Jeff,

Do you know the locality of the Aka Jimuguri that you have?
(Aka = Red....Jimuguri= Ground/Burrowing Snake)
This is the Japanese name for the snakes you own.

Those that originate from the north (Hokkaido) are smaller as adults and are often more difficult to get started on pink mice than are the larger Japanese Red Ratsnakes from the main island.
(However, the Hokkaido locale animals are much more attractive...often patternless. They look AWESOME!)

On Hokkaido, in the wild, their favorite prey item is a small vole or shrew-like mammal that the Japanese call "Sinks". I have seen these little rodents and the adults are usually smaller than your thumb. The nestling "Sinks" must be VERY SMALL.

A Japanese friend of mine (who consistently breeds this species) says that without access to "Sinks" you will have a very long process of assist feeding until they finally decide to feed voluntarily.

I would suggest offering nestling gerbils, or scenting the domestic pinky mice with White Footed Deer Mice...(Peromyscus species). You might also have luck with nestling African Soft Furred Rats. You should be able to find a ball python breeder who has them. The Europeans often call these African rodents "Many Nipple Mice" Although they do not occur in Japan, and are not related to either rats or mice...they are often the magic bullet when it comes to difficult feeders.

I hope this information will help you with your Euprepriophis conspicillata. These are rewarding captives, once you get them feeding and established. I hunt for this species every time my family and I visit Japan.
Please feel welcome to give me a call if you have any other questions. I would enjoy hearing from you.

Best wishes,
Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!
970-255-9255

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