Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Got a pretty pair of 07 Knoblochi Mountain Kings, but havent managed to get them to eat anything just yet.... I v tried a few tricks, live f/t in waxy tubs etc....had read cooling them may work.... They are hatchling size for sure.. is cooling a good idea??? Has anyone tried this??? They seem very small to being doing this, Id be a little nervous to do it.... Any advice appreciated
DENISE

here's what works for me. keep them at a temp between 72 - 78 degrees. mist the cage with water in the late afternoon about two or three hours before attepting to feed them. at feeding time try a thawed pinky, insert a toothpick through the nose into the brain. squeeze just a drop of brains out of the head and rub it on the nose. put the pinky and the snake in a deli cup in the dark. i have even misted the lid of the deli cup with excellent results. this misting method has worked well for me this year. be sure your deli cup has ventilation holes. if you try it and it works, please let us know. good luck. Rusty

I have had hatchling knob's and pyro's and was told not to worry when they didn't eat. Just to put them in hibernation and they will feed when I take them out. It worked and didn't have a problem, they ate like pigs and got some good size to them quick.

I know why most won't eat until out of hibernation but I will let someone else chime in with that explanation as I don't know how to put it in the proper words.

Good Luck
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B

Well lets put it this way. In the wild Winter doesn't care what size they are. So they have adapted to deal with it. Even "small" hatchlings can be brumated. Now if they are showing signs of mal-nutrition, then that is a different story. If they are a healthy weight, I wouldn't sweat cooling them for 6-10 weeks, and then try feeding again.
Good luck!
-Phil
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I'll Google your YouTube
If you Yahoo! Myspace!

This document may be of some help. I have a couple of edits to add to it including the "car ride" technique and the "antagonistic" approach.

[url]http://www.kingsnake.com/alterna/hatchlin.html[/url}
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http://www.hcu-tx.org

www.kingsnake.com/alterna/hatchlin.html
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http://www.hcu-tx.org