray, I have no idea what the stimulation is. It has to be the smell of Blood, but why dose it not work just to cutting the Leg or Belly open. A true mystery to be solved, maybe one day we will get this one “LOL”...............Be safe ya’ll, happy herping Wally
|
| |
|
RE: Braining...
|
Reply
|
|
by Cro on July 30, 2005
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Many years before braining came into practice, many zoos were using pliars to crush the noses of pinks, rats, frogs, and mice that were offered to problem feeders. This released some scent from the sinus cavity and some blood, that the snakes seemed to zero in on, and encouraged feeding. We also used to crush the noses of anole lizards to do the same before offering them to problem feeders. Best Regards JohnZ
|
| |
|
RE: Braining...
|
Reply
|
|
by keyz on August 2, 2005
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Larry you may be pleased to know that my own braining is coming up lol. seriously 4 days and im gonna do it i mean it dont try to stop me its time LOL. Keys.
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Manager.
|
