baby not eating assist feeding advice

[darkballs666]

5 weeks ago i picked up 2 new baby balls both norms both from same dealer

dealer said from same clutch cb

both have

12lt rub lidded to help with humidity
2 hides both same
temps are 80-82 to 92-94
humidity is 55-63 %
water bowl
paper towel sub-strait

1 feed after a week settling in and continues to feed fine just leave it in rub and in a few min its gone

the other has not feed at all so looking to assist as is thin have tried scenting, braining, leaving over night

if i assist feed and they spit it out just after they have it in there mouth (don't mean regurgitation) do i just try again or wait for next week so dont stress her out to much ?

[llovelace]

When assist feeding feeding, get the pinkie in it's mouth and gently hold it's mouth closed & pull back on pinkie to lock snakes teeth on to it to prevent it from spitting it out, then gently place snake back in enclosure.

Check out youtube for some videos on assist feeding, they may help.

How much weight has the snake lost?

[darkballs666]

when i got her she was 65-66 now 57-58 but looks thin along spine i now it does not look much loss but with her being so young and small i cant help

if she had more weight to begin with or had feed at any point with me i would not be as worried as i am lol

[llovelace]

Assist feed then, hopefully you will only have to do it once or twice, good luck

[darkballs666]

thanks for fast response

but like i say if they spit it out do i just try agin till it takes or do i wait a couple of day before trying again?

[llovelace]

If she spits it out, then that means you didn't set the pinkie, try again, after a couple attemps and she still doesn't take, wait 5 more days then try again. The key is setting the pinkie, then the snake's only option is to swallow.

[sho220]

I went through the same thing last year...like was mentioned, check out some assist feeding videos to get an idea of the process. If there are any breeders in your area maybe give them a call and ask for help/advise...

My ordeal from last year...http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...need-advice...

[darkballs666]

thanks for the info

have been reading up on it just getting facts straight before i start any thing dont want to make it to stressful

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

First off, what are you trying to feed? Often times, simply trying a different feeder will work. It almost always works for me. Out of multiple clutches, I usually only have to assist feed one or 2 a couple times to get them started.

A mouse fussy/hopper that moves around a lot usually does the trick for me. Even for tiny babies.

For instance.. This tiny girl wouldn't wouldn't eat for weeks. Not even an ASF fuzzy. I offered her an active mouse fuzzy/hopper and she snatched it right up.



Don't let size deter you too much. A mouse that has just reached the stage between fuzzy and hopper shouldn't be too big. It's movement, fur, and scent that usually does it.

If all else fails, assist feed a couple times with a pinky until the baby figures it out.

[kitedemon]

Just a thought you might think on dropping your hot side temps a touch. Try 88-90 small snakes do not need as much heat as bigger ones. They have faster metabolisms and digestion can add a degree or two to a hide. Add thermometer variations and they may well be too hot. Just thinking.