Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Out of the 15 corns that hatched almost 3 months ago, there is only one that will not eat. I have been force-feeding him for the past 2 months, after all the tricks were tried. The XS-pinkie from Rodent-pro still leaves a huge bulge. I usually have to push it all the way down his throat until he starts swallowing on his own. Well tonight I left a f/t pinkie in his cup for an hour, in complete darkness, then got him out to force feed him. I got the head down, then he suddenly comes to life, trying to squirm backwards. I held his head tighter, then I must have squeezed the pinkie too hard in the other hand, because it EXPLODED! I mean, blood was flying everywhere, and that got him even more excited! I let go of the mouse, and expected him to retch it up, but he swallowed it! The whole thing (or at least what was left of it) went down. I am just sooooooooooooo excited, because I had pretty much given up on him. I mean, he wouldn't even move when I picked him up and bumped his tail. It was like he was already dead... But now I am soooooooo happy he finally "ate" on his own. Sorry, I guess I am a little hyper, but you have to admit it is a pretty big occasion for the little boy. He just made my day. Okay, I am pooped now so, goodnight.
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15 new babies!
1.0 Anery Corn-Astro
0.1 Normal Corn-Cheyenne
0.1 Amel Striped Corn-Becky
1.0 Creamsicle-Diablo
0.1 Hypo Corn-Echo
1.0 Snow Corn-Frosty
0.1 Hypo Boa Constrictor-Isis
1.0 Dachshund-Sandy
0.1 Beagle-Josie
0.1 Tabby-Nicki
2.10 Rats

Congrats, let's hope he continues on his own. I went through the same thing last year, unfortunately I lost the little guy.

John

I forced a het Ultra lav for a full year. One day I had an extra gerbil pinky. What the heck I put it the deli cup and she grabbed it right up. Followed up 4 days later with a gerbil pink, same thing. After about 6 feedings like this, I took a pinky and rubbed on the parent gerbils. She ate it. Now today she ate her first unsented pink.

It wouldn't really work for me. I don't have the space or really the desire to get a breeding colony of hamsters/gerbils going, and my petstore doesn't sell live pinks. I think I'll see how he does next feeding time before I try something else. Thanks for the idea though, I might try it if he keeps refusing.
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15 new babies!
1.0 Anery Corn-Astro
0.1 Normal Corn-Cheyenne
0.1 Amel Striped Corn-Becky
1.0 Creamsicle-Diablo
0.1 Hypo Corn-Echo
1.0 Snow Corn-Frosty
0.1 Hypo Boa Constrictor-Isis
1.0 Dachshund-Sandy
0.1 Beagle-Josie
0.1 Tabby-Nicki
2.10 Rats

and ask them for some of the dirty bedding from their gerbils. Put the pinks in the bedding and let them absorb some of the smells. It might work.
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phflame
kingsnake.com host

I'm not sure what gerbils have, but they seem to be a favorite of many snakes. But snakes like ball pythons get hooked on them.

Bright side, gerbils are easy to breed, and must be the cleanest. Waste is very very dry, and you would not have to clean nearly as often as mice or rats. 1 lab cage or a 10 gallon aquarium could easily hold 1.3. if teh snake likes them, do it til he gets a little bigger and stronger then trick it to mice or rats.. DO NOT use a plastic tub! lol

good luck
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People with half the sense to do things right, do things wrong 50% of the time. {Me!}

Thanks
Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com