Neonate Feeding

How soon after sheding do most neonates consume their first meal? How long should one wait before force feeding is necessary? Any hints on successful feeding?

Thanks,

Matt

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Originally Posted by serpentz

How soon after sheding do most neonates consume their first meal? How long should one wait before force feeding is necessary? Any hints on successful feeding?

Thanks,

Matt

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You should attempt a first meal 1 week after their first shed. Check out this link for tricks on feeding stubborn hatchlings. Good luck!

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

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Originally Posted by serpentz

How long should one wait before force feeding is necessary?

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I've been producing ball pythons for almost 10 years now and I've never had to force feed an otherwise healthy hatchling ... if your husbandry is correct and you're patient, it shouldn't ever be necessary.

-adam

Adamknows best, as he has been doing it for a liitle while. My experience so far this year, has been that I try to feed the hatchlings the day after they shed. As of now, none of them will take a meal right after sheeding, however, they will take a meal with a little prodding after about a week post shed. By prodding, I mean dancing a rat pink around on a tong, not assist feeding. All of my babies that have taken a meal so far have done so about a week after shedding. A couple have not wanted a rat, but have taken a hopper mouse.

I agree with what everyone has said, sometimes a slightly smaller meal of a mouse crawler works also. It seems they don't intimidate them as much either.