Reptile & Amphibian Forums

At what point do you need to try assist feeding? How many refusals does a hatchling have before assisting?
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It depends on the animal, but a healthy, fat hatchling can go quite a while. I would consider assist feeding after about 2 months (of course, some hatchlings may need it sooner). In all the babies I've hatched, probably a couple hundred, I've maybe had to assist feed 3 or 4. What have you tried? If you haven't tried a very large, live, dark colored fuzzy mouse overnight, give it a shot. You are looking for what I call a crawler. Eyes just open, with just a little mobility...and seriously, dark colors seem to work better for whatever reason....

that's a tough one. it is really something you develop a feel for, a lot based in individual history, feeding attempts, current weight, and especially visual cues.

a pic would help.

not an easy answer for this one.

i can tell you this, once i AM at that point, i use hairless rat pups and a hemostat, and i don't assist anything, it is just force feeding. i use thawed rat pups, dipped in water, and slide it past the mouth. at that point i use my thumb to pull it down to the stomach area, otherwise it will just get regurged back up.

repeat every 3-4 days for 6 feedings or so, then try a live rat pup again, overnight if needed.

you want to get the digestive system working, calories and nutrients in, and some weight gain going. if they don't take the live rat after offering twice, back to the force feeding for another 4-6 tries.

it is successful with about 85% of the non feeders. it is super stressful, there is no way around that, and you can kill your baby if you do it wrong, or poorly.

THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR NOVICE KEEPERS.

the key is really that you have exhausted all the natural feeding techniques, and are facing a life or death situation. very sad to see someone force feeding while having poor/no hidespots, terrible temps, a wide open big cage, or poor prey item choices.

so i just started typing all that, and it goes beyond your question, and may no longer apply, but the first part does : )

best of luck. a pic would help if you would like feedback as to whether it is "time".
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

oh, and force feeding is a two person job.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

Thanks Robyn, This particular hatchling has refused 4 meals (every 5 days). Doesn't look unhealthy yet, I have a rat pink in with her now. I will get a pic and post it, maybe in the morning. This is my first year dealing with hatchlings, I do have 50 or so breeders. It is definately a little tougher dealing with the babies
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