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  1. #2
    BPnet Lifer Bogertophis's Avatar
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    If her eyes are indeed cloudy*, don't keep offering food until after she sheds. (*double-check this in dark room with a small-bright-beam flashlight, shine across the arc of her eye)

    It's harder to see the cloudiness of an impending shed on a light-colored or albino snake- this is something you need to get familiar with a.s.a.p.

    Don't be too quick to take this young snake to a vet- that will only stress her further, & stress means she'll most likely refuse food. It's unlikely your snake is actually "sick"- this is a husbandry issue, & very few vets can or will help you with that. They specialize in medical & surgical treatment of injuries & illnesses; snake-keeping skills are what we do here, so keep reading & asking.
    Vets don't have all day to review how you're keeping your snake, & how exactly you should offer food, etc.- a 'good' vet may try, but the wrong vet may prescribe something that can do more harm than good, on a hunch.

    If you ever do need a vet- this site may help: https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661 (But please, not yet.)

    It's too late now, but you should not have bought a snake that's been started on live prey when you know it's not available where you are- it's a risky thing to try, especially if you're not very experienced with starting young snakes.

    And I just posted this on another thread but it applies here too:
    No handling the snake until it's settled in & feeding reliably (at least 3+ times for a hatchling- more is better, safer). Weighing a snake IS "handling"...don't do it! The time to weigh was right when you got him home & had to handle anyway. After that, not until he's settled in & feeding, or you can put him off eating at all. Eating is "job #1". Do NOT handle.

    Many new snakes (of any age) won't eat right away, in the first week or more. They need time, & LOTS of privacy.

    Feed EXACTLY what the snake was eating before you got them- make no changes until they're feeding reliably. If live, then feed live. If mouse, feed mouse. If rat, feed rat, as rodents all smell & (presumably) taste different.

    Hatchlings are still learning & need to focus on just being a snake- feeling safe & secure, & learning to deal with prey- NOT with humans. So try to stay out of their way- keep their enclosure in a quiet place, block their "view" if needed. Avoid making adjustments to their home unless essential- the time to do that was before the snake arrived. Make sure the hides are the right size so the snake feels hidden.

    If food is refused, don't keep offering right away- that adds to their stress & almost guarantees a failure. For a thin hatchling, wait 4-5 days before a retry; otherwise, wait a week or more before you try to feed again. Feed only at night, in dim light. Try not to be noticeable.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

    The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” ~ Gandhi

  2. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Bogertophis For This Useful Post:

    ballpythonluvr (08-15-2021),Erie_herps (08-14-2021)

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