Help feeding, never fed hatchling!

[dr del]

Hi,

Do you mean the temp is 85 on top of the substrate at the warm end?

If so I would probably suggest thinning the substrate slightly to get it closer to 92-94f inside the hot end hide.


dr del

[Blender345]

is reptile carpet a better substrate?

[dr del]

Hi,

To be perfectly honest I am not a fan of reptile carpet.

I use newspaper myself but your current substrate would be fine ( absorbant, easy to spot clean, unlikely to cause feeding issues etc. ) if you just made the layer thinner.

The 95f under the substrate ensures the snake can't dig down and be exposed to dangerously high temps and thinning the layer should bring the temps on top of the substrate closer to the ideal temps inside the warm end hide.


dr del

[Blender345]

Thanks Dr. Del. I have a few more questions. I am going to feed him tomorrow sometime. What time is best? Nighttime since they are nocturnal? It'd be easier mid to late afternoon so I can keep track but I want whats best for him. Also, what size? Is a pinky ok? Or fuzzy? One more thing I can think to ask is F/T or live? I am not sure if I can get a live pinky or fuzzy but I will try my hardest if that is what's best for him. I am very nervous knowing he has never eaten before and won't name him until he does. Any other tips are appreciated. Thanks for your time.

[dr del]

Hi,

Well everyone already covered the size of mouse ( hopper ) and Robin gave you advice regarding the F/T or live issue.

If you want to stick with F/t just make sure to pre-scent for an hour or so and heat it up just before offering - I like to use a hairdrier on the head for a good 30-40 seconds.

Evening/ night time would be the time I would pick to try.

If you do go for live remember to plan for a refusal too - a small critter keeper with a waterbottle, some food and bedding is a great thing to keep on standby.

Never leave a live rodent unsupervised with your snake though (unless its a pink or fuzzy unable to do any damage ). But if you use F/T you can leave it in the enclosure overnight if the lil guy won't strike feed despite the zombie mouse dance.


dr del

[Blender345]

update: just put a f/t hopper in the tank on a paper towel. I tried dangling it over infront of the hide but no go. i hope he takes f/t cuz idk if the petstores sell live hoppers n whatnot. ughh this is it, the time ive been waiting for. ill have to wait until morning to find out if he eats it.

[Blender345]

Well I woke up this morning and he did not eat it. Now what? Should I try to get a live hopper somehow? I hope petco will have one.

[dr del]

Hi,

Well the first thing is to wait a week before doing anything else.

If you offer too often you can actually cause them stress which might make them less inclined to eat.


dr del

[Blender345]

Do you think it is alright if I take him out and handle him at all? I have yet to see him out of his warm hide at all. He pokes his head halfway out at night sometimes, like last night. But when I put the mouse in he went back in. Is this normal for him? Is it alright to pick up his hide to get him out? I would kind of rather not so he can feel that his hide is a very safe place but if it is alright I will do it. I feel if I pick him up and show him the mouse then he might take it but I really don't know.

[llovelace]

No handling until he he on feed, leave him be and try a live hopper mouse the next feeding.