Quote Originally Posted by Deborah View Post
Based on what I have seen and what other breeders that I know experience having a substrate allowing for the snake to burrow like coconut chips or aspen does help.

Now does not mean that sometime you won't have that hard to start one because it still happen, but switching things around and find what triggers them is key.

Good job.

Thank you That means a lot to me, esp. coming from you. I know you have vast experience with those snakes and breeding them. This little one had me worried. I always figured, there are SO many tricks to get a difficult one going, that I wasn't truly worried about it. I had assist fed before.

However, this one was something else altogether. I guess in a way it is good to come across a difficult situation, it sure makes one humble and the learning never ends.

I can't say for sure that the substrate made a difference, but I do feel that it did. All 4 had a better response since then. 2 of them were great eaters to begin with, but even they seem "accelerated" now, LOL. The one that ate well but was picky about switching to rats, went for it immediately since the switch. And the little problem child has finally turned the corner.

Its enough to make me consider switching hatchlings to substrate after their first shed, and after their umbilicus is healed and closed.

Perhaps its the darkness of that substrate (compared to white paper towel)? Or the fact that they can "burrow" into it (although its not a deep layer). I'm not sure, but I'm glad it seemed to make a difference.