Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I purchased a baby corn snake almost 2 weeks ago. He is in approx. 5 gallon container. (It's for reptiles, plastic, snap on lid, plenty of airation.) There is a heating pad under 1/2 the tank. There is a hiding shell. I am using reptile bark. I was told to feed him pinkies. I was told to defrost them in warm/hot water and then put the snake in another container and shake the pinky around the snake. I tried this and the snake did not eat. I tried opening the head and it did not eat. I tried feeding the snake 3 times, including leaving the pinky in the cage overnight/for a few days. Nothing. How do I get the snake to eat? I do not want to resort to live food. Thanks for any suggestions you can give.

i have found a good way to get some of my babys corns to eat like the one in the pic,,,,, ok first get a baby jar put some air holes in the lid and put a live pinky in it ,and your snake,,,,this way he is in a small place and the pinky will drive him crazy and he might eat it,,,, this trick has worked for me for a while sometime it take a few hours or so, but don't hold the jar and spin it around to see what he is doing put him in there and leave him, you will here the pinky cry when it is time,,,,,,,, and keep in mind not put him on anything warm or hot just room temp and away from windows!!!!! jars heat up quick!!!!! and have good amount of air holes in the lid so he get air this has worked for me good luck

tjsreptiles

If you don't want to try live, here are some suggestions.

Up the humidity in the feeding chanber (warm wet paper towel, misting etc.)

Try feeding in the evening (when the snake becomes more active).

Hold the snake so the back 2/3rds is more or less immobile. Tease him with the F/T pinkie. The goal is to get him to strike at it. The minute he does so freeze. Chances are reasonable that once he gets his mouth on the pinkie instincts will take over and he will swallow it. Stay still with him in your hand until he either spits it out or gets the whole thing down.

Try soaking the pinkie in chicken broth for a few minutes. I've also heard water from tuna fish, but I've had more luck with chicken broth.

Try poking a needle into the brain of the pinkie. Squeeze out some brain matter, then offer the pinkie.

Take a wet paper towel to your friendly neighborhood pet store. Ask them if they would rub it over a lizard. Wrap the pinkie in it for a time before offering it to your snake (again something I've heard of, but not had success with).

Try one or more methods every few day (not ever day you don't want to stress the snake) until successful.

How old is the baby? Was he eating successfully before you got him?

Good Luck
Corinne
dragonfly@w-link.net

thank you for everyone who replied, i do not know how old my snake is , he is about 14 inches long. and the pet store said he had eaten mice on ice.

thanx again

Josh Cohen