Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Nothing groundbreaking here. However it is something to keep in mind next time you have a hatchling that won't eat. From my 2006 babies I had 3 that would not eat. I do not think they ate once since hatching in summer. However they looked and act fine. Normal body weight, not aggressive or lethargic. I had plenty of other siblings in the same set up on the same shelves. All other snakes took either f/t. live, or both. I do not worry about things like this.....if the snake seems OK then I will just be patient.

A night or two ago I decided to throw three live pinkies in a cage instead of one. I came back a little while later and all 3 pinkies were gone. I just tried this again tonight with another one........again, found no pinkies and a fat hatchling.

So rather than analyze the situation and try to figure out why,,,,,just keep it simple and keep it in mind. All that matters is that it worked. Just another thing to try when a snake refuses to feed. Tom Stevens
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TomsSnakes.com

Do we ever “get” those snakes to eat, or is it them deciding to do so every single time? Unless you shove something into them (force feed) aren’t we really just “offering” them food? Sometimes they will do us the courtesy of accepting our offer. I think in some parts of the world they have turned this into a religion!
More to your observation, how often in nature would a little snake happen upon a lone pink mouse? I would think the multiple scenario would be more normal, unless there was another snake in there too!
Sounds to me like those little guys are off to a better start having eaten like that, than the ones NOT labeled "stubborn feeder". I think that's a great tip.

I had hoped some would think like this. If a snake found a nest of pinkies I am sure it would eat more than one. I totally agree, all we do is offer food. I am very against forcefeeding in general. If the snake looks fine no matter how long it has been without food maybe it just does not need to eat...and it will when it's good n ready Tom Stevens
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TomsSnakes.com

I have yet to buy anything you produced - but the more you post, the more I like what you have to say.

I think force feeding is done far too often, and in most cases, a non-feeding snake is rejecting food due to an issue that can be resolved by the keeper.

That issue may be offering a different food source (IE trying lizards), changing humidity (as mentioned I believe by FR), changing temps, offering more privacy to the individual, etc.

One thing I've noticed about my Cal King clutch - they are far more likely to eat right away if fed in the evening. Feed in morning or afternoon, and often it doesn't disapear until late evening.
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3.3.4 L. getula californiae
1.1 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
2.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words. All I ever do for non feeders is offer food and adjust temps. I have shelves close to the floor and some close to the ceiling. Some that get a lot of light and others that don't. I just move the container around hoping to find a magic spot... but I produced a decent amount of snakes this year and only 3 were refusing food so I am happy to say I just do not have to deal with this very often.
Occasionally a paranoid customer will write and ask me about force feeding within a week of receiving a snake. I understand people want to handle their new pet right away but it's best to leave them be and after a few days they settle down and are more likely to eat. I had a pet shop guy who swore he was an expert on snakes kill the majority of Corns I sold him one time since after 3 weeks he was cramming mouse tails down their throats. I think keepers who are patient will in the end not do a thing to "get the snake to eat". They will just eat when they're good n ready. Sure you should be aware of temps and other husbandry, but I have had snakes hatch out so bloated fat with yolk I am sure they could have not fed at all til next spring and been just fine Tom Stevens
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TomsSnakes.com

Tom,

Good idea. I did the same thing to a stubborn feeder this summer. Couldn't get him to eat f/t to save my life. I tried all my fail proof tricks. Then I threw in a group of live pinks and he ate all of them. I also subscribe to the "nest" theory.

Next time I put in one f/t pink with one live and he ate both. The next time he ate f/t just fine. He hasn't looked back since.

Thanks for sharing your ideas. You can never have too many strategies to get a stubborn feeder to eat.
DNS Reptiles

Tom's theory worked for me today, too.

An '06 MBK that hasn't eaten since 11/20 was offered 3 live pinks today, and absolutely inhaled them within minutes...

Thanks!
//Todd

Observations like this are very interesting! Glad you shared.