Hatchling Questions

So I recently bought my first hatchling, I've taken care of adults in the past but it seems like adults are very different. I've had my hatchling for a week and he has refused food once. My worry is 2 things, he looks a little thin and more triangle than he should be, and he was originally eating live when I offered frozen/thawed. So I'm wondering if I should keep trying frozen/thawed or just get him a live small adult mouse like he was eating for the breeder. I also just got a scale so I haven't had a chance to weigh him and check if he's losing weight.

Always offer the same type of prey the animal was eating at its previous home before trying something new. If it was eating live small mice at the breeder’s then it should start on those at your place.


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Originally Posted by Neko_snake

So I recently bought my first hatchling, I've taken care of adults in the past but it seems like adults are very different. I've had my hatchling for a week and he has refused food once. My worry is 2 things, he looks a little thin and more triangle than he should be, and he was originally eating live when I offered frozen/thawed. So I'm wondering if I should keep trying frozen/thawed or just get him a live small adult mouse like he was eating for the breeder. I also just got a scale so I haven't had a chance to weigh him and check if he's losing weight.

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I'd keep trying frozen thawed, what temp are you getting them too before you offer it? Also if it's eating adult mice I wouldn't call it a hatchling anymore, it's more than likely a juvenile at this point. I've found males to be more difficult when it comes to feeding unfortunately but rest assured that if your snake is actually hungry they will not reject food frozen thawed or live, they will eat.

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No handling the snake until it's settled in & feeding reliably (at least 3+ times for a hatchling- more is better, safer). Weighing a snake IS "handling"...don't do it! The time to weigh was right when you got him home & had to handle anyway. After that, not until he's settled in & feeding, or you can put him off eating at all. Eating is "job #1". Do NOT handle.

Many new snakes (of any age) won't eat right away, in the first week or more. They need time, & LOTS of privacy.

Feed EXACTLY what the snake was eating before you got them- make no changes until they're feeding reliably. If live, then feed live. If mouse, feed mouse. If rat, feed rat, as rodents all smell & (presumably) taste different.

Hatchlings are still learning & need to focus on just being a snake- feeling safe & secure, & learning to deal with prey- NOT with humans. So try to stay out of their way- keep their enclosure in a quiet place, block their "view" if needed. Avoid making adjustments to their home unless essential- the time to do that was before the snake arrived. Make sure the hides are the right size so the snake feels hidden.

If food is refused, don't keep offering right away- that adds to their stress & almost guarantees a failure. For a thin hatchling, wait 4-5 days before a retry; otherwise, wait a week or more before you try to feed again. Feed only at night, in dim light. Try not to be noticeable.

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Originally Posted by cuddlykhajiit

I'd keep trying frozen thawed, what temp are you getting them too before you offer it? Also if it's eating adult mice I wouldn't call it a hatchling anymore, it's more than likely a juvenile at this point. I've found males to be more difficult when it comes to feeding unfortunately but rest assured that if your snake is actually hungry they will not reject food frozen thawed or live, they will eat.

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The OP did say it's a hatchling. By "small live adult" they probably (& hopefully) meant a "hopper" mouse, and that is what hatchling BPs are normally fed, unless they're unusually small.

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Originally Posted by Neko_snake

My worry is 2 things, he looks a little thin and more triangle than he should be, and he was originally eating live when I offered frozen/thawed. So I'm wondering if I should keep trying frozen/thawed or just get him a live small adult mouse like he was eating for the breeder. I also just got a scale so I haven't had a chance to weigh him and check if he's losing weight.

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Leave him alone for another week then try to offer him a live mouse hopper. Get him eating consistently then try to switch him to frozen thawed :gj:

Also always make sure your husbandry is perfect!

That is what I meant. He was eating hoppers for the breeder. I'm heating the mouse up to somewhere are 90-100 then trying to feed. I know he's nocturnal so of course night feeding only. I haven't weighed him because I was waiting for a scale, and I still haven't weighed him since I don't want stress him out.

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Originally Posted by Neko_snake

That is what I meant. He was eating hoppers for the breeder. I'm heating the mouse up to somewhere are 90-100 then trying to feed. I know he's nocturnal so of course night feeding only. I haven't weighed him because I was waiting for a scale, and I still haven't weighed him since I don't want stress him out.

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Sounds like you're doing good. How is husbandry?

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My hot spot is around 88-92 with my thermostat. My cool is around 78. My humidity is staying around 65%

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Originally Posted by Neko_snake

My hot spot is around 88-92 with my thermostat. My cool is around 78. My humidity is staying around 65%

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Not bad, is this a new snake? And if so did you give it the first week to settle in?

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He is a new snake. He's my only snake currently. He's had a week or so to settle in. I tried feeding him once and he didn't take it so I'm wondering what I should do for next week. The next feeding.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101

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Originally Posted by Neko_snake

He is a new snake. He's my only snake currently. He's had a week or so to settle in. I tried feeding him once and he didn't take it so I'm wondering what I should do for next week. The next feeding.

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Yeah so when I got my first it was a girl and they always say if they don't eat let them be alone for another week and try again.

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So basically just wait another week. That's fine just wondering if I should keep up with the frozen/thawed or go with live like he was eating for the breeder

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Originally Posted by Neko_snake

So basically just wait another week. That's fine just wondering if I should keep up with the frozen/thawed or go with live like he was eating for the breeder

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Already answered: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...=1#post2761494

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Already answered: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...=1#post2761494

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Conflicting answers. One person says keep trying with frozen/thawed and another says go to live since that's what he started with.

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Originally Posted by Neko_snake

So basically just wait another week. That's fine just wondering if I should keep up with the frozen/thawed or go with live like he was eating for the breeder

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While its great to keep feeding what the breeder was feeding there are complications with it in the future and I'd encourage transferring as soon as possible. Though I do agree with getting a healthy eating habit down first. I guess it varies from snake to snake as my experience has always been no problems with switching. I understand live feeding a defenseless mouse but once they can fight back I'd make as much of an effort to avoid them. My male is super picky though and goes off eating for months during breeding season.

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Job #1 is getting the animal feeding. This is best accomplished by minimizing the number variables changed since leaving the breeder’s facility (ie: providing similar or identical enclosure, NOT changing the type of feeder offered, etc). Yes, f/t is generally preferable for the safety of the snake... after it has been reliably feeding and established in its new home on what the breeder was offering. Give it a live hopper and leave it alone. Refer to the sticky thread posted here for other inquiries.


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Originally Posted by Neko_snake

Conflicting answers. One person says keep trying with frozen/thawed and another says go to live since that's what he started with.

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No conflicting answers, 3 people have told you to feed what the breeder was feeding before switching to frozen thawed