Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hello everybody, would like to get some advice on feeding newly hatched babies born 4/26. All have shed and some have taken frozen mice pinkies, but their are some stuborn ones that will not feed. Could use any sugestions or ticks to get them going. And when do you think I should start worring ,Thnaks

If you haven't tried scenting the pinkies with chick down I would try that. Some other things I would try, and I would only use assist feeding as a last resort. You really need to make the snakes mad when trying to feed them. Sometimes that means using quite a bit of force on the back of their necks, and with less force on their tails. I do not like touching their heads as this seldom works in my experience. You could also try lizard scent, but that rarely works. Chondros are known for being tough to start, so don't get too discouraged because everyone goes through this.

Also, my experience has been that newly hatched chondro does need to eat within 6-8 weeks. If they do not, they have a good chance of starving to death.
-----
Mike Bair
Chondro Dreams

I haven't started chondro babies yet, but I have done amazons. I found that if I made the pinky VERY hot (dipped it briefly in nearly boiling water) then made cuts in the belly to get it gooey and some would immediately go for that. When I had to tease, I really had to make them mad. Chased one for 40 minutes around the tub. For one, I had to make it feel more secure by adding more cover for it. Once I did that, it ate immediately and never stopped. This was after holding out for a month. I don't force feed so I don't know about that. I did try scenting with lizard and feathers and that didn't make a difference. Making the animal feel more secure, heating the food item up alot and teasing the crap out of them did the trick.
-----
5.5~Cornsnakes
2.4~Green tree python
2.1.2~ATB
Dogs, cats, horses....
www.franclycac.com

First thing I would say is my first clutch went 4 months with out eating so don't jump the gun. Force feeding is never a good way to start things out. Patience and persistance are the keys to getting things going. I would only try to feed once a weak. I ended up having success using fuzzy mouse heads. From my experience once they grab hold don't move or they will tend to drop them. Good Luck getting green tree babies eating was personally one of teh most chalanging things I've ever done as far as herping goes.