I finally gave in trying to get my hatchling zonata pulchra feeding and force fed her a hopper tail.She took it rather easily and didn't regurge it. After force feeding mouse tails do hatchlings start feeding easier since their digestive systems are working? Or is it that much harder to get them feeding on their own? Mybe it makes no difference.What have others expereienced?
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After Force feeding mouse tails?
patd
Oct 06, 2007 05:50 PM
Replies (3)
JKruse
Oct 08, 2007 12:56 AM
Hey Pat,
congratulations on that step forward. One can certainly postulate that it "gets their digestive juices flowing", but I'll tell you that once the "right scent" comes their way, BAM. I have a few obnoxious babies, both zonata and alterna, that have just been so snobbish and stubborn, but once i placed a baby fence lizard in a couple weeks ago it was a WRAP. So nice to see those babies come to life, especially the agalmas. Almost comical to see them creep up on the lizard and wiggle their tails kinda like a baby leopard gecko does just before pouncing on a cricket. Honestly, to save from going crazy Pat, just continue on this flow for a while and brumate for a while at 50-55F. If you need a scenting lizard, give me a shout as well. Again, congrats on getting of substance into that snake and finding some ease in doing it as well!
Jerry Kruse 
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patd
Oct 08, 2007 02:27 PM
Thanks for the encouragment Jerry, all the advice I have been getting in this forum has been very helpful. I could not find a source for baby or even adult fence lizards to purchase locally or through businesses on kingnsake.com so I tried a sceloporus malachitus for scenting. It didn't work. Maybe the "real deal" of a fence lizard would, if you can provide one it would be appreciated.
If not I will continue offering pinkies in a variety of ways and force feeding mouse tails if she won't take them. It sounds like you suggest brumating her in November after she has a few meals in her for a few months in the hope she will eat better after she warms up.
patd
Oct 31, 2007 09:32 AM
After 4 times of force feeding mouse tails on a weekly basis I was shocked yesterday when my female pulchra hatched 8/24/07 ate an unscented live pinky on her own. I may be wrong but I think getting her digestive system going helped to get her eating. Hopefully she will continue feeding now on a regular basis. Thanks to all who gave various tips.
