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Anyone know what chain stores feed their hatchlings?

Jonathan P

Jonathan P

New member
I just came home with a new hatchling 3 days ago. He/she is set up in a pre-prepared Viv and was left alone for 48 hours. I attempted to have her feed on a very small pinky in a small container.

I don't think he/she touched it overnight. So I cleaned out the remains and have him/her resting in the Viv.

The pet store will not confirm his/her last feeding nor tell me what they feed their new arrivals. Can't figure it out since they will replace it for free. I don't want a replacement obviously and he/she wasn't interested in the pinky - Any suggestions?

I really hope I don't have to go to the level of senting with a lizard, but will if that is the answer. I would obviously prefer to feed him/her what he/she is used too.

From what I can tell, since it wasn't a regurge, 3 days and then try again is appropriate.
 
When you where at the pet store you should have gotten this information then but no problem. Does the snake seem healthy, flicking tongue and crawling around fast when you first got him. Leave him be for another two day, keep fresh water in Viv. Then try to feed at night in a deli cup with a secure vented lid and dim the light. Try putting a few slices on the back of the pinky.
Let us know how it's going.
 
Yeah, just try again. Your story is almost exactly like my cornsnake I bought back in '99 from one of those pet store chains. It wouldn't eat, and I ended up force-feeding her for a month until she started liking pinkies. Now an adult, she wants to eat every day if I let her. Suggestion: make some cuts along the body of the pinky with a razor blade.
 
48 days may not have been long enough for him to feel secure enough to eat, especially if you have him in a 10 or 20 gal viv. During the 3 days you're planning on waiting before giving him his next meal I suggest no handling/ distractions.

As for what chain pet stores feed their snakes..
Today I was in Pet - Co purchasing a kritter keeper for a future addition and couldn't help eyeing a nice zig zag snow. An employee came right to my "aide" and mentioned he was feeding on ft pinkies. There were also crickets in the enclosure however. It seems odd that the employee who helped you could not tell you when the snake was last fed or what it was fed on. Perhaps that store only has one reptile specialist, or possibly... (hopefully not) they're accustom to putting crickets in the snake enclosures and assuming they get eaten.
 
The petco here by me feeds F/T. Its all so where i buy my F/T feeders. Most people around here will tell you let the new snake adjust for at least three days before handling when you first bring it home. If your snake is healthy I would wait at least another three days but i would probably go more like a week before i tried feeding again.

I recently purchased my first non corn from petco it went two weeks before it ate but now it eats like a champ. I have a few corns that have gone two weeks and one that went three. I wouldn't worry to much about it as long as the snake looks healthy. They will refuse to eat for many reasons, stress from the new environment, because there getting ready to shed just to name a few.

Give it time try it again. If it dosent work the second time give it a little more time and try a live pink. I am sure yall be just fine.
 
The nearest PetCo here also feeds f/t pinkies. Last year, they had a bad ice storm and the supply truck couldn't get through. The reptile lady told me she went and snitched some of the pinkies they are supposed to sell to the customers so the snakes could eat. She could also tell me exactly what day each snake fed and how many pinkies it ate. Unfortunately, I don't think she works there any more because I haven't seen her in quite a while.
 
i think it goes to show that most chain pet stores don't really have employess that have the knowledge to care for multiple species of herps.....the one's by my house..petco..petland..petsmart all have teenagers who aren't very familiar with husbandry and feeding...not to steryotype teenages....cause their are very knowledgeable teens out there....i just think you should look for an expo or a reptile house to buy snakes.....
 
Update - He/she ate !!!

2nd attempt at leaving a pinky overnight with him/her was successful. I ended up leaving it at the opening of the warm side "cave". Somewhere between 8 - 10 hrs later (I know this because I woke up several time during the night - went into my daughter's room and checked) it was gone and there is a small lump. Yea! Hopefully this is the beginning of a long healthy feeding schedule.

Thank you all for the advice and encouraging words. :bowdown:
 
BeckyG said:
The nearest PetCo here also feeds f/t pinkies. Last year, they had a bad ice storm and the supply truck couldn't get through. The reptile lady told me she went and snitched some of the pinkies they are supposed to sell to the customers so the snakes could eat. She could also tell me exactly what day each snake fed and how many pinkies it ate. Unfortunately, I don't think she works there any more because I haven't seen her in quite a while.
Click to expand...

Score one for petco that they can actually have a amazing employee. :D (I'm sure a few good one's are scattered here and there) My local petco people avoid us customers like the plauge :(
 
Jonathan P said:
2nd attempt at leaving a pinky overnight with him/her was successful. I ended up leaving it at the opening of the warm side "cave". QUOTE]

I was going to suggest this very thing. A lot of times they are a little too shy to eat in another container and putting it outside the hide works great. Make sure it's not on the substrate though. Make sure you leave it alone for a couple of days before attempting to handle. Little babies can be fed every 5 days or so. Move to a week after they get to fuzzies. Sounds like it just needed a little more time to get acclimated.
Click to expand...
 
Preita said:
Score one for petco that they can actually have a amazing employee. :D (I'm sure a few good one's are scattered here and there) My local petco people avoid us customers like the plauge :(
Click to expand...


I agree with you there preita......nice point
 
I used to buy mice from Petco, but last time I asked to buy mice, one of the employees got really pissed because I had the nerve to ask for help so I could buy some mice. No, I didn't blow up in her face, 'cause that's too easy, and that would've put me down to their level.
 
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