Weight/Age to start thinking about force feeding

[mbaker8686]

So I help out a local pet store when they need it with their herps. They got two hatchlings a few weeks ago that I believe had not had any meals yet. I got the first one to eat 3 times and it sold. The second one was around 55-60 grams when they got it, he is down to 47 grams now. He hasn't eaten anything since they have had him which has been over a month. Time to force feed?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

It's a little more complex than age or weight it is a combination of things.

Anyway I posted this a few days ago

PATIENCE

Not sure what you want to feed but this is what I do.

Offer rat first feeding some will take it some not.

Offer rat second and third feeding.

Offer mice to those that have refused rats previously.

Offer mice again to those that have refused the previous week

Offer mice in brown paper bag

Important things are to make sure the temps are not too hot, 6 quarts tubs do not allow much room to thermo regulate and I would consider providing temps of 88 on the warm side (not much hotter than that)

Have aspen bedding this allows them to burrow which means it allows them to feel more secure

Do not offer more than every 7 days.

Add crumble newspaper in the tubs of those that are hard to start.

Monitor their general look make sure they are well hydrated.

Note: I generally do not consider assisting before weeks 6 or 8 in most cases (that's an average).

It is base on overall look, health, weight, whether or not the animal absorbed it's yolk (in the case it did not it would be VERY different) etc.

Assist feeding and force feeding are a last resort when everything else has been tried and failed.