What to do with stubborn feeders?

[rlditmars]

I have had to assist feed a few animals from a couple of different clutches. It is very challenging but be patient. Even once you have the prey item in its mouth, hold the animal as still as you can for as long as you can and wait them out. Slowly, and I mean very slowly, release some of your grip but not enough for them to throw the item, just enough for them to feel less pressure. Then wait some more. I have sat with a baby on the floor on a newspaper for 20 minutes before it finally started moving it's mouth in an eating motion. Once they do that just slowly release them all the way and see what happens. If the do throw it then do it again. Also, don't think because you assist feed them once they will start eating for you. I have had to assist some snakes upwards of eight to ten times before the finally started eating on their own. BTW, I used mouse hoppers dunked in warm water. That way there is a scent and yet they were pretty slick. Like others said, the smaller the item, the easier it is to get it a little farther in and more difficult for them to throw. I wish you the best of luck and don't give up.

[Ball Clan]

Two of them ate for me last night on their own. I still have the little fire bee that is being stubborn. Will probably try an assist feed tonight. Wish me luck.

[dek593]

First of all, you should be patient. Don`t even expect your stubborn feeder should eat every week as a regular scheduled basis. This is what I`ve learned from my stubborn feeder female champagne. I feed her weaned white rat every three week at night without light. Now, I know the timing when she wants me to feed her and 100% she eats the pre-killed rat. You need to learn the timing and what kind of prey your snake likes to eat. You must understand your snake`s nature.

[Ball Clan]

First of all, you should be patient. Don`t even expect your stubborn feeder should eat every week as a regular scheduled basis. This is what I`ve learned from my stubborn feeder female champagne. I feed her weaned white rat every three week at night without light. Now, I know the timing when she wants me to feed her and 100% she eats the pre-killed rat. You need to learn the timing and what kind of prey your snake likes to eat. You must understand your snake`s nature.

These three snakes hatched between July 27 and 31 and had yet to take her first meal. That's why I was concerned. I learned the art of patience with these little guys a couple of years ago, but there does come a point where you need to start wondering if it is healthy to go 7 weeks without ever having eaten anything at all.

Now, as of this morning, all three of them have eaten one baby mouse on their own. Assist feeding thankfully has not been necessary yet. Hopefully they will start to get an appetite now. I had 2 babies from back in June go 46 days before their first meal, but once they started, they are now eating machines. So with any luck the trend will continue. They still look kind of puny, but this looks promising.

On that note, maybe it would be interesting to ask everyone what was the longest they've had a hatchling go before its first meal? This latest one has been my longest. July 27 to September 14 is 49 days. Has anyone ever had a hatchling go more than 49 days before eating for the first time?

[200xth]

I had 2 babies from back in June go 46 days before their first meal, but once they started, they are now eating machines.

I had the same. One of the babies born on July 23 refused to eat for weeks. Sept 7th came. 46 days. He had lost about 10% of his weight along the way (born at 61 down to 55), and he looked haggard. I decided I would try one last normal feeding then do an assist feeding the following week.

Sept 7th evening I put a mouse hopper in his enclosure and he took it. I was very surprised (but happy). He then followed up with a mouse on Wed 10th and Sat 13th.

Now that he's finally done it, he seems to like eating so I'm hoping it continues.

[Ball Clan]

Now we're getting the hang of it. This is the second fuzzy mouse in as many days, and she actually took one more after this one.
A couple more feedings like this and we can start to up the prey sze just a little and get this one eating like normal. It's been a long wait with this one but I think we're getting it now.