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!!!!!
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!
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.
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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.