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Q:
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Western Hognose Feeding Conundrum
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My albino western hognose, Captain Pineapple, refuses to eat f/t. I got him to take a couple right after I got him, but it's been live live live ever since. The only serious issue I have with this is: he just starts eating! There is no killing or subduing involved whatsoever, no matter which end he starts from. Now that he's on to hoppers, I get really nervous for his eyes (they kick and scratch!), to the point where I have to hold their little legs back while he devours them.
My question is: will he ever get the killing/subduing part down? His "venom" doesn't really seem to be having any effect on these guys...they kick and scratch the whole way down. If the answer to this question is no, then I reluctantly ask: how does one stun (but not kill) a hopper mouse while being humane? I think the switch from f/t to live will be a looooong road.
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Assisted Answer
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8/30/2010 8:58:49 PM
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aSnakeLovinBabe
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Try offering a freskly killed mouse and gently wiggle it with a pair of tongs, just as a live one would be wriggling around. Be gentle, patient, and let the snake come to the food... he will eat it!
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Member Comment
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8/30/2010 10:56:38 PM
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darkplatypus
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Have you tried putting him in a deli cup or other small container with a hot f/t prey item? I had a hell of a time getting my green phase hog to eat, he kept running away from his food but the deli cup trick did it and now he eats like a champ. My new baby red phase hog has no problem eating whatsoever but I still put him in a deli cup for feeding time. I think hognoses pretty much swallow their prey live from what I've seen which is why I stick to f/t.
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Assisted Answer
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8/31/2010 12:38:47 AM
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shellboa
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If you get the f/t warm enough it shouldn't be too difficult. I have had to tease mine a few times by wiggling but he generally just grabs and swallows.
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Accepted Answer
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8/31/2010 1:30:28 AM
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FyreFocks
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I force piping hot, wet prey items right up into their cute little noses and hold it there. Sometimes i actually push with enough force to move them backwards. It becomes a fight and eventually the f/t food loses.
You.
Should.
Pick.
Up.
Your.
Phone.
More.
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Author Comment
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8/31/2010 8:49:19 AM
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Skelegirl
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I guess I forgot to mention: waving f/t prey in front of him makes him MAD! He doesn't actually bite @ it, though. Just huffs and lunges. I've tried leaving him overnight in a deli cup w/ the frodent, but it's a no-go. He totally knows the difference between a live mouse and a f/t one.
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Member Comment
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8/31/2010 10:46:32 AM
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joe farah
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well i love the name you picked out for him :-)
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Assisted Answer
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8/31/2010 10:47:08 AM
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FyreFocks
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I dont wave them in front of him. I smush the prey item up against their noses. If the snakes backs away from the prey, i push further. If they push forward, its a good sign that they will bite eventually.
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Member Comment
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9/1/2010 10:41:50 AM
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Acheron_08
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how i stunned my rats is a way my friend speedy showed me i take there little tails and give them a good whack on a hard surface and it instantly breaks there necks :) i know sounds cruel but its instant:) i hope you can get him on f/t hey maybe you can sent the forzeen item maybe with a lizard of some chicken broth work for a couple of my carpets and baby corns :) but my male corn rayden use to eat like that just start sollowing live. so when he started that i quickly switch him lol
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Member Comment
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9/25/2010 7:49:26 AM
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Cryptic Carpets
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Hognoses are not capable of killing a mouse, so by the time it's big enough to feed on hoppers (which can bite back), it must be on frozen/thawed or prekiled. Since it's not currently eating dead ice, pour a little juice from a can of tuna or salmon on it. The scent gets them excited for some reason even though they don't eat fish. This has worked for me every time. Good luck!
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Assisted Answer
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9/25/2010 8:51:04 AM
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FyreFocks
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I totally wish i had a video of the time that all my hognoses killed their live prey before eating them.
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Member Comment
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9/25/2010 5:28:32 PM
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Member Comment
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2/2/2011 3:39:21 AM
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abi21491
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This question has had no activity for 14 days and will be closed by an administrator unless the original poster takes action. Recommended Action: Points awarded An administrator will select responses and assign points at their discretion. Original poster, please close this question out and assign points. If you have any further information in the resolution of your problem, please post it here so that others may learn from it.
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