Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Picked these up this evening...

Tiger snake babies, Notechis scutatus.
They are about a week old, and approx 5-6 inches in length.

Tomorrow, they'll begin their forcefeeding (rat legs).

Cheers,
Aaron.
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Happy Herping

You Lucky Dog............
You know how long I have looked for these here?
I cant find them anywhere... I envy you..

They're pretty easy to get hold of here in Australia (though are a lot easier to keep if you live in the South-East of the country where it's cooler).

To make you even more envious... the man who I went to buy them off gave them to me for free, and also showed me the majority of his collection (one by one!)... saw redbellied blacks, collett's snakes, browns, taipans, death adders, olives, water pythons, carpets, crocs, turtles, blueys, cunningham skinks, etc, etc... was awesome. (Thanks Ray!!)

Cheers,
Aaron.
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Happy Herping

First, I will admit I have no experience with tigers (and like the other person said, you are very fortunate as long as you don't get bit), however, having worked with many different species of elapids from all over the world, I can't think of one occasion that I had to force feed a youngster (even with species that are hard wired to take reptiles/amphibians for first feedings). So, my question is, why force feed? It seems to me that a little tried and proven scenting along with a healthy dose of patience would do the trick. Resorting to force feeding hots is a nice recipe for disaster in my opinion.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>Picked these up this evening...
>>
>>Tiger snake babies, Notechis scutatus.
>>They are about a week old, and approx 5-6 inches in length.
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>>Tomorrow, they'll begin their forcefeeding (rat legs).
>>
>>Cheers,
>>Aaron.
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>> Happy Herping
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Rob,

Tiger snakes can be very picky eaters. Whilst I admit I could have waited them out a week, and tried all the usual methods (braining, scenting, etc), there was a 90% chance that I would've had to resort to forcing anyways. This way, I can forcefeed before the animals start to lose any condition, which is ultimately safer for them as opposed to leaving them another week or so.

I know of a few keepers of large collections here who don't even bother offering food unforced (I did, several times) for the first few months (And I've heard of Tigers who have had to be forcefed for up to 7 months!).

Cheers,
Aaron.

PS - these guys are reasonably docile little fellers. They are pretty easily pinned using long tweezers, and are too small to kick up a fuss in a two fingered grip.
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Happy Herping

The same can be said for neonate Deinagkistrodon Acutus. I tried everything from anoles, skinks, frogs, geckos, minnows, f/t pinks, brained, rotten pinks, live, ect. They would not take anything! I had to force feed my neo's until 6-7 months of age when the decided to eat on their own.

lol You've gotto wonder why they just change their minds one day!
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Happy Herping