I agree with Kathy that we should not breed those with poor feeding responses. I wonder though, if the animals that don't want to feed on mice are waiting for something else?

I had a WC corn juvy for a while that would have nothing to do with mice. However, it ate fence lizards with gusto! I eventually let it go rather than singlehandedly deplete the local lizard population. Its possible that wild neonates may also go for young tree frogs, which are super abundant around these parts.

It could be that individual variation in food preference is a pro-survival trait - what we see as a doomed individual that won't feed on mice might do very well on frogs or lizards. This trait would be selected for by annual variations in the relative abundace of prey.

Interestingly, of the several litters my creamsicles produced, only the first litter needed any force feeding - all the rest went right to it!

Regards,

John D



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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"

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