Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The 6-8 week old Cali I got from Shannon is doing great, but has only eaten when I put in plastic cup with the FT pinky. Each time before going back to that as I know it works I try just leaving out on top of hide and also in the open cup. I have also tried moving with tongs and warming in a bag. He will strike at it moving, but doesn't latch on, usually misses, and I think is just more aggravated than wanting to eat it.

I would prefer him to just find the pinky in the cage as both moving with tongs and putting in small enclosed cup seems to aggravate him. At least he's eating, but would rather have him more relaxed. He's always easy to hold and doesn't strike when in your hand.

Time to try the snake skin trick? Is it reasonable for me to expect him to find the pinky at room temp within his large cage on his own?

Thanks!
rob

Small snakes can be tricky and anything can turn them off to feeding. At least its eating in a cup for you. I would suggest that you keep feeding him in the cup but to try feeding him in his cage about every third try. Maybe do it a couple of days late to make sure he's really hungry. You also might want to try putting the food item in his hide. I do this with my hatchling thayeri: I make a small hollow in the bedding, place the pinkie in it and put a deli cup water bowl over it. This serves as the snakes hide. In the process of finding the hide, they also find and eat the food. I'd convinced many a reluctant feeder to sart using this method.
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Darwin Rocks!

Feed him in the cup - that prevents substrate from sticking to the food as he drags it around.
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Arrrggg!
It's like Shalom, but for pirates.
- iCarly

Many times you need to leave the room for the snake to eat the pinky while in the cage.

Still, nothing wrong with the deli-cup method. Hatchlings can be very defensive and cautious. In time, the snake will eat your hand.
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Mark

Normal that he's real cranky in the cup? Strikes at everything and when I remove him from the cup he's still PO'd for an hour.

Feeding response. ^_^
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Holly

0.1 Lavender California Kingsnake (Lizzie Borden) (missing )
1.0 Florida Kingsnake (Eddie Gein)
0.0.2 Cornsnakes (Lyle & Erik Menendez)
1.0 Bearded Dragon (Charley Manson)
1.0 Orange Marmalade Cat (Oliver)
1.0 Black Cat (Shadowfax)
1.0 Egyptian Arabian (Bagan) (Deceased )
1.0 Tennessee Walking Horse (Durango)

2.0 Toddlers (Justice & Trevor)