One Has Not Eaten

[Jay_Bunny]

One of my 8 hatchlings still has not had a meal. All of the other corn babies have had at least 1 meal, most have had 2. I've tried leaving the live pink in with the corn, in the dark. I've tried dangling it. Nothing. Completely uninterested in the pink. Any ideas on how to get her to eat?

[Blue Apple Herps]

Leave her be for a week. Don't look at her, don't handle her, only mess with her if you need to change water because its soiled or some other pressing issue. Other than that, just leave her be for an entire week.

After a week, get a can of tuna. Drain out the broth or "tuna juice" as I call it into a bowl or small cup or some other container. Thaw a pinkie so its nice and warm and then dip the head of the pinky into the tuna juice. Put the pinkie in a deli cup and the snake in there with the tuna juice laced pinky and put her in a dark closet or some other place where she won't be disturbed. Leave her there overnight. Even if you're tempted, don't check on her until the next morning.

I've had great success getting non-feeders to eat doing this method. Some people have tried this using chicken broth or stock with some success too. I've had best success using the tuna juice.

[Jay_Bunny]

Thank you very much! I will leave her alone for a week and then try this. You have been such a big help with all my questions. I'll have to post new pics soon. One of the babies hatched out at 8g and is already 10g at empty. 2 whole grams! I have a feeling she's going to be a fat little piggy. All of the other babies have gained 1g.

[j_h_smith]

I have used chicken broth myself and have gotten good results.

Either way, good luck!
Jim Smith