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copperhead force feeding
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by bush_viper17 on March 10, 2005
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I have a small copperhead that wont eat. It was very thin when I got it but it is getting thinner by the day. I want to force feed it and I came up with a technique and want to hear from you and see if this is a good idea
I bought some pinkies, I want to dip the pinkies in Gatorade(because it has electrolytes) then blow some calcium powder onto the pinky. I will pin the snakes head with my pinner and using tweezers stick the pinky in the snakes mouth and see if he'll swallow it from there.
Ive never had to do this before so Im open to any suggestions.
Thank you
Jeremy.
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RE: copperhead force feeding
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by Scootertrash on March 10, 2005
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Hi Jeremy,
I myself have always been afraid of hurting the snake if I were to pin it behind the head. I have used tubes before to forcefeed. This way the snake has no way out and the animal is usually so miffed at me that he opens his mouth for me to use hemostats to put the pinky in his mouth. That's just me. If you do decide to pin him, be very careful not to use too much pressure. i have heard horror stories of pinnings that ended up injuring the animal.
Clayton
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RE: copperhead force feeding
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by bush_viper17 on March 10, 2005
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I have a midwest pinner. I have never really pinned a snakes head because I have never needed to. I dont have any tubes and he needs to be fed quick. It was very thin when I got it but the person who gave it to me assured me that it would eat. I would hate for this snake to die.
I have three more copperheads that are in excellent condition and I hope to get this one fattened up. Thanks for the tips.
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RE: copperhead force feeding
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by Cro on March 10, 2005
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Jeremy:
I would not worry about the gatoraid. The small amount that would stick to the pinky would not help much, and might flavor the pink so that the snake would spit it out. Just getting him to eat the pink would help a lot. Tubing would be the safest for you and the snake. You can often buy clear tubing at home depos and lowes and make a tube. Just size it so he cant double back once he enters the tube, and at a length that allows you to hold the 1/3 or so of the snakes tail section so you can keep him from backing out, or push him forward. You can use the PVC plastic plumbing pipe also, but you cant see the snake through it, so it is not as good. I have made snake tubes by taking the clear plastic covers you find on notebooks, and rolling it around a wood dowel several times, and then taping it around in several places. This is thick enough to protect you from his fangs, and flexable enough to squeeze the tube some to help control his position. Cut a hole in a cardboard box the same diameter as the tube, poke the tube just into the hole, put the snake in the box, and steer him into the "hole" which is the entrance to the tube. Then let him crawl down until just half his head is poking out, and hold him in place. Then take your forceps, or chopsticks if you dont have forceps, and coax the pink into his mouth. After he hooks it with his fangs, gently set the tube and snake down and hopefully, he will keep swallowing. If he spits it up, try again and again. Usually, the snake will finish swallowing. Gook Luck! JohnZ
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RE: copperhead force feeding
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by Phobos on March 10, 2005
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Jeremy:
I posted this thread a few weeks ago on this topic...it works very well.
http://www.venomousreptiles.org/forums/Experts/13996
Diamond Butt Al
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RE: copperhead force feeding
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by thenewdisciple on March 10, 2005
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i had problem copperheads earlier this year. have you tried braining the pinky? if you didnt know braining is where you take a razor to a live pink, or freshly killed and slice its skull open to reveal its brain. this got most of them eating, or try scenting with a frog, i bought a green tree frog from a pet store for this, that got the rest of them eating. worst case scenario.. feed him the frog. before putting his food in put him in a small container and throw him in a closet, let him get used to it and then drop his food in, id give him a night to get used to his temporary home though. also give him a pinky smaller than what you think he should be eating.i doubt the pinning tech
will work, the snake will be too worried about getting out of your grasp to eat.
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RE: copperhead force feeding
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by Cro on March 10, 2005
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Thats a kool idea about the Foam Paint Brush Al. Sure would be a lot safer for the snake than using a regular hook to pin with, and would control it well.
John
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RE: copperhead force feeding
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by agkistrodude on March 10, 2005
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I agree with tubing being the best method for you and the snake.I've done it many times.Also alot of petstores sell ridgid clear plastic tubing for aquariums in several diameters that might work.But I would try the "braining" technique first.Its not as gross as it sounds and it really works great.I like to save force feeding as a very last resort.I also have one that won't eat anything but frogs.Maybe try something besides pinkies.Good luck, Marty
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RE: copperhead force feeding
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by jared on March 10, 2005
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Agkistrodon seem to be like bothrops inthe fact that they prefer there prey to carry heavier scent, ie mice with hair. I have produced all the ssp with great success and found that if you offer neonate coppers pinks they may or may not take it but if you offer very small (VERY)fuzzies at dusk, ones that just barely have hair, they will takethem 9 out of 10 times. Also tubing is a but better idea than pinning as young aggie have very flexible bone structure in there skull and its amazing how far they can stretch there fangs when there that small. Good luckwith them,
Jared
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RE: copperhead force feeding
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by Phobos on March 11, 2005
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Hi All:
Some "anonymous" slimebag impersonating Phillip posted some "trash" that was removed.
Cro:
Thanks for the comment but Kristin of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo told me about the trick they developed and use.
Cheers!
Diamond Butt Al
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