Feeding a hatchling

[alan12013]

Has any one had success feeding a fresh shed ball python frozen thawed? I've tried twice and it didn't work. Are they too small for a grown mouse? Mine shed about 4 days ago and I need to feed him asap. If I can't figure it out today I will be driving in traffic some distance today to get a live pinkie mouse.

[Dave Green]

I'm at the point where 95%+ of my babies will eat frozen thawed as their first meal. Try giving the baby a couple hides and see which it prefers. Then leave a f/t right outside the opening. Don't block the opening just put it to the side. I try and feed twice a week and try both rats and mice. I don't go to live until they are a month old.

If you need to try live don't get a pinkie mouse get a hopper mouse. Also, when I need live I like rat pinkies as well as you can leave them in overnight without worry.

[Cyndymei]

I did the same thing as Dave Green suggested with my hatchling. I gave him a live hopper which he took immediately, his next meal he grabbed a frozen thawed off the tongs. I think hoppers really do the trick

Sent from my Galaxy S5

[JiBster816]

Yup a couple of mine took frozen thawed as their first meal. For me it depends on the snake. Watching my hatchling behavior gives me some judgment on how to approach the matter. Seems to work better on nippy and alert babies. I waved my hand in front of them slowly to get them going in striking mode. Then offer the food once they do.