Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone have problems getting babies to eat this year. I have hatched over 100 babies the last 4 years in a row and for some reason this year has by far the worst to get them to take the first meal. I also do Ball Pythons and Boas but they seem to be at the usual rate.

I usually always have a few that won't accept F/T pinks first off. Many times live, or "brained" F/T will work on some, while others are extremely stubborn and won't accept pinkies any way they are offered until they are heavily scented with lizard(anole or skink).

I will go out and catch an anole, kill it, then mash it up real well with a few drops of water added to it in a shot-glass. Then I dip the F/T pinkie's head in the thick "lizard stew" I made. This usually works very well on the ones that will not accept live or unscented F/T pinkies.

You can cover the tiny glass you crushed it up in with a piece of plasic wrap with a rubber band around it and re-freeze it several times as needed.

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Weird. This is the first year I've had EVERY baby eat. (Though I still have 3 clutches yet to hatch.) In addition to what Doug said, I have a friend who has had a lot of luck using the droppings of Side-blotched Lizards to scent pinkies. He said his success rate is 100% and he produces more snakes than I do.

But it is odd that such a high percentage won't eat for you.

Tim

Third Eye

Thanks for the tips guys

>>Anyone have problems getting babies to eat this year. I have hatched over 100 babies the last 4 years in a row and for some reason this year has by far the worst to get them to take the first meal. I also do Ball Pythons and Boas but they seem to be at the usual rate.

Are they from different lines than last year? I have entire clutches of Okeetee, and het Sunkissed babies with 100% eating, but some of the Miami, and WC Polk County cluthes are much more difficult.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

No same breeders as last year. They will get this year off as I picked up some new breeders. Last year I had 157 babies and only 10 were a problem. I had one female double clutch 26 the first and 18 were problems I did get them to eat after a few force feedings and the second clutch of 9 all ate the first time. I had one clutch of 18 that none ate on there own for about 6 weeks I did lose a few and the rest of the clutches were 50/50