Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a Eastern Kingsnake that I saved from a fireman's hatchet. I cant get it to eat. Any suggestions or help would be great. Thanks....

How is it set up and what have you tried so far?The more details you give everyone the more help everyone will be able to give you back.
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Please don't talk about snake prices when my wife is around!!

Oh Ok, he is in a hatchling rack, with a 12 quart tub with back heat tape. The hot spot is 85 degrees. I have tried live crickets, f/t pinkies, and small strips of salmon. So far nothing has worked at all. Any Ideas? Thanks....

I've only kept one eastern so my experience with them is limited...but the upside to my responding here is that if I "say" something stupid I'll
get slammed quickly and then you should then hopefully get the info you need .

I think you should eliminate the crickets/salmon from the mix. You ultimately want the snake on rodents and it should take to them if
everything goes right (this is where my experience w/easterns could certainly come into question).

How long have you had the snake (i.e. how long has it been since you know it hasn't eaten)?

You've tried F/T..did you leave the F/T pinkie in overnight?

One solution that I've seen recommended and has worked for me with cal and desert king hatchlings is poking a hole
in the noggin of the pink so that a little goo comes out...

Another option is to dangle the pink in front of the snake w/some tongs...this has worked for me with cal and florida
kings.

Lastly, if you can get a live pink to try that might be worth it. I think you'll want your snake to take F/T so I'd try to
exhaust that route first before movign to live.

Good luck.

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/scott

Ok that is very helpful, thank you. I have had the king for about 2 weeks now and I tried live for a few hours and f/t overnight. With no luck! He just always tries to get out of his tub or lays coiled up. I will try the head hole and small tub idea. Any others are welcome. Thanks for the help.... Bradley.