Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All, I have a hatchling grayband that was produced from a clutch of 5 eggs that my Christmas Mt Female laid last summer, the other 4 eggs shriveled within a week. Well the hatchling had no interest in eating for 8 weeks after hatching ( 9/22) so I let it go into hibernation. Last week a buddy of mine found a couple of western fence lizards that were hibernating under some scrape lumber and gave them to me. My question is, when I finally warm up the hatchling I will first try a newborn pinkie. If the hatchling doesn't take the pinkie I will go to scenting with the fence lizard. Can I scent with a live lizard? Can I just pull off the lizard's tail and scent with the stump or severed tail? Do I have to kill the lizard and cut it open to effectively scent a pinkie? One other thing, one of the lizards that I have is quite small, but; I think its still to large for the hatchling to consume as it isn't a hatchling it'self. And I don't know what hatchling grayband prey item size capacity is? Any info would be helpful Thanks in advance Jack

You can keep the lizards alive. Washing the mouse with mild, unscented soap and water first, rub the head of it back and forth over the femoral pore areas on the hing legs of the lizard. Your snake should take the scented mouse without hesitation. Good luck with rearing your hatchling.

Wow Bob! I think I'd even eat a pinkie if you rubbed on a female pore!!! Yummy! LOL. BA