Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Left another pinky mouse in with the 2 hatchlings that wouldn't eat, and they again ignored it. Tried the cutting into the head thing, and they still ignored it. All the other hatchlings ate again this week. So whats the next step?

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

>>Left another pinky mouse in with the 2 hatchlings that wouldn't eat, and they again ignored it. Tried the cutting into the head thing, and they still ignored it. All the other hatchlings ate again this week. So whats the next step?
>>
>>Chris
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Invest in a pinky pump,force manually,try anoles,tree frogs,toads,crickets,earthworms.You have to prime them up a little then they should take off.If all else fails try brumation.If that doesnt work your kings wont let them go to waste....Paul
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Taste like chicken

At this point, I think you need to just let him be for a while. The stress of handling can make some snakes shut down (or stay shut off). Try hii again in 5-7 days. he'll be fine.

Well, the 2 snakes that won't eat are hatchlings, and this would be their first time, which is why I'm trying to make sure they eat asap. I haven't been handling them at all for the past 2 weeks to try and keep their stress levels down in hopes they'd eat. if they don't eat the pinkies by morning, Ill just have to wait and try again next week I guess.

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

If they don't eat next week, there is another idea for you. Have you ever heard of the Kathy and Bill Love tease-feeding method? They describe it in their book and its very effective. You essentiall hold the hatchling just behind the head, lightly tap him on the nose with a pinkie. Brngh the pinkie from the side, however, not straight on. They grab at it out of reflx and, hopefully, hold on. It took me severla efforts to get it right but it works. I highly recommend it. I'd get their book and read it for an accurate description.

I have a friend that was in a similar position recently and he put a few crickets in with hatchlings that wouldn't eat. Something about the movement got them going, they were fine from then on. They did eat the crickets by the way. Also, the crickets will stay alive for a couple days, and won't hurt the snakes. Worth a try, good luck, Eric-

Marcel in the corn forum had picks of hatchlings pounding crickets.
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Taste like chicken

Did you save the pics? I would dearly love to see those and I couldn't find them by searching the forum. If nothing else, how long ago was that? I could just open every Marcel post in the archives from that time frame.

I've been feeding crickets to corn snakes for many years. I posted this info on the corn forum a few times but each time I am labelled a "troll" or accused of photoshop trickery. *shrug* Ken

that is clearly not a doctored image. I always felt that it made sense for very small NA rats and Corns to start on something smaller. Even the most famous name in Corn Snakes insisted that picture copldn't happen. Other snakes transition thier main food items as they age, why not Rats and Corns? Thanks. I'll be copying that photo if you don't mind.

..

>>I've been feeding crickets to corn snakes for many years. I posted this info on the corn forum a few times but each time I am labelled a "troll" or accused of photoshop trickery. *shrug* Ken
>>
>>
>>Great pic Ken.I try and stay out of the corn forum anymore unless something catches my eye...Paul
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Taste like chicken

>>Did you save the pics? I would dearly love to see those and I couldn't find them by searching the forum. If nothing else, how long ago was that? I could just open every Marcel post in the archives from that time frame.

Marcel also had pics of him force feeding day old chick legs.He doesnt take no for an answer.lol..Paul
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Taste like chicken

>>Did you save the pics? I would dearly love to see those and I couldn't find them by searching the forum. If nothing else, how long ago was that? I could just open every Marcel post in the archives from that time frame.

I couldn't find the pics of the cricket eaters, but I did find a few pics of his of a tiny python eating chick legs.

Python Forum

Feeding trick **PICS** - Marcel Poots, Fri Nov 26 09:40:46 2004
http://forums.kingsnake.com/viewarch.php?id=641641,641641&key=2004

A tips for you on feeding none feeders **PICS** - Marcel Poots, Thu Nov 18 13:48:13 2004
http://forums.kingsnake.com/viewarch.php?id=633957,633957&key=2004
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PHWyvern

>>Left another pinky mouse in with the 2 hatchlings that wouldn't eat, and they again ignored it. Tried the cutting into the head thing, and they still ignored it. All the other hatchlings ate again this week. So whats the next step?
>>
>>Chris
>>-----

Chris, from your post it sounds to me as if you have the two snakes together and you just put one pinkie in the enclosure with both snakes and expected that to work.
If that IS what you did then you can only expect bad results.
Please clarify this so we can offer more possibilities.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

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They are in seperate shoebox sized rubbermaid containers.

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

>>They are in seperate shoebox sized rubbermaid containers.
>>
>>Chris

When you try to feed them you need to place them in small deli dishes. Something that does not allow them to avoid the pinkie.
Since it didn't work this week wait another week before you try again.
Remember, try live and try in the evening. If they haven't eaten within a couple of hours poke a hole (brain) and leave them over night.
Jimmy
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

_____

Hi Chris. Another thing you could try would be very small live feeder anoles. I have had alot of success with getting little rat and king snakes started by using them in the past. Another option if things get desperate, would be to force feed mouse legs and/or tails. Sometimes just a meal or two like this will get them going. Also, overall stress levels can contribute to a hatchling not eating. Make sure they have a tight shelter and maybe raise the temps a little. Definitley wait at least another 3-5 days before trying anything else. Good luck!

>>Left another pinky mouse in with the 2 hatchlings that wouldn't eat, and they again ignored it. Tried the cutting into the head thing, and they still ignored it. All the other hatchlings ate again this week. So whats the next step?
>>
>>Chris
>>-----
>>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