Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just a couple words of encouragement to those first breeding/hatching bloods/stp's for the first time. Avoid assist feeding as long as you can. BUT keep offering up different food sources. For the last few years I noticed those with full yolks often hold out long periods of time before even thinking of eating. So starting at week 2-3, offer first meal-live small mice or rat pup. Try again with this one more time. Also try larger sized live mice. Try frozen thawed large mice. Heat the mice up to 100-105F and feed at night, low light. I even left the food on the hatchling and cover with the hide box.

I recently had a batch of stubborn hatchlings go over two months only to take a frozen thawed adult mouse for first meal! Runt animals are far less likely to succeed and eat (those under 40g) and those with what I call "pinhead" or a narrow rectangular head shape unlike the characteristic triangle python head.

Good luck and I hope others can contribute their experiences and wisdom.

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www.richcrowleyreptiles.com
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Great topic Rich, Assist feeding I believe should be a last resort when you see noticable weight loss, but I also think it's important to not wait too long, a weak snake may die from the stress of being assist fed.
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Zack Greens Reptiles

Awesome topic Rich, I am in the very process of getting my little guys to eat (black bloods), and it is a task. I have so far gotten 7 out of 12 to take food. Not a bad ratio all things considered. At any rate, the work continues. I am going to be attempting bird down feathers and also Hamster or Gerbil fur clippings attached to damp fuzzy rats. All food possibilities (scents) are being ruled in before being ruled out! -A
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Have you hugged your Blood today?

Have you tried about 2 to 3 inches of damp long fiber spagnum substrate. Keep temps in the mid-80's and wait until they sit with just their nose sticking out of the spagnum. Place live juvenile mice in at night. A red bulb over the caging area will allow observation in a dark room. Never tried it with blacks, but I have never had this fail with neonate bloods.

Kelly

I got exactly this same advice a while back from Kelly (about the sphagnum moss, etc.). It absolutely worked. Since then, that snake has fed very regularly and has tripled in size. She's eating medium sized FT rats now. That was really great advice from you Kelly!