When I was at the same conference that Al attended in California, it was interesting to note how one of the researchers only had feeding success when he placed all of the baby timbers into the same enclosure. Having bred and raised quite a few baby timbers, I have never encountered this phenomenon or challenge; I house my baby timbers individually and they all feed well w/in a reasonable period of time. I can't imagine trying to keep a brood of baby timbers, much less any species, healthy in that type of environment as it would be difficult to determine whose feeding and whose not. Personally, I would double check the set up to make sure that the temps/humidity/light/security-hide areas/substrate/water are all at the proper levels. As Al mentioned, this snake could just be in a dormant phase and if so, you'll just have to wait it out and keep the animal as stress-free as possible until spring. You might even consider cooling the baby down to the upper 50's/low 60's for a few weeks and then crank the heat up and see if that wakes him up a bit (has worked for me). Some baby rattlers need to see a warmed prey item just barely wriggling in front of them (I will usually offer prey at dusk). Hope this helps a bit.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>Yes, just try to keep them about the same size. Also, some groups (Canebrakes) have a more neurotoxic venom than "Normal"
>>which requires a faster medical response.
>>
>>
>>Al
>>-----
>>Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

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