Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a crimson corn hatchling and a white-sided black rat hatchlings that are refusing to eat. How long till I worry, and what can I try to get them to start eating?

chris
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0.2.0 Grey Rats-Lauren, Avril
1.2.0 Black Rats- Robert, Cady, Kylie
1.2.0 Albino FL Kings-Nick, Jessica, Ashley
1.1.0 Crimson Corns-Kane, Ruby
0.1.0 Het-Crimson Corns-Lola
0.1.0 White-Sided/Pos Het Albino Black Rat-Lita
1.0.0 Albino White-sided Black Rat-Rey
0.1.0 Fl King-Bonnie
1.0.0 Biak GTP-Brandon
1.0.0 Flame X Blood Bearded-Ruff
1.2.0 Ball Pythons-Donnie, Gretchen, Alexis
0.1.0 Red-tail Boa-Xena
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor-Izzy

Try frozen thawed or live pink mice. If the corn or rat won't accept those prey items your husbandry is most likely suspect. Good luck. Ken

I'm using live newborn pinky mice. And seeing as how i have 13 other collubrids (8 hatchlings) all in the same set-up, and they're the only 2 NOT eating....don't see where my husbandry is the problem.

Chris
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0.2.0 Grey Rats-Lauren, Avril
1.2.0 Black Rats- Robert, Cady, Kylie
1.2.0 Albino FL Kings-Nick, Jessica, Ashley
1.1.0 Crimson Corns-Kane, Ruby
0.1.0 Het-Crimson Corns-Lola
0.1.0 White-Sided/Pos Het Albino Black Rat-Lita
1.0.0 Albino White-sided Black Rat-Rey
0.1.0 Fl King-Bonnie
1.0.0 Biak GTP-Brandon
1.0.0 Flame X Blood Bearded-Ruff
1.2.0 Ball Pythons-Donnie, Gretchen, Alexis
0.1.0 Red-tail Boa-Xena
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor-Izzy

Don't take it personally, I was unaware of your level of experience. Its not unusual for some beginners to not know the prey preferences of their charges. Also no offence but corns and rats are very hardy beginner level snakes and if they won't eat its usually husbandry related. I'm just trying to help, don't take this as a personal attack.

I'd contact the breeder/supplier of the snakes and find out what they were eating in his/her care prior to your purchase. Ken

Well, I posted cause the breeder was going to be out of town for a show and I didn't think I'd get a chance to talk to him for a week or so. The hatchlings are just that, hatchlings. Most of them hadn't taken a meal yet when I brought them home (figured it was a good way to get practice at dealing with hatchlings for next year when I get my first clutches). I asked cause I haven't dealt with animals this young, and wasn't too sure what was acceptable...force feeding is obviously out of the question with snakes this small. If you don't ask, you don't learn right? Anyways, no hard feelings...just ask before assuming next time

Chris
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0.2.0 Grey Rats-Lauren, Avril
1.2.0 Black Rats- Robert, Cady, Kylie
1.2.0 Albino FL Kings-Nick, Jessica, Ashley
1.1.0 Crimson Corns-Kane, Ruby
0.1.0 Het-Crimson Corns-Lola
0.1.0 White-Sided/Pos Het Albino Black Rat-Lita
1.0.0 Albino White-sided Black Rat-Rey
0.1.0 Fl King-Bonnie
1.0.0 Biak GTP-Brandon
1.0.0 Flame X Blood Bearded-Ruff
1.2.0 Ball Pythons-Donnie, Gretchen, Alexis
0.1.0 Red-tail Boa-Xena
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor-Izzy

Take the hatchlings and place them each, with a live pinkie, in a small deli dish. Place these deli dishes back in each of their vivs or tanks or whatever, turn off the lights and leave them for a couple of hours undisturbed. It's better to do this in the evening.
Check them after a couple of hours. If they haven't eaten take a pin and poke a hole through the pinkie's skull into the brain making sure to release a little brain juice. Place them back in the dark and leave them over night. This usually triggers them to eat.
The best time to do this is about a week after the last failed feeding attempts. Give them time to get over any stress and build up a little more appetite.

If this doesn't work, get back with us and we will work from there.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

_____

thanks for the advice. I'll be trying again on thursday, hopefully that'll work.
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0.2.0 Grey Rats-Lauren, Avril
1.2.0 Black Rats- Robert, Cady, Kylie
1.2.0 Albino FL Kings-Nick, Jessica, Ashley
1.1.0 Crimson Corns-Kane, Ruby
0.1.0 Het-Crimson Corns-Lola
0.1.0 White-Sided/Pos Het Albino Black Rat-Lita
1.0.0 Albino White-sided Black Rat-Rey
0.1.0 Fl King-Bonnie
1.0.0 Biak GTP-Brandon
1.0.0 Flame X Blood Bearded-Ruff
1.2.0 Ball Pythons-Donnie, Gretchen, Alexis
0.1.0 Red-tail Boa-Xena
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor-Izzy

>>thanks for the advice. I'll be trying again on thursday, hopefully that'll work.
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That should work but it if not just let us know and we will provide a few more ideas.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

_____