Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 5 new hatchlings from my very first clutch 5 out of 5 eggs all hatched within a day of each other. all shed witin 10-14 days, one ate very first time food item was offered, appox. 2 weeks after shedding. The second ate the 2nd time food was offered, and each of the first two has not missed a meal since . But # 3-5 refuse to take food. I'm not real comfortable force feeding but will do what ever it takes to keep them alive. I have been told to take a mouse pinkie and force the snake to open it's mouth with the nose of pinkie and close snakes jaws down on it and hold it till it's teeth lock into the pinkie and then it should go down , no luck yet. Also to try and use small forceps to force a pinkie down pass snakes thoat, not comfotable with this at all. any tricks or tips will be greatly appreciated!

How long since they hatched? I had one from my first clutch this take ~2 months to eat, but is now eating everything I put in with her. As long as they don't look too thin, be patient. How are they set up?

it's been appox. 6 maybe 7 wks. total. setup in shoebox rack with belly heat set to 85.

Crank up the heat another 5 degrees over the hot spot. Do they have a secure hiding spot? If not, give them one and feed in there. Are you feeding live or frozen thawed? Mice or Rats? try varying your feeding times, feed in the mornings or late at night. Keep mixing it up, eventually you'll find something that works.

Mark

>>it's been appox. 6 maybe 7 wks. total. setup in shoebox rack with belly heat set to 85.

To get them jump started.

9 times out of 10, when a baby doesn't eat, its either the presentation of the food that's the problem, or its the cage setup that's wrong.