Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is my first year producing corns and cal kings, so I've been nervous about feeding the hatchlings. I only have access to frozen pinks.

My first clutch of two corns from my old lady amel, and my first clutch of 8 cal kings are a month old now. I started out showing them the pinky, waving it in their faces and leaving it for them. That worked some of the time - with the kings, LOL! I still have two cal kings and one corn from that group that hasn't eaten. I've washed, brained, scented and tried sticking pinks in their mouths to no avail.

Well.... I have a second clutch of corns, 23 babies, 22 that shed Sunday and Monday. Last night I washed and dried pinks and just dropped them into their boxes and left them alone. AH HA MOMENT! Every one of the 22 I fed ate their pinky!

I also tried that with another clutch of 5 cal kings that just hatched and still have fat yolk bellies. Two of them ate!

So, I think I learned not to pester them and just let them find the food on their own.

I think I've made it harder than it should have been.
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Amy Claiborne

Don't let them take your wasted time. J.T.

LOL!! Yeah, you get stoked and want to make sure they all feed. I just defrost and place in cages after the first shed. Most eat right off the bat. The first thing I try with any of the babies that dont feed right away is to NOT defrost in water, and just let sit near a light bulb, heat pad, etc. until defrosted. I think when defrosted in water the smell changes, while defrosting using a dry method keeps the smell more appealing?? I dont get worried til several weeks pass. I just got a hatchling anery corn feeding routinely after it refused meals for three to four weeks. Sometimes it just takes time.

Washing the pinkie in unscented soap has worked for probably 75% of babies that haven't eaten the first time. I never had any luck with the braining thing 0 I don't think I've ever had that work, but I know others have.
PS Pituophis