Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, we recently hatched twins out. We need some advice from someone who has been in the same boat. This whole clutch being problem eaters isn't helping matters either! (strike, coil, release, repeat...sigh)

Since they're considerably smaller (~23g and 27g) we assumed they would be behind a bit. However, their siblings all shed 2weeks ago. They haven't shed yet, and given their weight we're not sure we should expect them to until they eat once or twice. We have offered them fuzzy mice, small hoppers, etc. and nothing...

I don't remember the last time I had to force feed a snake. Usually they eat when they get hungry enough, but we tried to assist them today by starting a fuzzy in their throats, gently latching their teeth in and was going to let nature take it's course.

They're not looking bad yet, so I figure there is another week or two before we need to get drastic. But has anyone here had experience with twinning, and has a good strategy to help them thrive?

Thanks in advance.

here is a photo of them in contrast to one of their siblings.

I can't figure out the photo thing tonight, so here is the link.

https://picasaweb.google.com/quentonius/20130811?authkey=Gv1sRgCPWUoaSayqu0Cw#5911108845635052114

I've only had twins twice, and both times I ended up force feeding, then assist feeding for a couple weeks to a couple months.

Caveman

Thanks! I've had a feeling it was going to go that way. I guess my next question is how long did you wait before deciding? They're both ok now, but they're so far behind their siblings that I'm worried because of their already low weight; however, I guess that lower weight means a partially lower metabolism of nutrients, so they could be ok for a bit longer?

thoughts?

Thanks again.

Are the twins doing the constrict and release? Have you left the fuzzy mice in over night? (Fuzzy mice not hoppers!) Do they have hides? I wouldn't wait to long. You don't want them to start looking bad. When was the last time you offered food?

Caveman

Hi,

no the twins are not doing the constrict and release. Almost all of their siblings are though, and that in itself is frustrating. The twins just aren't showing any interest at all, although, the larger of the twins did some striking at one point, but no follow through.

Yes on the hides, we're trying fuzzy mice every two days. I just avoid force feeding as much as possible, so I'm inclined to wait; however, not having any experience with twins, I prefer to defer to someone else's experience.

I got really lucky with a twin too small to shed last year. He hatched at 19 grams but ate a small fuzzy on his own pre shed to get up to 23 grams and never looked back. So they can be pretty tough. Good luck!
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Randy Remington
www.SnakeMorphs.com
FaceBook.com/SnakeMorphs

Don't know if it had anything to do with it but I happened to be using deep shredded phone book pretty much turning his shoebox into a hide.
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Randy Remington
www.SnakeMorphs.com
FaceBook.com/SnakeMorphs

maybe a pic (not sure if you can link facebook)

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Randy Remington
www.SnakeMorphs.com
FaceBook.com/SnakeMorphs

I agree. It's all about them feeling safe. I've done the crumpled up news paper thing, but shredded, that's a good idea. That's a cool comparison pic with the nickel.

Caveman

Thanks for your input. We borrowed a pinky pump from a petshop earlier today, and well... it's done. I would have rather just kept the mice whole, but the pump seemed to be the easiest and less stressful in the long run.

Which brings up a question.

At what point and/or weight did your twins take food on their own? We realize to feed like this forever is not doable, but we do not keep and breed animals because we are willing to throw them away either. So at what point do you decide to cool them down and let them go?

We don't believe in selling or forcing an animal "to be" if that animal fails to thrive, as that's also the way mother nature works, but for disadvantaged or slow starters giving some assistance so that it can establish itself is totally ok.

I wouldn't say it's a hard choice, but it's not something we take lightly either.

I've had twins eat on their own right off the bat under 20 grams so I don't think there is an absolute minimum.

Up to you what is humane. I was starting to question assist feeding a 2011 bad eye kinked neck hatchling for well over a year but then she took off and now seems to be doing fine.
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Randy Remington
www.SnakeMorphs.com
FaceBook.com/SnakeMorphs

fair enough. We were just having a dilemma, so we will wait and see.

half of their siblings are doing to catch and release thing too, so we're wondering if maybe there is something with this clutch overall that just isn't quite right...