Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok...does anyone got some tricks to get a hatchling feeding
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0.0.1 IJ Carpet Python
0.0.1 Colombian Boa
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0.0.1 rose hair tarantula

What have you tried?
Who did you get it from?
What sort of enclosure is it in?
How large is it?
When was it's last meal?
Has it ever ate for you?
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Julian Garcia
Chondros Exquisite
Seattle,WA

All of Julians questions are important... The answers to those questions will most likely point in the right direction...

if you are unable to get it to eat i would suggest talking to a breeder on the phone about some feeding ideas... Typing all that out can be a big pain... Or you can try and find the reptile magazine feom about 2 months ago, it had 25 good techniques in it...

is this your first Chondro?? What else have you kept???

Shiloh
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Shiloh Hawkesworth
kansas
(Midwest Serpents)

wow i totally forgot about that issue of reptiles...this is my first gtp...i have currently what my signature says...and i have also kept an oriental whip snake, jungle carpet, and a wc white lip that would only eat birds until i switched him over...unfotunately he was very large and very very agresive so i sold it...didnt have the abilitys i do now to handle agression lol...but this is my first gtp and its a hatchling thats never eaten...my ijc was the same but it did eventually eat and is now a sub adult
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0.0.1 Borneo Blood Python
0.0.1 IJ Carpet Python
0.0.1 Colombian Boa
0.0.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 Aru GTP
0.0.1 rose hair tarantula

it has never eaten b4,,,hence the problem...i know once it gets that first meal im all clear for the most part..its just gettin it to know what its sposed to do lol...i got it from extreme reptiles here in ny....i had it in a extra lg exo-terra but due to the need of slightly higher humidity and my need for more control of the snake with out stressing it out having to take it out of the trees it is now in a plastic deli type cup with 2 perches in the cup...i tried first showing the pinky to it...then tried leaving it in its cup...and also tried to get an angry bite response but still only got 1 semi closed mouth strike
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0.0.1 Borneo Blood Python
0.0.1 IJ Carpet Python
0.0.1 Colombian Boa
0.0.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 Aru GTP
0.0.1 rose hair tarantula

If xteme reptiles sold you a hatchling that has not eaten you should DEMAND your money back. Also, if this is the case it’s a testament to their business and I would recommend you or anyone else ever buy an animal of any sort from them.

However I don’t know if it is true or not, so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.

So, here’s the scoop.

If your chondro has NEVER eaten for you, you’re in serious trouble. It’s common place to loose hatchling because they don’t eat. It’s also common place for them to just die unexpectedly. This is why breeders (key word is breeders) never let their chondros go until they are solid, have 10 or so meals in them and are showing all signs of health. Any one who has the “pleasure” of rearing a batch of chondros can tell you that it’s many, many late nights and swearing to get these guys to eat. To sum it up, its not fun.

There are a lot of tips someone can give you. I recommend that you first put the chondro in a small plastic tub, a single plastic perch, paper towel substrate, and a small water dish. You are going to want to keep these guys in a lab setting for a while so you can notice everything about them, as if anything were to go astray you would want to catch is that day.

Anyway, good luck.

My recommendation for your next chondro… go CBB you will NEVER have these sorts of problems and in the rare case that you do, a dedicated breeder will be on the phone with you day or night. I as well as other breeders offer life time support for every animal they sell.
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Julian Garcia
Chondros Exquisite
Seattle,WA

Greetings,
I am in agreement with Julian. It pisses me off each time I hear of businesses selling neonate chondros to people like yourself (who unfortunately do not know the ropes with chondros and further end up making a purchase). The seller in the meantime is laughing twirling their money and you have a life on your hands. This is not so much your fault at all, but now.....what to do with the little one.

The deli cup gig has got to go. Once again, go with Julian's suggestions and get a small Rubbermaid shoebox (approx 2 gal or so) and set up some plastic clothes hanger type of perches in the classic "tic-tac-toe" arrangement. Then drill out some ventilation holes along the sides etc....(check out Maxwell's site......seriously!!!!).

Once you have the little one in a quality set up.....leave it alone! and allow for it to acclimate. This is how the imported farm hatched chondros live their unfortunate short lives. Note that virtually all of the herp brokers have neonate chondros in....they all purchased their gross lots (at discount prices) and are now selling them off quickly before they die in their possession. They would rather get a quick buck from an inexperienced herper than let them die in their possession. It's a sas life these beautiful animals have to live. But it doesn't have to be so...buy captive bred by a solid deadicated breeder. They do exist--trust me!

Also....fyi....many times getting baby chondros to accept their second or even third meal can be even MORE difficult than the first meal. if you have hair on your head currently, be prepared to donate much of it over the next month or two.

Keep us posted on your new set up and we can take it from there. But you might want to express your sincere lack of satisfaction with the seller. If they recognize the value of customers. they should do whatever they can to make it right. If they don't....well, they just told you how reliable and trustworthy they are. You didn't have to do it for them.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

RCulver

lol well i realize that writing messages after work is bad cause it sounds worse then it actually is...i knew exactly what i was getting myself into with this snake as although im not experienced in keeping gtp....i am well enough educated in them and also very experienced with snakes...i have delt with many types of feeding issues including getting hatchlings started...being ive never had a gtp i wanted to see if anyone had some tips...xtreme is actually pretty good as far as there reptiles...i belieave now that the chondro is having its first shed so thasts why it is refusing food...at least part of it
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0.0.1 Borneo Blood Python
0.0.1 IJ Carpet Python
0.0.1 Colombian Boa
0.0.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 Aru GTP
0.0.1 rose hair tarantula