Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is the best way to start out hatchling on food?
Also weaning them to pinkies?
Particularly mexicans.

Thanks for any advise

Baby mexian hogs can be real tough to get to eat. I've hatched out quite a few of those years ago and always had some difficulty with their firs few feedings.

The trick that worked the best was small fozen toad parts. Get a small frozen toad and cut him up into very tiny chunks. Put a few of those small parts into a small paper sack (lunch sack) and put in a live pinkie. Let the pinkie sit in there for a bit and then put the snake in. Roll the paper sack down about half way and staple it shut. Leave them there all night long.

Typically a few will eat like this right off the bat. Some won't and will only take thawed out toads.

Hope that helps!

Hatchling mexican hogs can be the toughest to start, but once you get in about 6 feedings it's easy sailing.
I try braining pinks first. (cut open the head and expose brain tissue)I
If that will not work I try toad scenting. I keep a live toad for this method. I wash off the pink in baby shampoo and rinse well (wash off the mouse scent). Then I put the pink in a deli cup with a toad for about 20 mins, and rub the pink under the toads legs before I try to feed the pink to the snake. Then take out the toad and put in the snake. Leave it for an hour. I also use this method for easterns, except I use a big Green Tree frog instead of a toad. The toad works sometimes, but the green tree frog works everytime. Eventually rub less, leave in the deli cup less and work your way to not scenting at all. I have a eastern hog that is on unscented fuzzies now.
If that has no luck, I assist feed. I think the most important thing is to get it to eat. For assist feeding I gently hold the snake behind the head and hold the pinkie up to its mouth. Sometimes it takes awhile to get it to bite the pink and start swallowing. If it will not bite the pink I put my thumb under the lower lip rolling back and press the pink upwards on the upper lip and you should be able to get the head inside the mouth. (BE GENTLE!!)Once it is in do not let the snake spit it out gently keep it in place untill you see the snake start rocking the jaws side to side (trying to swallow it).
I would not let a baby go more than 2 weeks without feeding. They usualy start to get weak and then you have no chance of them feeding on their own. Especially if the snake has not feed for a week before it was shipped to you.
Sorry for the novel.
Good Luck,
Nick