Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am having a hard time tring to get two clutchs to eat.
They were born 7/15. I have tried mice hopper, pinks, and rat pinks and fuzzys with no luck. Any one have any tricks or hints I can try..? Is smell/sent play a big part? I can only get mice from the same place and wonder if its there mice. I had the same problem with my first clutch and a friend brought me some mice and the whole clutch ate. but he dose not have any to sell. Help any info would be great.

Thanks!!

Have they eaten at all? 7/15 to now, they should be eating. Is their environment setup properly? Do they have proper temps and security? I had some slow starters but not longer than 2 months.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

Nothing wont even touch them.. just 2 clutchs

They are all in the same rack. My 18 others are doing great.

I honestly have had better luck starting hatchlings off on frozen thawed than on live - if it's been over two months and they have not eaten yet - its probably about time to start trying to assist feeding them - one or two assist feeds and they should pick up the eating on their own - Yes if the mice/rats you are getting are picking up some funky odor at the pet store - it's possible that that may be the reason why you're snake aren't eating them. Maybe you can get some used bedding from your friend or someone - bring the mice home and let them run around in the bedding for a day or two then try feeding them.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

I think there bedding is too dirty at the place were I buy them?
Should I try washing the rodents?

I don't know about washing rodents - it may work or not - maybe just putting them on a different kind of bedding for a couple of days, and they'll most likely groom themselves clean and edible. Anything is worth a shot.

If I were you - I'd prekill a couple of them and assist feed normally it takes one meal (maybe two) to get their instincts to kick in and then your good to go. I wouldn't use flagyl on hatchlings - it's just too dangerous and unneccesary if they'll eat by assist feeding.

You said they are pieds - which are notoriously bad eaters - that may be the only problem.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

I read an article that low dosing with Metronidazole (a.k.a Flagyl)induces a feeding response in snakes that will not eat. A few months ago I had two picky eaters that were down to below 50grams that I dosed at 1/2 the normal dose, I think I used 20mg/kg (it was tricky) but it worked; three days later they both ate. No kidding.

Regards,
Alan

Do you think I should try?? I do have some.

How ever the clutchs are pastel/pied hets.
So you can see my point..