Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone I have a question about assist feeding hatchlings. I produced 5 babies at the end of August (3 albino's and 2 normals) 1 normal and 1 albino have eaten by themselves and the other normal was assist fed. the other 2 albino's just wont take them though i have tried to assist feed, does anyone suggestions? am I trying too soon? its now been over a month since they were born.

any advice would be greatfully recieved.

Kenny.

how are you trying to feed them??? And as far as feeding them to soon once they our out of their first shed feeding should start. But how you do it can be key.

matt

Hi Matt, thanks for getting back to me. I heat the fluff mouse up then dunk it in warm water, I have the baby by the head and my girlfriend holding the body. push the mouse head onto the end of the snakes mouth which opens the mouth then push it towards the back. previously when i've done this (last year was my first time) i got an instant feeding response, the snake took it and ate but this year they just seem to spit it out.

Thanks,

Kenny.

I would wait a couple more weeks before trying to assist feed them. 30 days isn't that long especially since the first 10 or so they are in shed. When assist feeding the key is to squeeze their mouth down on the mouse while giving the mouses tail a little tug. This makes it difficult for the snake to get it out. Usually after 10-20 seconds of trying to spit it out they'll swallow it down. Also I don't see a point in dunking the mouse in water.

Eric

Hi Eric, thanks for getting back to me. I'll wait a few more weeks before trying assist again. I'll just over them normally and see what happens!

Have you tired letting the babies eat on their own??? To me it sounds like you are force feeding them right away. Get a live hopper mouse and put the to together and see if it strikes on its own. You can also try taking you prekilled mouse with a set of feeding tongs and wiggle/hop it around in front of the snake babies seem to like movement so making it look like it is hoping like the live hopper would do may get it to strike as well. Once it strikes wiggle it a little to make it seem like it is trying to get a way and the snake will really sink its teeth into it and you got it!!! just let is sit and see if it downs it.

Try these and see what happens. As far as Force feed goes it should be a last resort not a starting point.

Let me know if this helps, I have some other tips that can help if this doesn't.

matt

just wondering

matt

No but I tried the evening before my first post so I thought I wait until after the weekend to try again.

Kenny

Hi, just to keep you up dated, the 2 albino's who i tried to assist feed have both strike fed on their own. so i was clearly just being over eager. The het who i did assist fed hasn't eaten yet but maybe he's just not hungry or full, i'll wait a few more weeks before i even consider assisting again, but i'm sure he will when he's ready. thanks for all your good advice.

Kenny.

Hi Matt, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I never tried live hoppers but I have been offering F/T (heated)by wiggling it front of them but with no interest. this method worked of the others. I'll continue with this method for a few more weeks before trying assist feeding again. how long should i wait before it becomes a serious problem? or is it just when them seem to have lost wait as with adults?

Regards,

Kenny.