Can anyone help me with the runt????

I just hatched 7 babys, 6 are healthy, and I did get one RUNT!
He is a really cool cinny, but he is less than half the size of his bro's & Sisters.

Any help would be appreciated as this is my 1st ever clutch!

Does anyone have any advise or tips on keeping him alive, and getting hime to eat? (what to eat??) They all hatched over the last 48 hrs. and as soon as they shed im seperating them grabbing live pinky's and hoping for the best when feeding day arrives.

Thanks in advance, here he is!
With siblings for comparison
[IMG]http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/IMG_1922.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/IMG_1918.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/IMG_1917.jpg[/IMG]

Holy HELL!!! remember what I said about tweaked animals.. LOL I'd try and get some food in him the day he shed's.. Be prepared he might not make it.. But if he does man that's going to be one cool looking snake.. ;)

WOW x2 !!!:O
If he lives and stays that color you should send him to me :gj: Awesome little snake! Goodluck :)

what was his weight?

pinkys wont move around enough to stimulate feeding responses. try hoppers for the normal size guys and maybe a small hopper or fuzzy for the bitty there. He has a nice looking belly (full of yoke) so he doesn't look to be in danger right now. Give him a try every 4/5 days with a live fuzzy and if he doesn't take by the third attempt i would probably assist feed him (I wouldn't let someone that small go toooo long without a meal.)

Good luck with him and his clutch mates, get some updated pics after they shed :)

What a beautiful little one you have there!! I hope he eats just fine for you and keeps that amazing color!!! You'd be surprised how fast the runts can catch up!

I don't have any advice but I just wanted to say good luck with him!

I had a 17g runt last yr my Ivory I had to assist feed him 6 times til he finally took his first meal on his own. Good luck with him I started mine on fuzzy mice OP take a look at my blog you can see pic's of him. He is now a year old and 550g.;)

Again good luck.

I wish I knew someone in my area (metro detroit) with more expierence because I have none!
and I tend to worry too much.

Does anyone have any good link. video, directions for assist feeding?

Thanks

I dont really have a scale to weigh him, I do have an old school triple beam packed away somewhere (Dont ask) Ill have to dig around in the basement to find it.

Maybe a reptile vet can show me and get some food in him if I cant?

You can find some good how-to's on you tube

Thats a weird looking baby!!

I lost a baby this year that was a runt...

Just make sure you keep a good watch on his weight. Get a cheap digital scale so you can track his process, and make sure he is gaining weight appropriately.

Ya know I was just talking to Josh at Marki Reptiles and he hatched out a runt baby....I think it was something crazy like 8 grams. He said that even before the shed he pushed a pinky as he knew it would die if he didn't. The snake ended up living and was a very cute lil dinker. If all else fails you can go to the Marki Reptiles site and email him. He is awesome and always up to help ppl out.

I got 3 hatchlings out of a clutch, 2 are runts. 45/47 grams. The big one was 69g.

One runt has caught up with her brother at around 95 grams. Never had to assist feed.

The other runt had to be force fed and is still under 50 grams.

So yeah, it's not a science with these runts in my opinion. So, you just have to go with what he's gonna do...

Very pretty runt, I have to say!

i wouldn't wait untill it sheds to try a meal. As soon as that yolk in his belly is gone try a small hopper. Some hatchlings will eat before they shed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zues

i wouldn't wait untill it sheds to try a meal. As soon as that yolk in his belly is gone try a small hopper. Some hatchlings will eat before they shed.

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I agree with this. One of my runts didn't shed until 3 weeks past hatching...

Well he is only a couple days out of the egg.
When should I attempt to feed him?

And (god forbid) when should I "assist"
Him with feeding?

Thanks

If the snake absorbed its yoke you are in no danger of it dying right now. They can live up to four months of the yoke alone. Yes he needs to eat before four months but give him some time to eat on his own. There have been lots of small babies that make it, even as small as 25g. It will do fine and eventually catch up. If it doesnt eat within a couple of months try force feeding. I would wait till he is showing signs of being skinny/dehydration before force feeding. Try fuzzy mice to start with this guy and if he takes it move up to hoppers. I sometimes wait two weeks after the 10day shed to even offer food to hatchlings. This lets the snake gert hungry and I rarely have hatchling balls not eat. Dont worry yet.

Matt

Update.....Its a sad day.

My Little Runt didnt make it, happened some time yesterday :(

the rest of his clutchmates seem to be doing well, and and are blue right now.
Ill post some better pics after they shed. I will always wonder about that little guy, as he was the 1st hatchling outta the egg that i ever hatched.

he was so small, I would guess 25% the size of the others, Sure wish I could have saved him.:tears:

Sorry :(

I'm really sorry to hear that.....I was pulling for the little guy:(