Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a small hatchling eastern milk snake that hasn't shown interest in eating. I've tried many different techniques but think I may have to force feed soon. Could someone help explain how to force feed using a part of mouse tail? I am concerned with how to get the snakes mouth open without injuring it.

thank you,
Zach

-----
AIM sn: z10silver

The best way is to scent a very tiny pinky with a ground skink from wherever the eastern comes from. The way I do it is wear a rubber glove. Baby snakes don't seem to slide around as much on rubber. I take my thumb and finger of my right hand, because I'm left handed, right behind the head, I take the fat end of tail from a small mouse, because your easterns are tiny, dip in warm water, but not too wet, open the mouth with the tail fat end, insert gently, without forcing, to the throat. It should slide in real easy. They will try to spit it out, so hold them for a few minutes, about 1/2" back from head on the floor of enclosure. They may start swallowing by itself, or you have to push it in again. By this time, the snake has gotten saliva on the tail and should slide really easily. Slide it back as far as possible. You'll have to hold it until it swallows on its own. It should get tired and finally swallow it. If this doesn't work, email me, and I'll try to explain it better. Good luck, Derek

.
-----
AIM sn: z10silver

I've found baby eastern's to be tough to feed. I've had luck with just feeding a head of a newborn pinky mouse.
Try leaving the snake alone in a deli cup over night with its meal. Good luck