Baby won't eat.

First, let me start out by saying, I'm not new to snakes. I've read the forums on not eating. I've even responded on a few on another forum I'm on. I've waited a week before offering food. I don't hold him much unless its to check his belly from the yolk sack being open. Hot side is 85 cool around 78. Humidity is around 60. He is in a tub.

Now, I got him on May 19. Today was the third feed attempt. We've tried about every 5-7 days. Minimal holding. His belly was still open from the yolk sack, was told he ate, but I don't think he has yet. First, I tried a pinky bc of the open area didn't want to stretch it open further. That has since almost closed up. Tried a rat pup last time didn't eat. Left it in there for 2-3 hours nothing. Tonight I tried a fuzzy. I even brained it. He doesn't even act interested. Is there anything you would suggest to get him to eat?? I'm awfully worried at this point because he is a baby.

Another thing, his tub is opaque so I can see in there. He is in our bedroom so not a lot of traffic. However, usually (like my 6 other snakes) will use thier tongue flicks. I have NOT seen him do this. Ever. I don't want to pry his mouth open to look but I'm worried.

We were recommended this breeder by a friend. They said he was great. Sorry for the long post but I wanted to give all the info I could. This is my first baby baby snake as I have never bred and bought mine at least 12 weeks old. Thanks for reading.

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What size tub is he in? Does he have any hides? And the hot side should be closer to 90. How much does he weigh?

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He does have 2 hides. I'll turn the heat up on the enclosure. I read babies like slightly cooler temps that's why it was lower. I don't have a digital scale. It's been ordered but I never thought I needed one bc I don't plan to breed now. So I honestly have no clue. He is tiny though. No more than an inch thick at biggest part.

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The best luck I've had is feed live the first time....I even had to do that with my retic, and they have great feeding responses.


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Originally Posted by pigfat

The best luck I've had is feed live the first time....I even had to do that with my retic, and they have great feeding responses

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Definitely! Get them established eating first. :gj:

I would feed it live prey. That's worked for me every time I ran into a stubborn eater. It may not eat the first attempt either, it may take a few tries.

All of these were live prey.

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What kind of substrate do you have him on? If you have him on newspaper or paper towels, I would try one of the more natural substrates.

And what did the breeder tell you he fed him?

What time of day/night have you been trying to feed? If you've been trying during the day or early evening, try feeding later...

You can also try putting the snake and a pup in a brown paper bag, inside the tub, and leaving them overnight. I've never had any luck doing this but some have. A similiar trick is to wad up a bunch of newspaper and put it in the tub. Again, I've never had any luck with this trick but it is supposed to make them feel more secure and sometimes helps stubborn one's to start eating...

There are several things you can try before resorting to assist feeding...Sometimes babies can be a pain to get started...

I'll try that brown bag. I do have him on newspaper but I will get natural substrate tommorrow. I have tried evening and daytime.

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Originally Posted by tjohnson722

I'll try that brown bag. I do have him on newspaper but I will get natural substrate tommorrow. I have tried evening and daytime.

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I would switch him to aspen and try again with a hopper mouse...

You don't mention the tub size...Anything over a 6qt could be a contributing factor...

A live hopper mouse will get the best results...

I have been keeping Balls for over 10 years and never brained a prey item to get one to eat...

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Originally Posted by coldbloodaddict

I have been keeping Balls for over 10 years and never brained a prey item to get one to eat...

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I've tried...didn't do squat...

It didn't do anything. The tub size is a I think a 10 quart.

I opened his mouth yesterday, everythings there except I still haven't seen a tongue???????

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I've never brained or done any of the chicken broth or tuna juice (ya weird) tricks with anyone. I've had a couple stubborn babies too. If the umbilicus spot was open I highly doubt he had even his first meal but... Well. In my experience that usually closes up the first week of a little ones life. Then comes the shed then they eat (hopefully).
Secondly, all of this trying to get him to eat is stressing him further. Further pushing him to not eat. Leave him alone for a good 4 days. I would highly suggest using a black out tub. This is a tub that receives no light whatsoever I have a few spray painted black tubs on hand at all times for nervous nellys. And I've had a couple. This works pretty darn well IMHO. When you try and feed use a live hopper mouse. At this point we need to get him eating. Up your humidity because this will keep him well hydrated and take a DEEP breath. We don't want to over due it and have the little one just go nutty. He sounds young and IMO shouldn't have been sold but hey what do I know? I know you're not new to the snake world but picky babies or fresh hatched should stay for a bit longer or go to those with experience with exactly that. Primary I only have two people that I would ever consider selling a picky baby or a fresh hatchling to. Both of them have way more experience than I do.
But that's neither here nor there. Check temps, up humidity, and black that bin out. Leave him alone for 4 days and try with a hopper mouse at night.
Hopefully this works for ya.


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Ok. I will do that.

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Originally Posted by Homegrownscales

Leave him alone for 4 days and try with a hopper mouse at night.
Hopefully this works for ya.

Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

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I have a pretty identical problem & I was searching the forums for similar questions and thought I'd ask in this thread. You said to leave him alone for 4 days after the last feeding, then try a live hopper?

My lil' guy was purchased on the 26th of May. I was "told" he ate on the 23rd. He shed on the 29th in one piece. I attempted feeding a f/t hopper on the 30th and again yesterday. I've tried the "zombie dance", "hair dryer", feeding in the enclosure, without any luck.

So, I should wait 4 days before offering live? If he refuses what's the next step? Assist feed? It seems like a lot of time to wait between feeding. Thanks!

So, I just tried again, no luck. Should I consider force feed?

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Originally Posted by tjohnson722

So, I just tried again, no luck. Should I consider force feed?

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i'm no expert by any means, however, i was in a similar situation not even a week ago. i won't say "hey, do what i did" but i will tell you what happened for me.

i watched many, MANY videos on assist feeding, just to make sure i knew exactly what to do and how to not hurt my baby.

the process i used was holding sam firmly behind the head, using my thumb and index finger, and the rest of my hand supporting his weight. he is a bit long, so i also rested him partway on the floor of his tank.

he DID NOT like it at first. alot of thrashing around, trying to squirm out of it. eventually he settled down, and once he stopped moving all over the place, i took the thawed mouse behind HIS head, and used his nose to gentle push up/wiggle in to sams mouth.

now maybe i got lucky, but the moment his mouth opened, and i put the mouse just inside, he clamped down on it and began swallowing right then. i gently set him back down, closed his tank, threw a towel over the front, and left him alone. no regurgitation, and he pooped a few days later.

remember, if you decide to assist feed, just watch some videos on it first, it's really not that hard, but its so much easier to learn from watching someone experienced do it.

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Originally Posted by Shanna

I have a pretty identical problem & I was searching the forums for similar questions and thought I'd ask in this thread. You said to leave him alone for 4 days after the last feeding, then try a live hopper?

My lil' guy was purchased on the 26th of May. I was "told" he ate on the 23rd. He shed on the 29th in one piece. I attempted feeding a f/t hopper on the 30th and again yesterday. I've tried the "zombie dance", "hair dryer", feeding in the enclosure, without any luck.

So, I should wait 4 days before offering live? If he refuses what's the next step? Assist feed? It seems like a lot of time to wait between feeding. Thanks!

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Yes, give him 4 days alone and then offer a live hopper in the evening.

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Originally Posted by tjohnson722

So, I just tried again, no luck. Should I consider force feed?

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Force feeding is extremely stressful, and fairly dangerous. You should always try assisting before resorting to forcing (assisting was described in the post above this). However, I would give your baby one more try before going to assisting, as long as he hasn't lost much weight. Have you gotten a scale since it was mentioned at the beginning of the thread? This is an important tool for monitoring your pet's health, regardless of whether you intend to breed. Also, make sure you have switched to aspen bedding and that his hides are very snug. You can also crumple up some newspaper in the tub to make it as cramped (secure) as possible.