Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My baby common does not seem to be eating. He seems to have absorbed his yolk sac, and is active. Tried worms, reptile sticks, minnows and a grub. Any thoughts or ideas? I feel like once he starts, he will do great. At least that's how it's always been with my problem feeder baby snakes. Thanks. Duffy

Hey Duffy,

What is the current water temp in the snappers enclosure? Maybe its not warm enough? If it is warm enough, well, my friend "Wu-Gwei" always says "give them more time".

Thanks,
Ben

Stick to live items for now. Keep offering live grubs, earthworms, and flies. When my common was a hatchling, she consumed flies like mad. I used a fly swatter, and threw the still kicking flies into the water. Its worth a try.
Wild hatchlings feed upon aqautic insect larvae, tiny fish, worms, carrion, and other insects. Keep at it, and eventually incorporate pellets, and cooked chicken into the diet. Good luck.
-Mike

I raised 2 common snappers from babies once, and one ate anything and everything, while the other didn't seem to eat much at all for many months.

Small pieces of raw catfish, whiting, or pollock, live earthworms, live crickets, small pieces of cooked chicken should be offered. Most of the aquatic turtles I've raised didn't care for wardleys turtle sticks.. So, if you're using that, try reptomin. Turtles can't seem to resist that.

If none of that works, do like the other person mentioned, just give it time. It could be eating just a little bit, not enough to notice, for the first few months, but it should eventually come around.