feeding question

[Otter_23]

I have 3 IJ's that shed but only one will eat. I tried to assist feed the two (it has been 2 weeks since they shed) and they keep tossing the small mouse fuzzy out. I had already tried leaving a live pinky mouse, live small fuzzy mouse with them with days in between trying and they just aren't interested. Next time should I try a pinkie mouse with assist feeding? Any hints tips etc... would be appreciated. I have in the past assist fed some corns and a ball python and they started eating afterwards but were not that difficult to assist feed. These two are getting frustrating.

[Colin Vestrand]

are these hatchlings?

i've had luck with kinda tapping them an inch or two behind the head to get them to strike, then immediately letting go and hoping they coil. i would just use your best judgement on assist feeding, but they can go at least a few months if they came out of the egg healthy from everything i've been told (this was my first year breeding carpets).

[Otter_23]

Thanks Colin they were born June 5th so they are about a month and half. I tried the tapping thing but the 2 will not bite anything for anything, they just attempt to escape from the annoyance. I have them in shoe boxes so I think my next plan is to put them in a deli cup with a live pinkie overnight, maybe they had to much room to run when with a live before.

[Schlyne]

From what I understand, mouse pinkies are just too small for carpet python hatchlings. Even with my adult carpets they will not take food if it's too small. (They'll strike, coil and then look at me like "what is this? I wanted a meal, not a snack").

I would actually suggest getting going with a mouse hopper and seeing if you get more interest.

Anthony caponetto writes that he actually starts his carpet pythons on rat pinks.

[bhmorrill]

My very first bit of advice is PATIENCE!!! I KNOW how stressful problem feeders can be, but they really are just fine for quite some time without eating...so just be patient and try to not stress them out.

And I would also suggest not force feeding until they have lost significant weight. It is fairly common for one or two from a clutch to not eat for a month or two after hatching...no worries. I just had two eat for the first time since they hatched back in April...no worries. And from my past experience, even if they were hard to start, once they get going they are usually never a problem again. Since you have attempted assist feeding already, I would personally leave those that you tried with alone for at least a week to 2 weeks before offering anything again to get the stress levels down.

Yeah, either try pink rats or mouse fuzzies/small hoppers. I think overall the food item that I have the most luck getting carpets to take is a mouse fuzzy or small hopper. Although they will take rat pinks, they almost never take mouse pinks, so I wouldn't waste my time with mouse pinks. And even though the mouse fuzzies/small hoppers or rat pinks might seem large...don't worry about it. They can handle them just fine.

Good luck, and keep us posted!!!

[shea]

Give them some time. Rarely do I offer baby IJs rodents before 4 weeks. I'll usually wait til week 6 to offer up food. Try a f/t pink rat first(warm, at night) - and the only reason I say that is IJs can be difficult to get over to rats once they've taken mice. Then if they don't take, try live pink rat a few weeks later. Once I get about 8 to 10 weeks out, then I'll go with live mice hoppers. They seem to always take a live hopper mouse on the first or second attempt. Feed at night. They like big meals. Take your time, they're not going to starve. Of what I've kept track of, I've had a hatchling IJ wait it out 16 weeks for a first meal....and I've got a few others that have probably gone longer, just happens.

Shea Peterson
www.petersonreptiles.com

[Otter_23]

Thank you very much for the advice. I have left them alone and won't try anything again until this weekend. I don't have access to live rat pinks but I'll try the f/t. Do you provide hides for the hatchlings?

[shea]

Thank you very much for the advice. I have left them alone and won't try anything again until this weekend. I don't have access to live rat pinks but I'll try the f/t. Do you provide hides for the hatchlings?

Anything that makes them feel secure helps. Definitely have a hide for a young carpet python - something small and tight. Perches are good too, they'll be all over them all night long and they'll readily grab food from a perch above their prey - hides and perches make them feel secure and allow their natural instincts & behaviors kick in.

Hope this helps.

Shea Peterson

[bhmorrill]

Yes, both hides and perches are good for babies. Although, I would say in my experience the perches are probably more important than the hides.

[Colin Vestrand]

i had good luck tonite with braining... i got 3 to eat that hadn't eaten yet this way. maybe it was coincidence, but i thought i'd share.