Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have just had a few coachwhips in here and I am looking for tips on how to get them started feeding.

Supposedly the reds have eaten some tiny lizards but ideally i need to get them onto pinkies asap, I can probably use live pinks but lizards are trickier to get hold of at the right size.

The easterns I dont think have fed yet, one is tiny.

I know that once they have started to feed I wont have problems, one of the reds takes defrost very well just all the others that need to get started.

The first pic is the reds BTW Paul (coluber) though hopefully you will get your two soon enough. I'd just like them to start feeding first if possible.

Mike

They perhaps need to be separated and feel secure to feed but try crickets and then scent pinks with crickets if they take them. Just squash and cricket and rub the juice on the pink and that works good with getting racers onto pinks and might work with coachwhips. Either case, don't let them go too long without food and perhaps assist feed something to keep their bellies interested in food. Good luck.

Dan

Cool, I will try that at the weekend. see what happens.

Mike

Dan...thanks from me as well!!!...some of these babies are mine...LOL!!

Paul

Well as an update, no scenting or livefoods(insects) are working, so far that is.

Having said that I put pinkies in the mouths and 2 more ate them once it was just placed in the mouth. So fingers crossed they have the taste for mice now.

Mike

I just got another coachwhip this week. I got it to take a pinkie after I messed with it til it took a bite on the head. After a few seconds, it swallowed it down : D
Masticophis flagellum testaceus

I teased fed it again today, hard to take pics while holding the snake. Anyhow, eating right out of my hand.

Great pictures Jerry...thanks!!...hopefully our little guys will do the same.

Paul

An update.

5 out of 5 red hatchlings are feeding, the 2 eastern hatchlings are taking a bit more persuading. Had to put the pinks in the mouth and they will now eat..... If I don't move for the next half hour that is.

One of the adult easterns is still not eating, maybe it wants to be in cooldown. The other is snatching the food and ripping it out of tongs. Very violent !

Mike

Great news Mike....I'll be over for my babies very soon !!

Paul