Update: Feeding my L. zonata pulchra

On January, 2nd I got my first two snakes - two beautiful Lampropeltis zonata pulchra CB 2008 - from Peter Zürcher.

They feed very well, but the female does only eat, when I hold her in my hand (close behind her head) and gently push her mouth against the pinky. No other method worked until now. But if I do this, it bites into the pinky in seconds. Funny, huh?

Some shots from today, beginning with the male, which is a bit longer (not much) and more active and curious than the female and also prefers this feeding method:

Update: Feeding my L. zonata pulchra Zonata10

Update: Feeding my L. zonata pulchra Zonata10

And now for the lady:

Update: Feeding my L. zonata pulchra Zonata11

Update: Feeding my L. zonata pulchra Zonata12

I would never suggest to anybody to start with juvenile zonatas, as they're not known as excellent feeders.
But Guenter seems to have a good hand for these, congratulations!
By the way: Nice pictures again (I've already been waiting for them)
May I publish one of'em on my website?
Cheers
Peter

Peter, sure. Any of my snake photos are free for Your use. In fact I alway enjoy it when my photos make it to Your website. BTW: the CD from our last shooting is on the way.

I thought a lot about why this feeding method may work. My conclusion:
As I fix the snake when she is confronted with the pinky, she is unable to get away from this "enemy" (my zonatas are very shy at the moment, even from each other) and her only possibility is to defend herself with a bite. Once biten, the feeding instinct takes place and she begins swallowing.

Is this complete nonsense or has anyone similar experiences?

You're not the first one to have trouble getting neonate L. zonata to feed Guenter. They're tricky to get started most of the time. There are many methods used, yours seems to be working well with you. Try leaving your babies in a confined space overnight with the pinky. A small paper bag stapled closed works well. You will often find the pinky gone in the morning. You might also try killing the pink and exposing the brain tissue, I'm not certain why this works but it does in a lot of cases. Real pretty little babies by the way, and they stay that way as they grow.

Quote :: Is this complete nonsense or has anyone similar experiences?

I see this feeding behaviors by many snakes. My Boiga cyanea do it the same way. She bites to defend herself and starting to eat.
( Sometimes 10 strikes ). Ahaetulla prasina as well.
I have kept Lampropeltis pyromelana knoblochi and they were also very tricky to feed.

Cheers Fabian

Well, in fact, they are not really tricky to feed if I do it the way described.
Brain tissue helps too, I know, but only in combination with the hand feeding technique.

Funny, I found it out myself ;-)

Thanks for the informations so far!

Quote :: You're not the first one to have trouble getting neonate L. zonata to feed Guenter

These are not neonates, Scotty, they hatched in August 2008 and have been feeding well on live pinkies for at least 10 times at my facility.
But if they have to establish in a completely new environment again, they can switch into a difficult to accept food - mode and have to be "started" again by the new owner.
Peter

Cause I do not have live mice, they needed to get used to dead pinkies. Maybe THE reason.
We are all very happy with them. My children and even my wife often stand in front of the terrarium and watch them, when they go on excursion when the light goes off at 6pm. Smile

And me too, I can tell You!

Congrats Guenter! They are gorgeous. I'm sure she will start to take food on her own once you kick start her appetite again.

Update: Cleopatra, my female L. zonata pulchra, having her dinner, a living mouse (juvenile but rather large):

Update: Feeding my L. zonata pulchra Cleopa10

Update: Feeding my L. zonata pulchra Cleopa10

Guest

Very nice... will there be any at Houten.... Rolling Eyes

I won't be there. No time, to far and no need for at the moment.
I think L. zonata pulchra may be rather rare. I am really happy to have this pair. I got it from Peter Zürcher.

Quote :: will there be any at Houten..

Maybe, who kows?
On purchase order, they will be there.

regards
Peter

Sorry for misusing your thread to introduce these beauties, Guenter.

Lampropeltis zonata parvirubra (San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake) with really few amounts of red:
Update: Feeding my L. zonata pulchra 161_6110

Update: Feeding my L. zonata pulchra 161_6110

and a contrary colored specimen - both of'em from the same clutch:
Update: Feeding my L. zonata pulchra 161_6111

I'm sure you have some better pictures of these, Guenter, and you should post'em here - i just couldn't wait. - sorry again.

Cheers
Peter

No, that's OK Peter - it fits here.
BTW - took some shots of the parvirubra too when I was visiting You.

You posted a picture of the "black and white" specimen in another thread already - but please more!
Peter

I will - so many acceptable shots on my harddisk from these three days, I often simply cannot decide which to postprocess, and more than one or two a day is no good idea, because I need 30 minutes upt to 1 hour per shot. The concentration is the problem then, I'm getting old Very Happy

But some parvirubra shots will follow for sure!