Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I took the advice concurred by all and heated up all the babies this afternoon. I didn't plan on feeding today but since I have a litter of newborn pinks on hand I left a live pinkie for each on the warm end of the shoeboxes where all are hanging out. None of them had eaten afer over an hour. So the Question I pose is: How long on heat after a three month brumation at 45-55 degrees (though up to 65 during the day as of the past few days) should I wait before offering food?
Thanks, Carl

I don't believe there is a "rule of thumb" on this one brother. As long as we provide the best possible micro-environment for these snakes, they will decide when they are ready. The small newbie pinks are a great idea, and popping one in for a couple days won't hurt to see if it takes to it. It owrked for a couple of my baby agalma, as the movement seemed to stimulate them enough. But it did not work for all of them. One fool proof way is to collect/have sent to you baby lizards (I prefer using fence lizards) to feed to the little obnoxious ones, or, scenting with those lizards. The methods that follow, which I am sure you're familiar with (i.e.: split brain pinks, forcing a pink head, using a blunt-end catheter connected to a small syringe to feed supplements, etc etc), are the subsequent options if that is not working. But do give 'em a few days to "thaw" and then pop in a newborn live pink. I assume you have these babies in nothing more than a shoe box? Maybe something smaller may work as well so they do not get "lost" and not find their food. The Container Store sells small plastic boxes that are half the size of shoe boxes, and are ideal for small hatchling colubrid housing. Just a thought. Keep us posted! And kudos on your diligence.

Jerry Kruse