Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have baby balls for the first time. I'm trying to start them on thawed rodents but am having trouble. I wait till evening, put them in a feeding box with a heating pad that's wrapped in an opaque bag(so it's dark), I dangle the warm dead dry rodent for them but they don't strike. I leave it with them and they don't eat it.

any advice, or is it just a waiting game? makes me very nervous.

I feed live to newly hatched animals...

Seems easier that way.
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www.HeathersHerps.com
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Balls for Life, Baby!

sometimes if you dip the prekilled rodent in chicken broth it can have the same affect.

keep us updated on how it goes.
matt

how old are they? sometimes it takes a week or 2 once they shed to get their appetites going. and try live if you have the chance. goodluck and keep us posted
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Wayne and Ryan
Dark Continent Reptiles
www.darkcontinentreptiles.con

How old are these babies?
When did they have their egg shed?
How are the babies being kept?
How big are they?
What are you using for feeders?
How are you thawing and warming your feeders?

Off hand I'd say -- don't move them before feeding -- make sure your feeders are warm enough -- dont use water to defrost them - do it in the fridge and then heat them up to about 98* with a heat lamp -- and instead of dangling them get a pair of tongs and present them as if they are alive. Most importantly watch their reaction and see what they are keying in on -- some will like a wiggly rodent, some will like a still one, etc. some key in on heat and some color. Most of my hatchlings take f.t without issue. If all else fails pick up some live dark hopper mice and give that a go.

Good luck
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Tosha
JET Pythons

How old are these babies?

about 2 weeks

When did they have their egg shed?

they've all shed in the past few days

How are the babies being kept?

4 total, 2 each in 2 aprox. 10 gallon "tubs" with a heat pad, lots of water, hiding spaces and on paper towels.

How big are they?
6-9 inches? If I had to guess without measurement

What are you using for feeders?

thawed hoppers

How are you thawing and warming your feeders?

I take them out of the freezer, leave one to thaw at room temperature, then move it to the feeding box that has a heat pad until it's warm.

Hi I had my first clutch last year with 3 hatchlings, 2 of witch refused to eat. I waited about 4 weeks until I was advised to assist feed. (i've never live fed) they both took easily and 1 started feeding on his own straight after that and 1 I had to assist feed a couple of times before he started eating on his own.

Kenny