Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone have any tips on introducing food to Easterns, I have a captive juvenile that has not eaten in almost three weeks and when I put in a baby frog he does not seem interested. I am concerned because he appears to be losing weight. I have some tree frogs coming in the mail that should arrive thursday. If I cant get him to eat some of the tree frogs I think I should release him. I'm kind of worried though because we are due for a cold snap with temperatures getting around freezing down here in TX. Advice?

If he is losing weight and not eating I would try assist feeding a pinky. I usually take a day old pink and gently push it in the hogs face. They usually get tired of this and open up and start swallowing the pink. Make sure not to let it spit it out after it opens its mouth. Just hold the pink in its mouth not pushing it hard, just holding it in place. Once it gets some weight back it should be started back on frog scented pinks or even frogs if you need to get the weight back on.
Do not release it in the shape it is in, it will most likely die, and is probably againg the DFG's laws. I am sure someone here will take it as a gift if you just need to get rid of it because it is too much work.
Nick

sorry to post when I can really be any help to you, (I assume you've tried senting pinkies with everything (chicken soup and tuna are a couple things people have had luck with that I just read about recently).
I would like to second herper79 in saying that releasing the snake at time time of year in such a condition would almost definitely kill it, and that if you are willing to give it away there are plenty of people that would take it (pick me pick me) and that would probably be your best option other than to just keep trying.

Thanks for the advice, I was able to assist feed him a little pinky. Now I'm just waiting on my frogs to get here and all should be well.