Reptile & Amphibian Forums

On july 21 I had a clutch of 21 eggs hatch. about 10 days later they all shed. once they shed i started to offer them F/T pinkies. first time august 4, 7 out of the 21 ate. second try August 11, 11 out of the 21 ate. is there a time i should start worrying that the rest have not eaten. and how should i go about getting the rest to eat.

You shouln't really start to worry about them until you see weight loss. But you should start trying different ways to get them to eat now before they start to loose weight.

Are you isolating them now? If not try putting each hatchling in a small ziplock container (sandwich size ones work good). cover them with a towel and leave them for about 30min or so check every 10 to see if they have eaten.

If that dosn't work sometimes braining the pinkies works. Braining is when you make a small slit in the top of the pinkies head. Some hatchlings like that.

Or you can try unscenting the pinkies. Which means washing them to make them smell less like pinkies.

And as a last resort you can try assist/force feeding. This should only be done as a LAST resort as it can be very stressful.

I always try anoles as a last resort with nonfeeders. I always use frozen-thawed b/c live anoles are a pain in the butt to deal with. Sometimes after washing or 'unscenting' the pinkies, it helps to scent them with the anoles by rubbing the anoles against them or grinding up the anole and dipping the pinkie in the messy mix. I have only had the anole trick work once for me so I'm not a big fan but others have had great success with it.
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Sincerely,
Jason
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www.members.aol.com/northeastsnakes

Imagine if you could buy f/t pinkies already scented? Wouldn't it be great if you could buy them from the rodent breeders/sellers? lol. Sorry...had a little too much Cruzan tonight so I'm a little slap happy.lol.
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Sincerely,
Jason
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www.members.aol.com/northeastsnakes