BP first meal help

[serpentz]

I have two clutches of BP's that are about 1 month past their first shed and I have been unable to get them to feed. I started off by offering f/t rat pinks about one week after their first shed. I realize F/T is difficult to start with, but I gave it a shot because I was able to get my first clutch of the year to take f/t for their first meal. After trying f/t for 3 weeks, I offered live rat pinks, which I left in their cage over night. Still none of them have fed. What should I do? Should I be concerned?

[Evan Jamison]

I offer live mouse hoppers as a first meal to all my hatchlings. They seem to spark a better first feeding response, then I switch over to rats. With two entire clutches not taking rat pinks though, I would look to your husbandry. If thier housing conditions are good, most of them should feed within a week or two of shedding. How do you have them set up?


-Evan

[Sapphire7]

Are all the hatchlings in the same enclosure? If so seperate them now. Because as we all know about snakes, they will become easily stressed with another animal with them because they're competing for food and space, And they will feel quite vulnerable if they attack and constrict food while their "clutch mates" are behind him watching. I love using tanks because it beautifies my snakes and seems to make them seem happier. But for hatchlings you probably dont want to go through th expensies and buying 10+tanks. So you should go to walmart and by 15qt tubs(1 per each baby snake). I believe Rabernet here has been doing that and has had no problems. I am not a tub person but I hear this will help new born snakes begin their first feed faster than babies in tanks. Good luck!

[Adam_Wysocki]

Here's what I do ...

http://www.8ballpythons.com/journal/...ingseating.htm

-adam

[_BoidFinatic_]

Definately try mouse hoppers. They make "tempting" movements, which rat pinkies fail to make.

[serpentz]

Thanks for all the feedback. I believe my husbandry is fine. It certainly worked with my first clutch. Each BP hatchling has its own 6 qt container with balled up newspaper and a water dish. As I said, I tried f/t for the first three weeks and then offered live rat pinks. I have only offered live once, but I expected that some of them would take since its been about a month since their shed. None took, so I am starting to get concerned. Should mouse hoppers do the trick? Should I wait a week before I offer again? Any other tricks? When should assist feed be employed?

[Sapphire7]

Try braining the fuzzys you are giving you Ball pythons. An dmake sure they are 90degrees body temp, and turn off all lights and heat lamp (so the heat from the lamp doesnt distract them, good luck) Adam's site is very good for helping problem feeders eat.