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A sweet relief, thy name is “baby-indigo-finally-ate.” I got my hatchling eastern to eat, for the first time since leaving the breeder. I thought I’d give the data on what worked and what didn’t work…

7/13/04 – hatched

7/24 – first shed

7/25 – refused frozen/thawed pinkie

7/27 – ate 1 live pinkie

7/30 – refused f/t pinkie

8/1 – ate 1 f/t pinkie scented with chicken broth

8/9 – I picked her up from the breeder (Rob Carmichael) and drove her home (30 minute trip).

8/11 – refused f/t pinkie

8/13 – refused f/t pinkie scented with chicken broth

8/17 – refused f/t pinkie scented with chicken broth

8/21 – I hadn’t seen much of her in the last couple of days, but, on a closer look, noticed her eyes were fogged over and getting ready to shed. So I suspended feeding attempts.

8/23 – Took her with me when I moved back to school (4 hour drive).

8/24 – second shed (healthy, all in one piece, shed…probably helped by my overly humid apartment)

8/25 – refused f/t pinkie dipped in chicken egg (I tried the same pinkie, re-dipped in egg, with a split head, and she refused that as well)

8/27 – I tried a live pinkie (since that was the first accepted meal the snake ate). I placed it in front of her hide. She popped her head out and was definitely curious. She took a few tongue whiffs of the pinkie and even nudged it once…but then her head disappeared back into the hide. A minute later she came out of the hide further and investigated the pinkie – both moving a little further behind the water bowl (so I couldn’t quite see what was happening). I think she bit the pinkie once and then left it alone and went back into her hide. I decided to leave her alone with it for a few hours, but when I came back the poor pinkie was still alive and in the cage. I remembered that someone had mentioned using the water from a tuna can (which I had available). I dowsed the pinkie in the juice and this time, dropped it right into the snake’s hide. I heard her jump in surprise and slide to the other end of the hide. But then she put her head forward and investigated the pinkie. Then, she finally grabbed it and pulled it out of sight. I heard a few squeaks and then silence. Afterward, she came out of the hide and was very active, which was strange for her and that time of the evening (maybe she was doing victory laps…I know I was). I was dieing to know for sure, but resisted lifting up the hide until this morning as I didn’t want to scare her or make her regurgitate. No pinkie.

So, between the scent of tuna and perhaps the anger of having a little wriggling thing invading her private space, she was induced to eat. I will now try a frozen/thawed pinkie with tuna juice next. Hopefully this is the end of her stubbornness and I can get on to more crucial things…like naming her.

I am starting to understand how indigos earn so much loyalty from their owners. The snakes I owned as a teenager were just things I purchased at a pet shop. But between the various ordeals of getting an indigo (waiting lists, permits, long incubation times, and getting a hatchling to eat) it really makes you feel like you earned something.

Oh and thanks to the person(s) who recommended the tuna juice…thanks for two reasons. One – it got my hatchling to eat. And two – had I not read that and tried it, I might have (years from now) not thought twice about picking up my giant, adult indigo just after eating a tuna sandwich…

she was looking for more no doubt....funny thing is that a lot of folks way under feed their neonates but way over feed their adults. the inverse is actually true. congrats and best of luck!!

Thanks. Yeah, I'm sure she was looking for more (that was my last). Next time I'll try feeding her a few more.

Once they get to feeding good, you have to watch out or they will get too fat!
T.
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"No tree would have branches foolish enough to argue amongst themseleves".

When she seemed restless after eating, you probably could have got her to eat a couple more. Next time she eats, I would be prepared to try a second or third. That's just me, though. Later,
T.
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"No tree would have branches foolish enough to argue amongst themseleves".

I still need to take a pick of her (I don't yet have a digital camera), but her is a picture Rob sent me from when she hatched. Nos the redness on her mouth and nose is mostly gone (except for a little lite dot at the tip of her mouth). She's pretty much jet black now.

-Josh

Nice irridecence. Glad she ate for ya. your' on the right track.
T.
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"No tree would have branches foolish enough to argue amongst themseleves".

My experience is limited.

What my experience tells me is that Drymarchons like fish (and poultry).

A finicky baby might be enticed by feeder goldfish. Toss the doomed goldfish in front of the hide - I don't know it the scent or movement is the attraction.

Once the baby will eat goldfish reliably, scent pinkies with fish - tuna juice, baitfish from the bait shop, or brained goldfish. They might take coaxing, but they are worth it.

Chicken broth or scenting with chicken fat has also worked for me. They like birds!

Once you have them over the transition to rodents, the Drymarchons are voracious. They want to eat, eat, eat, eat, eat.