Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a really tempermental neonate when it comes to feeding. The shortest duration between feedings has been 13 days but typically feedings average once a month. I have had this snake since the 1st of December and it has fed 4 times on thawed hoppers or fresh killed hoppers.

Should I be a bit worried or am I a bit overzealous? I'm wondering if mabey I'm not getting the thawed prey items hot enough before presentation as tonight after holding a thawed hopper to the heat lamp for about 45 seconds or so it did elicit a couple half-hearted strikes.

The snake rushes out when the mouse is presented...only to shy away. Any tips??

Bill

What was it taking before you got it?
CraigC

It was taking hopper/weaned mice. I did get it to eat last night. I "think" I may have been presenting the mouse mabey a bit too slowly and deliberately. Last night I superheated a thawed fuzzy mouse and instead of slowly offering it I "jerked" it in a spastic-type motion from side to side and it slammed it.
At least at this rate there's no chance of power-feeding this little gem LOL! Though my chowhound neonate Lereh GTP benefits from failed attempts w/the ETB! The darn thing would eat every day if I let it!

Bill

So it was taking live. Some advice, if it won't take the f/t's, give it live. It sounds like it is getting "desprit" before it takes the f/t. We don't usually get them to take f/t until six months or more and we start with pre-killed first. I think you will find the transition easier.
Craig

Thanks Craig. It did eat a freshly killed hopper the first time I fed it but it was tentative even then. I then tried live but it shied away. I may wait about three weeks and try live again. Any thoughts to rat pinks?

Bill