YAY!!!! They truly are the best snakes in the world!!!! :)

[luvmychicknkids]

I am pretty excited! The two new snakes I bought my son for his birthday (see this thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=122769 ) are used to eating live rats. Both have scars and Eve (the female) has a recent injury on her back. I am certain they are from feeding mishaps. I DO NOT feed live because of the risk to my snakes and because of the stress to the rat or mouse. So, I bought these planning to try and switch them to frozen thawed, KNOWING it can be almost impossible. Well, I fed them this morning.....armed with warm rats and a pair of tongs, I took a deep breath and WOW....both snakes immediately took their rat and "killed" it without giving it a second thought!!!! Good babies!!! I am soooooooo proud of them!!!!!

 

[Buster]

One thing we used to do was knock the live rats unconscious before feeding. That way it was still live but couldn't harm the snake. Good luck with yours!

 

[HorseFeathers]

Yayyy!!!

I had a baby corn snake, caught wild, that willingly accepted frozen pinkies... I was so proud of her!

 

[luvmychicknkids]

Thanks.

So far I am really impressed with how sweet these two are and how agreeable they have been!!!! My kingsnake has always eaten frozen thawed so I never had to worry about her. I was really worried these guys would refuse to eat. Knocking the rat out may have been my only alternative if they refused but thankfully they were good snakies.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

Quote:
Awwwwww......I never see cornsnakes wild around here (don't guess we have them???). I bet she was a sweetie.

 

[HorseFeathers]

Quote:
Awwwwww......I never see cornsnakes wild around here (don't guess we have them???). I bet she was a sweetie.

Yes, she was from an island in Casco Bay... tried to bite my friend but after a bit she became the most darling snake!

 

[luvmychicknkids]

I have had a king that was a bit snippy at first, too, but with lots of love they get so sweet.

It amazes me how my snakes really do know me and seem to enjoy my attention.

 

[HorseFeathers]

Quote:
The interesting thing was that my friend did not like snakes at ALL... Bet Milkyway (yeah, a real creative name, I know

I named her after another cornsnake, that I ha when I was 6 or 7...) knew that!

 

[luvmychicknkids]

Quote:
The interesting thing was that my friend did not like snakes at ALL... Bet Milkyway (yeah, a real creative name, I know

I named her after another cornsnake, that I ha when I was 6 or 7...) knew that!

I wouldn't be too surprised. They pick up on a LOT. My kingsnake Oreo (yeah, LOL, equally creative here) has been held by non snake lovers and she really seemed nervous....and she is one of the calmest most relaxed snakes I have ever seen. They really do seem to KNOW.

 

[HorseFeathers]

Just like horses know when you're nervous. I think all animals must know that. My cat will go over and shed on anyone who's allergic.