Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a WC baby Eastern. Starting from scratch, in what order would you try different foods? Would you start with unscented FT, or FK, or live pinkies? How long would you wait after a refusal to try the next on the list?

I haven't tried anything yet- I am just giving her a couple days to settle. She seems pretty calm- she'll hiss a little and spread out her "hood," but she stops that after about a minute and then just sits calmly.

Now if she doesn't take unscented, would you try tuna water or toad rubbing next? And would that be on FT? Should I wiggle the pink around to simulate movement? I am trying to locate a toad now, which I plan on keeping in my outdoor boxie enclosure to use for scenting as needed. But how exactly do you scent with the toad?

Thanks, Nanci

I have had the BEST response with tree frogs. Rub the tree frog all over the pink to scent it. Then let the tree frog jump around in the snakes cage....once you have a good feeding response going (it is chasing the frog) put the pink in. I hold the frog with forceps on top of the pink. When the snake come in for a bite, I simply remove the frog and he gets a mouth full of pink. This has worked very well for me, but does require a lot of patience. Well worth the effort though.

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Jenea

2:3:1 Tricolor Hognose (plus babies)
4:2 Eastern Hognose
1:2 Western Hognose
0:2 Southern Hognose
0:0:3 Florida Redbelly Snakes
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
1:2 Eastern Fence Lizards
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

Jenea, do you use frogs you catch out in your yard? Or can you use a store-bought frog? I have a dry yard- full of anoles and snakes, but I've only seen one toad in four years, and maybe a frog or two. Which is not to say I can't find some!

So then it really doesn't matter if the pink is FT, then, right? My feeding containers are all too shallow to contain a frog- I'll have to get something deeper.

Thanks a lot! Nanci
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*****
0.0.1 Normal Corn, 0.0.1 Cali King
0.0.1 Eastern Hognose, 1.0 Eastern Box Turtle
0.0.2 Desert Torts, 2.0 Feral Pigeons

I use frogs from my yard. If you do get one from a pet store it MUST be native to your area. Others can be toxic to these guys. I live near a retention pond, so the tree frogs abound!

I use f/t pinks for mine. I have tried scented live pinks, but they really didn't go for it. I also do not wash my pinks first. I want them to start associating the mouse smell with food. The conversion seem quicker that way. Sometimes though, getting that first meal in them is the most important thing, even if it is a frog. Once you know they will eat, it is easier to work with them. Some captives, just never eat in captivity. If you have one that won't even eat a tree frog after a week or so, then releasing is the best measure.

Good Luck.
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Jenea

2:3:1 Tricolor Hognose (plus babies)
4:2 Eastern Hognose
1:2 Western Hognose
0:2 Southern Hognose
0:0:3 Florida Redbelly Snakes
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
1:2 Eastern Fence Lizards
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

Thanks again! I already have FTs that I'm trying to use up so my Cali King can move up to fuzzies. Everyone cross your fingers.
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*****
0.0.1 Normal Corn, 0.0.1 Cali King
0.0.1 Eastern Hognose, 1.0 Eastern Box Turtle
0.0.2 Desert Torts, 2.0 Feral Pigeons

I hope this works!

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*****
0.0.1 Normal Corn, 0.0.1 Cali King
0.0.1 Eastern Hognose, 1.0 Eastern Box Turtle
0.0.2 Desert Torts, 2.0 Feral Pigeons

These are from her first day (with me).

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*****
0.0.1 Normal Corn, 0.0.1 Cali King
0.0.1 Eastern Hognose, 1.0 Eastern Box Turtle
0.0.2 Desert Torts, 2.0 Feral Pigeons