Behavior-Based Feeding for Snakes: Part One

Lesson Plan:
Scheduled vs. randomized feeding
When to feed based on a totality of factors
Body condition and weight
Recognizing hunger vs. habit
The importance of knowing your snake(s)
www.behaviored...
Resources:
onlinelibrary....
jeb.biologists...
jeb.biologists...
www.journals.u...
www.journals.u...
www.jstor.org/...

[@Placidtrip]

Lori, I really appreciate all you do! I got my first snake last year and the information I found / received about snake care was very... basic. Watching your videos has revolutionized the way I think about my pet snake, how to provide the best life for her, and how to have a positive relationship with her :) We both thank you very much! 💜

[@alliegator1372]

Thanks I couldn’t find food ones in my search in you list

[@stephaniedralansohana1756]

I'm so happy to watch this. I have a rescue pacman frog. Pikachu is a very difficult eater. So I try behavior based feeding for my frog and yes he didn't refuse his food. I'm so happy. I observe him, film him at nights.

[@LoriTorrini]

Excellent!

[@snakemannn1744]

Yes Lori i really needed to know this and i will keep this in my brain as my future ones come along ...... this time around it is gonna be right .... " Handshakes " ,,,,, I do love the way u teach it is appreciated '

[@snakemannn1744]

Great job Lori ,,,,, well educated on the situations there of '

[@jamesbarrentine9238]

I know this video will help several people. Great work.

[@DanMaganoSnakes]

On lunch so can’t watch it all but good stuff as far as I made it!

[@LoriTorrini]

Thanks! There’s a part two as well so it may take you a few lunch breaks to watch them both!

[@nataliaprado2337]

Great video, very informative. Can't wait for the part 2!

[@Shades1535]

Excellent presentation Lori

[@LoriTorrini]

Thank you!

[@waynedryden6737]

This looks like a good way to get a shy snake more confident, by waiting for behavior before feeding. I usually just put the food in front of the snake that kind of robs the snake the opportunity to express itself. When its out Ill then have a chance for practice choice based handling and maybe have more success with puzzle feeding. Will a hungry snake always go hunting for food?

[@LoriTorrini]

They will at lease start sticking their head and neck out which is a beginning.

[@waynedryden6737]

@@LoriTorrini Is there a maximum I should wait in case on don't see any behavior?

[@LoriTorrini]

@@waynedryden6737 What species of snake are you working with?

[@waynedryden6737]

@@LoriTorrini 2 year old corn snake

[@waynedryden6737]

I hear some guys say a month...

[@aliensyndrome1]

Thank you for another amazing and informative video!🙂

[@PardoNdSchuman]

Great video Lori! Love the work you’re doing! I know you any many others are encouraging me to push my husbandry. Keep it up 👍

[@HaleySelen]

I love the idea of behavior-based feeding! In terms of other factors to consider, is there a good resource for finding out normal metabolism/digestion time for different species? I have a Great Plains Rat Snake that stopped pooping between our scheduled weekly feedings. She would only poop if I took her out for exercise, but I'm now realizing that she was quite stressed during these times out of her habitat. (We'll work on choice-based handling for that!!) Do I just need to give her more time to digest and let her tell me when she's ready to eat again?

[@LoriTorrini]

There are specific papers published on Python digestion and Cornsnake digestion that I have read and gone over in detail with my Patrons. I would suggest going to Google Scholar and searching for any papers detailing the digestive physiology of the particular species you’re working with.

[@Gottalovecarpetpythons]

NOw that is the way to do it, l watch and l can tell when a snake is hungry. No scheldule here at all, l have some that go a week and l have some that go almost a month. For example, my Darwind sits in the same spot and a certian position and she can do this sometimes in a week after feeding, or she might go a fortnight. l feed different feeders but l can only get chicks to offer variety. l sometimes give certain ones a mouse, but only the ones that l know wont then refuse other feeders.Lily is out everynight but she only goes to a spot and naps the time away, she is not eating at this time and she does this every year at this time, it is just what she does and it is nice and warm, my other little snakes are looking for food more often over the warmer months, you just need to know your snakes.