Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Earlier I posted about my two new miami phases... well now I have a feeding problem with one of them.

I fed both of them on Thursday, the day after they arrived and they both at half of a cut pinkie mouse.

Four days later I offered them both an entire mouse each but only the boy took it, the female seemed to almost shrink away from her food.

I waited two days and offered food to her again, but she still wouldn't take it, even though this time I cut it in half.

I've tried exposing the brain and shaking the mouse with tweesers but none of them work. I don't want to have to use the chicken broth or the soap method until last resort.

By the way, I offer both of them food in the individual plastic containers that they came in.

Thanks! ^^

(Also, in case you didn't read my last post they are both miami phases and the one on the top is the female.)

It looks like you're handling the snakes. I would not handle a baby snake until it's on a regular feeding schedule (has eaten 8-10 times on a consistent basis). Handling stresses baby snakes. Stress may be the reason the snake is not eating.

You may want to check out some of the other reasons baby snakes won't eat in the post below.

Those snakes can (and should) be fed whole pinkies, not ones cut in half.

Tim

Third Eye

I totally agree with Tim. Handling = stress to some level. If snakes really liked being handled,they would climb to your hand when you take the lid off your tank.
When I sell a snake, especially a baby I stress (pun) do not handle until eating regularly. As for babies I tell them to limit handling the first 6 months. I know they won't, but I try to set a mind set not to over handle.

Good luck
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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com

Stop wasting time with the whole or cut pinkies. The snakes should have there own cages, if they do already put a LIVE pinkie in with each and leave them alone. I can almost garontee the next day the pinkie will be gone. Keep them in a dark room over night. If that dose not work contact the seller and possibly arrange for them to be replaced. I know it sounds harsh but you should not buy or have to keep a snake with problems. I personally will not sell a snake unless it is in tip top shape. I have only ever had one complaint of which I replaced the snake free of charge no questions asked. Thats how it should be done.
Foot Hill Reptiles

How come none of the sites that I went to, or the breeder told me that I wasn't supposed to handle them? That would have been helpful. But now that I have already done it, how am I supposed to get her to eat?

Breeder websites are for breeders to show what animals and morphs they're working with.

Books on corn snakes are for owners of corn snakes. Get a book. Do not rely on the internet for your information.

A care sheet on a website cannot go into the detail of owning a snake (shedding problems, growth and longevity, handling, ailments, etc.).

Tim

Well... the tuna in the dark didn't work so I e-mailed the breeder, and they said that if it gets worse to let them know. They don't seem to think that it's a big deal. I couldn't find any books on them in the book store when I looked before I bought them and I went over almost all of the care sheets that google turned up. I might try rubbing it on a frog or a lizard but I don't know how to get one to rub it on. (I'm also worried that some frogs would be poisonous.)

I appreciate the help.