My First Death

[MasonC2K]

So a pinstripe from my 3rd clutch from early August died. She never really ate. I think she ate just once. I tried assist feeding but it just didn't work. Kinda sad. What worries me is I have one more from back then, a normal that hasn't eaten yet at all. So that one may pass soon too. I read that it's just part of being a breeder. I guess I just don't like this part. It's one thing for them to die in the egg but living a couple months and then dying is harsh.

[Wes]

Sorry to hear that. Hope the normal pulls through for you and starts to eat.

[Fidget]

Very sorry to hear it. I'm sure it's true that some little ones just don't make it, but that doesn't make it any easier to bear after caring for them as you obviously do.

[gsarchie]

Sorry to hear that man, and good luck with the normal.

[rlditmars]

Sorry for your loss Chris.

[Kinra]

Sorry to hear that, good luck with the normal.

[TheSnakeEye]

If it really means that much to you, try assist feeding. The BEL refused to eat while all his clutch mates were eating. I assist fed him the 3rd and 4th week after he hatched and he took them down after a fight. I went to assist feed him a 3rd time and I could just not get it stuck enough to where he had no choice but to swallow it so I left him be. His last meal has been over a month, but yesterday when I threw in a hopper, he went for it in seconds. So I'm glad I didn't give up. To me, no life is worthless, so I will help as much as I can for any snake.

[snakesRkewl]

Not knocking the OP because this scenario is getting fairly common place with the influx of newer breeders.
If you want to breed and you are successful there will come a time when knowing how to do it correctly will save lives.
Done correctly the snake has no option but to swallow the prey, it's all about technique.
We've saved numerous snakes that are thriving now including the BEL female last season that needed 7 assist feeds before she figured it out.

Sorry about your loss, it's heartbreaking to lose them so quick after all of the work involved in producing them

[3skulls]

How do you learn how to do it correctly? I hope I never have to do it, but if I do, I want to be able to do it right.

To the OP I'm sorry for your loss.

[TJ_Burton]

How do you learn how to do it correctly? I hope I never have to do it, but if I do, I want to be able to do it right.

To the OP I'm sorry for your loss.

One way I have "assist" fed balls who refuse to take food is to curl your finger and thumb around their neck behind the head, and hold the pinky in their mouth with your other hand so the pinky's head is at the back of their throat. Then it is a waiting game, the only way the snake can move anywhere is to swallow the pinky and move forward. This can take time though, so do it near the TV and have the snake in your lap. Longest I have had to wait for the snake to swallow the meal was 25min. Expect them to put up a fight.