Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, ratfolk,

Four out of my twelve hatchlings have eaten, which is a good feeling--BUT eight have not.

While it'd be great to have everyone chow down right away, I realize some take a little longer. What concerns me is that I will be out of town for a couple weeks, meaning they won't be offered food till I'm back (basically a three-week gap between hatching and possibly eating).

Just wanted some assurance that they could make it through such a long delay--I AM comforted by the fact they all came out looking robust.

Thanks!

I'd separate them all and keep them in a cool room while you're gone.
Try feeding live maybe, before you go.
-----
V.P.
Austin Herp. Soc.

This is by no means the norm,but some years ago,I had a pair of corns that took teir FIRST meal one year to the day after hatching.
Hard to believe the little rascals can do that,and unlikely,but sometimes it takes a while

Bear

They should be fine for 3 weeks. BUT, you can try teasing them. Several of my hatchlings last year were very shy about food, but would always take a f/t pinky by tease feeding. Sometimes they would even drop it up to 5 times before finally swallowing it. I had to be deathly still lest they get spooked once it was in their mouth. Again, if that doesn't work, let them go for the 3 weeks and try again after they shed the second time.

Good luck!
Billy

>>Hey, ratfolk,
>>
>>Four out of my twelve hatchlings have eaten, which is a good feeling--BUT eight have not.
>>
>>While it'd be great to have everyone chow down right away, I realize some take a little longer. What concerns me is that I will be out of town for a couple weeks, meaning they won't be offered food till I'm back (basically a three-week gap between hatching and possibly eating).
>>
>>Just wanted some assurance that they could make it through such a long delay--I AM comforted by the fact they all came out looking robust.
>>
>>Thanks!
>>

Thanks, guys!

Just bad timing on me leaving town. I hatched out a clutch of kings years ago that took a bit to start eating--largely, I think, because they were full from the yolk. I waited a week after the others ate, and by damn, they were all hungry then. I just don't have that option if they don't eat tomorrow or the next night. (I have two more nights to try--I'm skipping tonight.)

Because I don't trust the used critter keepers I got to house them separately, they are sharing space in a ten-gallon. I feed them separately in deli cups, though (and I don't have the mind to house them in a deli cup).

Thanks again, I appreciate all the help.

They look like yellows or glades and from my experience tease feeding is the way to go if you can't get live. They are so snappy that it works out really well with them. If they don't feed I wouldn't even blink about leaving, they will be just fine. I would leave them at normal temps and not cool them at all. If you cool them it will take them longer to feed. If you are not trying live pinks that may be the way to go. Get a bunch of the single sized beer bags that all the Florida stores use when you get the after work "big boy" for the ride home and toss the snake and the pink in there. Fold the bags down till they are about 2" tall and then put them in a cage overnight. Some of them will get out and some will eat. some will likely eat and then get out and go into another bag and eat again. LOL Hit your local gas station store and ask if you can buy 25 of the little bags from them and they will usually just give you a handful. It will test how nice you are to your clerks.

Jason

I had similar stats.....went to brained pinks and got 100% within three hours. Deli cups of course too.
-----
Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny