Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Long Post

I have this female pastel ball that hatched almost three months ago. I have her set up in a 15 qt box with water, hide, on paper towel substrate which is what i have all my babies housed in. She is the only one who wont eat on her own yet. This worries me because she is very skinny so I assist fed her a couple days ago thinking this might entice her feeding response, but as of now she still has yet to eat on her own. Any thoughts? usually after assist feeding babies they will start to eat on their own so maybe ill just wait another week and try again. STRESS

Sometimes they just won't eat...be prepared for that.

As far as assist feeding...I'll force a pinky in the throat and as they start to swallow that one I'll place a hopper in its mouth too....they'll usually just continue to swallow it all down. Usually only takes a couple times of doing this and they are nice and plump and will start to take food on their own.

Like I said though, there are some that just won't take food, in my experience.

Jason

I had to assist feed a baby for 6 months. I figuered I was going to do it for the rest of its life, then one day something clicked and he started on his own.

Yep..Same here, I assist fed a het Albino girl for months, until finally one day she showed interest and has been a decent eater since.

I think it is a size thing, when the reach like 200 - 300 grams they seem to become more aggresive.

It kinda makes you wonder how many, many little timid ones in the wild just crawl up underneath a rock, are too afraid to come out, and just up and die of starvation??

You have to wonder about that. You would think that instinct would kick in to survive. I have a female that I have been assist feeding for a month now and she is the worst I have ever dealt with, she will twist and do everything she can to get the food out. She is half the weight of the other babies.

Thank god I'm not the only one. Thanks for everyones help.