Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,
I just got a Sept. '03 albino nelsons milk a week ago. I fed him the day after I got him and again three days later, on smaller sized pinkies. The second time I had to put him in a delicup for at least an hour with the pinkie before he finally took it. That was Sunday. Sometime last night, he barfed it up, partially digested. What should I do, just feed him again, not feed him as often, or wait a day, or what? I have had baby snakes before, but never milks, and have never had this happen.

Thanks,
animalmaniac

wait a week or two before offering food again. if it eats, wait a week before offering food again. only gradually build up to more frequent feedings. and don't feed big food items. start small, stay medium.

as a general rule, it's apporpriate to wait 2-3 days before feeding animals you've just gotten. You don't say whether yours was shipped to you, moved from a pet storel, or what, but typically there's some stress involved and feeding immediately (like the next day) isn't well advised. Louis Porras, whom i consider "Mr Honduran", used to tell people he wouldn't guarantee the hondurans he sold them if they fed them in the first couple days after getting them.

good luck!

terry dunham
albino tricolors
st pete, florida

A-Maniac,

Terry's advice is right on the mark (as usual). I find it best to initially feed baby snakes once a week. When become active and start looking for food more often, then I'll increase the frequency of feedings. While some young snakes can eat every other day, not all can. Your best bet is to let the snake set its feeding pace.

Tim

Third Eye