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Having a bit of trouble...

Gripz

Gripz

New member
Hi all, I am having a bit of trouble getting one of my new born snakes to feed.
Its the first time I have bred my snakes so I am still learning.

Only 3 have shed there skin so far and I have managed to get 2 of them to eat by leaving them in a small container with a pinkie overnight and it worked just right.

But I have been trying to feed one of them for the last 2 days since it shed its skin and nothing has worked so far. I have left it in a container overnight like I did with the others and still nothing. I have cut a small hole into the pinkie brain and squeezed a bit of 'juice' out and my silly little snake just wont eat it.

I've also tried wiggling it in front of the snake with forceps but this hasn't worked either.

I don't want to force-feed my snake because firstly, I have never done it and wouldn't want to hurt my snake and secondly it would be much better for my snake to eat naturally.

I have searched the forum for this sort of problem and found something about scenting, can someone explain this a bit better for me and what I could use to scent the pinkie?

20130616_185321.jpg
 
Give it a 3 day break between. It is not uncommon for them to not eat the first couple times food is offered. Offering constantly, however, can create an aversion.
 
^^This. Also, if it's a shy baby, feed it in it's viv until it establishes. A really shy snake may never eat after being moved. I'd try live and a ton of other "tricks" before force feeding. In fact, I won't force feed ANY snake. If they don't eat, they aren't meant to make it.
 
Thanks for your help guys, so this is going to be the second night i was going to leave it overnight to try and feed, bearing in mind its 9pm here. So would what would you recommend:

1) leave her overnight again to see if she feeds
2) put her back into her home with the pinkie to feed
3) put her back into her home without the pinkie and try again tomorrow or the next day?

Thanks :)
 
Try feeding again on Wednesday night. Take a pinkie and wash it under very hot water, and leave it in the cage overnight. If it isn't taken then, put the baby in a deli cup overnight with a boiled pinky. Pour boiling water over the pink until it just turns white. If that doesn't work, we'll start talking about some plan B's. But for now, it probably needs a break from seeing and smelling food.
 
Thanks again Chip, I will go move her now and try again wednesday. Thanks
And how long until i should be getting worried about her not eating?
a week or 2?
 
I've had some corns take 6 weeks or longer. Other snakes I've had not eat all year, go through a brumation, and then eat like a horse when warmed up, so about 8 months from hatching to first meal! I don't even think twice about them not taking food the first couple of weeks. A pregnant female mouse might be something to keep on hand pretty soon, though. If brained, washed, deli'ed and boiled don't work, live might.
 
Rightio, thanks for all your help Chip :)
Im shocked about your snake surviving for 8 months, they are strong little things arent they.
 
I had a problem feeder and tried all sorts of things to get her to eat, including the suggestions here. There were 2 things that seemed to make a difference. The first was bumping up the temps just a couple of degrees. You don't mention your temps, but she preferred it around 84. Also, I put her and the pinky in a brown paper bag, folded over the top and clipped it. Be sure your baby is all the bottom so you don't risk clipping the tail. Put the bag in the viv and leave it overnight. It worked every time, and I have never had another problem with her eating.

Casey
 
I wouldn't even try for another 5-7 days. But if that doesn't work, I'd try boiled. Pour boiling water on the pink, and feed it hot, in a covered deli cup.
 
Thanks for the tips guys I'll try it again in a few days and let you know how it goes. Hopefully a few more will shed today so I can offer them food too
 
Oh yeah, try boiled. I had one of mine refuse so I immediately went and poured boiling water over the pinkie, brought it right back and it was eaten right away. Really a great trick.
 
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