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I have a baby snow cornsnake who has not really eaten since I got him. I fed him the first time three days after I got him, it was a thawed pinky, I then found the pinky regurgitated a few hours later. I've tried braining and other "tricks". Its been about 5 weeks, if he doesn't eat soon I think I'll have to try force-feeding. I want to start him on live because he hasn't eaten the frozens since the first time, but I can't find them anywhere. What do I do?

My question would not be "Why isn't he eating?", but "Why did he regurg?" I would tackle the first problem first.

So...how are the temps? Is it possible that this little guy is too cold? What was his eating record like with the previous owner? Was he handled after eating?

I would get him a nice warm spot with a hide on the warm side as well as the cool side. While I wouldn't want to start a habit of feeding live, trying a live pinky would be preferable to force feeding.

Just some first thoughts...perhaps those with more experience have other ideas.

I have just recently started feeding frozen thawed to som of my animals, so my question is did you thaw the pink out all the way?
Tom

We have thawed the food, and put extra lights for heat and brained said pinky and he still has not taken his food. I think he regured because of stress, I think I was over-handling him, but I haven't done that, other than for a few minutes every few days.

Assuming you have done as "laurarfl" suggesting with temps, hides, and such, I have a question and some suggestions.

First, do you know for sure that it was eating well before you got it?

Something you might try, which has sometimes worked for me: hold the snake firmly so it is not easily sliding between your fingers, close to the head, and gently press the pinky against its nose. Sometime, if you are very still and patient, the snake will open up and take it. You might have to sit and try this for several minutes. If it does take it, continue to hold it without moving as it swallows. The idea is to get the snake to forget you are there.

Another method that often works is to put the snake and the pinky in a small paper sack (lunch size), fold over the top, and secure it with tape or a clothes pin. Put it back in its cage, partially over a warm area, and leave it.

If your snake has only regurged once, thats good. I have one that regurged 4 times before I realized I was trying to feed it again too soon after regurg. It finally ate a few pinky heads, then quit eating again. I got a live pinky and put it in a paper sack with it, and almost immediately the snake ate. That was several days ago, and it has digested it.

To find live pinkies, I would call all the small pet stores in your area. The big box stores don't usually have them. You might also try Craigs List and try to locate other "snake people" in your area. They might know or be a source of live pinkies.

Good luck, and here is a pictue to inspire you. This is from my first successful breeding in 2004.

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Kent