Chris -

I put the hatchling and a live newborn pinkie in a paper lunch size bag and tape the bag closed. I put the bag in a tank or rubbermaid container so the snake doesn't escape if he gets out of the bag. I leave the bag in there for 24 hours. Doesn't work everytime, but works most of the time. It sounds to me like your male is too nervous yet to eat. If he sees anything or any movement or senses something in the room, he concentrates on the thing he sees or senses rather than eat. He'll grow out of this nervousness, but he sounds too stressed with being the smallest thing around and he doesn't know if you are going to eat him. Is he flightier than the female when you pick him up and hold him? A hatchling will eat for the breeder and then not eat for awhile or be picky when he gets to the customer. He gets used to the environment where he hatched and then we ship them hundreds of miles to a new environment where he can sense a difference in weather environments and things around him. It's frustrating, but your male isn't experiencing or doing anything some hatchlings do and need to get over that hump. I waited to make any suggestions because he needs to get used to how you are going to set him up and handle him. It seems like you change the feeding everytime you feed him. He feels like he is in a new environment every few days. We already can see that he doesn't feel comfortable in new environments at this early age so he is probably not going to eat when you feed him and have made some changes. You should probably start thinking of feeding him at the same time of day and don't change anything from the last feeding. He'll get used to his new environment and will start concentrating on the meal rather than concentrate if you are going to come in the room each time or if something has changed. Feed him the same time you feed your other snakes or the female baird. If he doesn't eat, then try the next time you feed your snakes. Don't start feeding him on his schedule or you will need to do it for him each time. It sounds opposite of what a person might think, but your attention and concentration to get him to eat is stressing him out so he doesn't eat. How many times did he eat before you got him? The breeder should know if you ask them. They should tell you especially if he isn't eating for you yet. They should tell you how many times and what time of the day and anything they know about that hatchling. Have you asked the breeder anything or communicate any concerns you have with the male baird not eating for you yet? What does the breeder say or suggest concerning your reluctant feeding male baird.



Terry Parks

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