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Tricks for non-feeding hatchlings

markg Aug 07, 2008 06:42 PM

My experience is mainly kingsnakes, and I know more about getting those to feed. Now I have some baby corns from a friend that will not feed on the thawed pinks I have offered.

My kingsnake hatchlings are fat, and I never worry if they take awhile to feed (most feed ravenously from the start). But these corns are so little and skinny. I don't think they have the luxury of time.

Can you give any advice on what to try? They do not even seem mildly interested. I'll try washing the pink and braining. Anything else? Thanks.
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Mark

Replies (4)

balisong Aug 07, 2008 07:15 PM

Here's a list:
1. Place the snake with a pinkie in a small Tupperware/deli-cup container (with air holes)or a paper bag and then place the container in the cage and leave it undisturbed over night. Sometimes they'll eat it in an hour.

2. Offer live.

3. Wash a mouse with ivory soap (rinse thoroughly) and then place it a container with the snake.

4. Cut a hole in the defrosted mouse's head and spread its brains over its nose and head.

5. Teasing the snake. Hold the snake gently, but firmly behind the head and support its body in the palm of your hand. Then tap the snake's nose with the pinkie. This may take about 15 minutes before the snake eats it.

6. Warm the pinkie in some warm water for a few minutes then offer it to your snake.

7. You can trick them into eating a pinkie by washing it and then rubbing the pinkie against a house gecko or anole. Alternatively you can wash the pinkie then place a small piece of shed house gecko or anole skin on the pinkie's head.

8. Wash the pinkie then dunk its head in the water from a can of tuna before offering it to your snake.

Hope this helps.

jyohe Aug 07, 2008 08:04 PM

live
live cut nose
live brained
live with peromyscus blood on them (russian or chinese hamster work)
anole scented

tuna never worked for me....not a one ate it ...
.
some prefer frozen over live
stick them in a delicup for sure...

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wisema2297 Aug 07, 2008 09:45 PM

I have used tuna water (thawing the pinky in it) in the past with some success.

Now I just assist feed them mouse tails until they start feeding on their own. Just gently slide a wet mouse tail down their throat adn when you get it about 1/2 to 3/4 down their swallow reflex usually kicks in and they fininsh swallowing it on their own. Howie Sherman taught me this when I had a stubborn OBK. She ate mouse tail for almost 9 months before finally taking scented pinks (ground skinks). You can also try scenting with lizzards/skinks just like with king snake hatchlings.

markg Aug 08, 2008 02:35 PM

>>My experience is mainly kingsnakes, and I know more about getting those to feed. Now I have some baby corns from a friend that will not feed on the thawed pinks I have offered.
>>
>>My kingsnake hatchlings are fat, and I never worry if they take awhile to feed (most feed ravenously from the start). But these corns are so little and skinny. I don't think they have the luxury of time.
>>
>>Can you give any advice on what to try? They do not even seem mildly interested. I'll try washing the pink and braining. Anything else? Thanks.
>>-----
>>Mark
-----
Mark

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