My First Death

So a pinstripe from my 3rd clutch from early August died. She never really ate. I think she ate just once. I tried assist feeding but it just didn't work. Kinda sad. What worries me is I have one more from back then, a normal that hasn't eaten yet at all. So that one may pass soon too. I read that it's just part of being a breeder. I guess I just don't like this part. It's one thing for them to die in the egg but living a couple months and then dying is harsh.

Sorry to hear that. Hope the normal pulls through for you and starts to eat.

Very sorry to hear it. I'm sure it's true that some little ones just don't make it, but that doesn't make it any easier to bear after caring for them as you obviously do.

Sorry to hear that man, and good luck with the normal.

Sorry to hear that, good luck with the normal. :tears:

Sorry for your loss Chris.

If it really means that much to you, try assist feeding. The BEL refused to eat while all his clutch mates were eating. I assist fed him the 3rd and 4th week after he hatched and he took them down after a fight. I went to assist feed him a 3rd time and I could just not get it stuck enough to where he had no choice but to swallow it so I left him be. His last meal has been over a month, but yesterday when I threw in a hopper, he went for it in seconds. So I'm glad I didn't give up. To me, no life is worthless, so I will help as much as I can for any snake.

Not knocking the OP because this scenario is getting fairly common place with the influx of newer breeders.
If you want to breed and you are successful there will come a time when knowing how to do it correctly will save lives.
Done correctly the snake has no option but to swallow the prey, it's all about technique.
We've saved numerous snakes that are thriving now including the BEL female last season that needed 7 assist feeds before she figured it out.

Sorry about your loss, it's heartbreaking to lose them so quick after all of the work involved in producing them :(

How do you learn how to do it correctly? I hope I never have to do it, but if I do, I want to be able to do it right.

To the OP I'm sorry for your loss.

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Originally Posted by 3skulls

How do you learn how to do it correctly? I hope I never have to do it, but if I do, I want to be able to do it right.

To the OP I'm sorry for your loss.

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One way I have "assist" fed balls who refuse to take food is to curl your finger and thumb around their neck behind the head, and hold the pinky in their mouth with your other hand so the pinky's head is at the back of their throat. Then it is a waiting game, the only way the snake can move anywhere is to swallow the pinky and move forward. This can take time though, so do it near the TV and have the snake in your lap. Longest I have had to wait for the snake to swallow the meal was 25min. Expect them to put up a fight.

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Originally Posted by 3skulls

How do you learn how to do it correctly? I hope I never have to do it, but if I do, I want to be able to do it right.

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If you breed you will want to learn, it happens each year to one or two or more.
It's bound to happen when you make 50 to 80 babies or more, producing a clutch or two a year you may never have to.

We tuck the WET rat pink as far back as possible into the throat and then gently hold the snakes jaws closed on the pinky.
When the snake starts to wrap our fingers we place it into the tub and allow it to wrap the pinky and swallow.
About 80% or more will take it the first time and the other 20% will usually take it the 2nd attempt.
We won't try to assist feed too often, I like to try to let the snake eat on it's own 3-4 days after the first assist feed.
If it doesn't then the next day we'll assist again.
Most of them will eat after the first assist but occasionally there is the snake that will take multiple assist feedings before taking off on their own.

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Originally Posted by snakesRkewl

If you breed you will want to learn, it happens each year to one or two or more.
It's bound to happen when you make 50 to 80 babies or more, producing a clutch or two a year you may never have to.

We tuck the WET rat pink as far back as possible into the throat and then gently hold the snakes jaws closed on the pinky.
When the snake starts to wrap our fingers we place it into the tub and allow it to wrap the pinky and swallow.
About 80% or more will take it the first time and the other 20% will usually take it the 2nd attempt.
We won't try to assist feed too often, I like to try to let the snake eat on it's own 3-4 days after the first assist feed.
If it doesn't then the next day we'll assist again.
Most of them will eat after the first assist but occasionally there is the snake that will take multiple assist feedings before taking off on their own.

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Yeah, I didn't mention it in my post, but the pinky should be wet; good point to bring up!

Sorry for your loss! I have had to assist feed several times over the years. I just cant let them go without trying everything. Good luck with you normal!

Here is a pretty good video of assist feeding from BHB:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=o_FQOgyFrn4

Chris, sorry for your loss.

Good info
Thanks!

I feel for ya. Sorry for your loss. I just lost one on wed. She was a problem feeder as well, had to assist a couple times, then she took a few down on her own, I put a f/t hopper in her hide on tuesday, woke up went to school, got home and checked on her and she had it half way down and was dead:(. I guess she choked on it, I dont know, never seen anything like it. I had 4 problem feeders out of 31 this year, the others are now doing fine and eating on their own. It just sucks.

Sorry for your loss. Things do happen, it sucks but either deal with it, or learn to assist feed. I have had to assist feed many snakes to get them going. As states before it takes patience to sometimes get them going.

I agree with a lot of the things the others are saying. I believe if you're going to be breeding, you HAVE to learn how to assist feed. I'm sure it's stressful for the baby....but I'm pretty sure they and I would be waaayy more stressed having little ones who aren't eating and are just withering away. I'm so sorry about the one that passed. If the normal is absolutely refusing to eat anything, and is looking like it's going down the same road as the other, you need to get some food in there. Maybe someone on here is near you and can help you with the assist feeding?
Last year I had a pastel that would NOT eat on her own at all. I thought I would be assist feeding her for life! Haha. After NINE times, she finally started eating rats on her own. She's now a rat devouring beast! This year, I had a few babies who needed a little help getting started....of course a picky pastel again. It took her three times to start on her own. The others who needed extra help this year only took the one time to get started on their own.
Good luck! It's not fun, but I feel is very important.