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Two New BABIES...NEED HELP!

python1942 Mar 16, 2006 04:01 PM

Hey everybody,

I just bought a baby super tiger and one of its siblings and they were born on March 4th. They have already gone through their first shed. I have made two attempts to feed them, the first time I tried frozen (since i had some mice in my freezer), then I tried live. Both times, the little retics didnt display any of their classic "ass kicking" demeanor when it came to food. How long does it usually take before a baby retic will take food? What is the best method to get them eating? Thank you.

Evaggelos Klonis

Replies (2)

Jim123 Mar 16, 2006 05:36 PM

First off lets start with two basic items. Make sure your temps are correct and not too cool. As hard is it is try not to handle them too much until they get settled in. Let them have their own space without being hassled.

If you have been doing the above some hatching can be a chore to get to eat. I am sure you asked the person that you bought them from if they were eating. Most breeders will not even think of selling their hatchlings without them eating a meal or two. If you are trying with thawed prey, do you offer it from hemostats? Maybe all it will take is to wiggle the prey from the hemostats to trigger the feeding response. Another idea is to warm up the prey item above the ambient temps. This also seems to help at times. Sometimes all it will take is to offer a small rat instead of the mouse. If nothing else offer a stunned prey item and keep a close eye so that they do not get injured from the rodent. Keep trying and give a call to see what the breeder fed them before selling them.

They are still very young and I would not worry too much. I doubt that they have eaten more then a meal or two at most. Go luck to you and let us know how it goes.

Jim

snake-lane Mar 21, 2006 03:02 AM

Very good advice posted above try what was mentioned. Also keep a close eye on the humidity levels in the enclosure. Every single variable matters when keeping retics. Also try putting a stunned or prekilled mouse or rat crawler in the enclosure and cover the cage with a blanket or something similar. Also try differnt times of the day. Some of my retics are sensitive to different lighting and won't eat if there is to much light. Good luck and enjoy your new baby's!!!! If I can be of any more help to you send me an email at chicagopythons@hotmail.com

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