Last updated on April 7, 2024
Introduction
Your snake hasn’t eaten in a while and it is loosing weight, you have tried everything to get the snake to eat. It is time to force feed the snake which can seem a difficult task below is the basics of force feeding.Get a reptile vet to assist you with force feeding if you are unsure of your snake handling ability
Force Feeding Using Solid Food
Cut the head off a pre-killed pinkie mouse
Grasp the pinkie mouse head in a pair of tweezers
Hold the snake gently but firmly just behind the head
Slowly and very gently push the pinkie head against the snakes lips until the snake should open its mouth and grasp the pinkie head
The snake may begin to swallow the pinkie head on its own
If the snake does not want to swallow the pinkie by itself use a thin steel or plastic rod to gently push the food down the snakes throat
Once you have pushed the pinkie past the snakes neck massage the pinkie towards the snakes stomach using your fingers
The snakes stomach is situated about a third of its length measured from the head .Once the pinkie head has been swallowed leave the snake alone in a warm cage dark cage to digest the food.It is easier to force feed solid food to smaller snakes.
Tube Feeding
You will need a plastic syringe with a 3ml to 5ml capacity.For the tube use a soft rubber or silicone tub. Aquarium tubing works we.
Attach the tub to the end of the syringe
Fill the syringe will liquidised cat food or beaten egg.If using beaten egg add calcium and vitamin powder.If the snake is an adult get a friend to hold the snakes body
Hold the snakes head and open its mouth by gently pressing on either side of its jaw
.Lubricate the tube with water.
Push the tube down the snakes throat just past the neck.
Slowly push the syringe and empty the contents into the snakes stomach.
Remove the syringe and keep the snakes mouth closed for a few seconds to prevent regurgitation.
Place the snake back in its cage and make sure it has adequate heat
Tube feeding is easier with larger snakes.
Be very gentle as snakes have extremely delicate skulls and skeletal structure.