Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had him (or her) for a little under a week now, Hes just a hatchling about 2 weeks old and has eaten once before I bought him. Its been probably 10 days since he ate last and its all digested and he pooped it out. I tried feeding him live pinkies and F/T fuzzies but he just won't eat. He is in a 10 gallon tank.

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong and I'm wondering if I should be wooried or what? Any suggestions are welcome. I could use some help.

Thanks
-Eric-

I'd try a live fuzzy or a live hopper. Babies will sometimes need live prey until they get used to eating regularly, and a lot of carpets aren't very interested in pinkies.

Jake

If I were you, I'd switch to the smallest possible container for your new snake. Try something the size of a shoebox, line it with a paper towel, and put a hide on one side, like a small cup with a small hole cut out. You can put the whole thing inside the 10-gal that you have (maximum security, I call it, as JCPs are escape artists). If you are using heat tape, put one end of the box over the area with the tape, so you have a temperature gradient. Leave your snake alone for a couple of days, then drop the food of choice into the shoebox and leave it there for a while (you might even want the lights out when you do this, so the snake isn't overwhelmed by the surroundings when you take the top off the shoebox). My personal opinion is that the food should be a bit larger than the snake's head, but that is up to you. It probably has to be a mouse of some type, as the transition to rats is a job you'll have to face later. The point of this is that hatchling JCPs seem to seek security before they seek food. If you make them feel secure, they will eat. I wouldn't worry too much yet, if the snake seems in good health and the conditions are right (temps, etc.) it will eat when it gets good and hungry. If this doesn't work the first time, give the little guy a couple of days between tries. Good luck, and let us all know how it turns out.

Thanks for both of you for replying, I bought a shoebox and have him in it with paper towels and a hide all within the 10 gallon, I'll leave him there for a couple days and them try introducing a live fuzzie I think. Well, anyways thanks for the concerns and replies and I'll keep ya posted.

-Eric-