When to worry

[jesst]

Every one of the hatchlings that hatched on 4/16 have eaten either their 2nd or 3rd meal today except one. I have left mouse fuzzies in with the hatching overnight and she just doesn't seem to want to eat. She is very active just not interested. When should I begin to worry?

[rlditmars]

I have had a few that just wouldn't start on their own. Before you panic try switching things up a bit. I will go one try a week with the first two weeks being rat pinks, the next two weeks, trying mouse hoppers, and the last two weeks what ever you think may get them started. After the 6th week if they haven't eaten I will go to assist feeding. When I do that I use mouse hoppers soaked in warm water because they are small and the hair makes them slicker than the skin of a rat pink. Good luck.

[MS2]

I can usually get a stubborn feeder to eat with a F/T rat pinkie. It may take a few tries, but keep at it. Eventually they will eat. I have never had to assist feed. It may take some time, but they will eat.

[Galaxygirl]

Here's my post on this from a couple months ago: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...Hatchling-Help

We had problem eaters and had a lot of solutions from members here. What did it for us after four weeks or so of refusing their first meal was live mouse hoppers. We wanted to get them started on F/T rat pinkies but the anxiety of them not eating after four weeks eventually pushed us to just give them live hoppers.

[jesst]

I am happy to say that my little hatchling finally ate. I did have to assist feed her but once in her mouth she didn't resist. She is only 45g and by far the smallest hatchling. all of her siblings are over 60g. hopefully she will eat on her own next feeding.