CAV
Dazed and Cornfused
Well........
Yesterday was hatchling feeding day and I'm currently engaged in a battle of wits with 8 hatchlings. Here is the breakdown:
A) 2 eating x2 pinkies
B) 2 eating x1 pinkie
C) 2 eating when the mood hits (~10-15 days)
D) 2 have never fed since hatching.
The good news:
I have been having fits with the two that refuse all meals. I have tried everything: live, brained, heads, in the dark, in the cup, standing on my head, ect. Out of desperation, I finally grabbed some anoles for scenting. Rubbed the heck out of a couple of pinks and waited with baited breath. Result: After five hours in the cup and seven weeks without food, ONE FINALLY ATE!!!!!!!!
The bad news:
As I was moved everyone into their feeding containers I noticed that one was very still. Upon further inspection I realized that it had recently expired. This was one of my best feeders. It was the first to eat every time and was moving up to 2 per feeding. I keep everyone on paper so impaction wasn't the cause.
Lessons learned:
1) For everyone asking how long a hatchling can go without food, the answer is "at least 7 weeks"
2) Sometimes it just isn't meant to be. Not every hatchling will make it adulthood, regardless of what you try or how good your husbandry may be. No rhyme, no reason.
3) The one that "isn't meant to be" will of course be your FEMALE HYPO LAV WITH A PERFECT PATTERN!!!!! (If you want a snake that eats every time get a baby BRB.)
Yesterday was hatchling feeding day and I'm currently engaged in a battle of wits with 8 hatchlings. Here is the breakdown:
A) 2 eating x2 pinkies
B) 2 eating x1 pinkie
C) 2 eating when the mood hits (~10-15 days)
D) 2 have never fed since hatching.
The good news:
I have been having fits with the two that refuse all meals. I have tried everything: live, brained, heads, in the dark, in the cup, standing on my head, ect. Out of desperation, I finally grabbed some anoles for scenting. Rubbed the heck out of a couple of pinks and waited with baited breath. Result: After five hours in the cup and seven weeks without food, ONE FINALLY ATE!!!!!!!!
The bad news:
As I was moved everyone into their feeding containers I noticed that one was very still. Upon further inspection I realized that it had recently expired. This was one of my best feeders. It was the first to eat every time and was moving up to 2 per feeding. I keep everyone on paper so impaction wasn't the cause.
Lessons learned:
1) For everyone asking how long a hatchling can go without food, the answer is "at least 7 weeks"
2) Sometimes it just isn't meant to be. Not every hatchling will make it adulthood, regardless of what you try or how good your husbandry may be. No rhyme, no reason.
3) The one that "isn't meant to be" will of course be your FEMALE HYPO LAV WITH A PERFECT PATTERN!!!!!
(If you want a snake that eats every time get a baby BRB.)
