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In the wild Greybanded & Ruthvens Kingsnake hatchlings
feed primarily on a diet of small lizards. As this is built
into there genetic makeup it is sometimes difficult to start
them feeding on pinkies in captivity. Neonate snakes generally
do not accept there first meal until after there first shed.
If a hatchling has refused pinkies for two weeks after this
period it should be coaxed into feeding trying the methods
below. Hatchlings should be housed separately in a small
container and provided with a hide at both the cooler and
hotter ends of its cage. Fresh drinking water should be made
available at all times. The hatchling should be made to feel
secure that means not disturbing it several times a day.
Food should be left in the container for several hours preferably
over night without being disturbed. Make sure the snake is
not too hot or cold. If the hatchling is of a second clutch
eg: hatched in September/October time it may be that it's
natural instincts are telling it to hibernate. If this is
the case then hibernate it, as long as it looks healthy,
snakes including hatchlings that are hibernated properly
do not loose weight in hibernation.
If all the snakes requirements are met then try some or
all of the following.
Some hatchling will feed on live newborn mice.
Place a live pinkie in the opening to the snake's favourite
hiding place. If uneaten in a few hours, replace with a dead
pinkie.
Wash the pinkie in soap and water; this will
remove the mouse scent. Try a live one then a dead one.
Warm the pinkie up by dropping it into a cup
of hot water for a few minutes,
Cut open the top of a defrosted pinkies head
and smear the brains around the head and nose area, offer
this to the hatchling. ( Sounds disgusting but we have had
many snakes start feeding this way )
Buy a small lizard
(Uta Sceloporus or anole ). Wash a pinkie with soap and water
then with a pair of
tweezers rub the pinkie over the lizard. If you keep the
shed skin from the lizard this can be wrapped around the
pinkie.
There is a product from TREX called lizard maker
which essentially is essence of lizard this is smeared over
a washed pinkie and offered to the snake. For more information
on Lizard Maker see T-Rex Site .
http://www.t-rexproducts.com/Dynamic/default.htm
Teasing is another method used to start hatchlings
feeding. Pick the snake up and hold it gently but firmly
behind the head supporting its body in the palm of your hand.
Then tap it on the nose with a pinkie, several attempt may
be needed before it strikes out and grabs the pinkie. Once
it has got the pinkie be very still and it should continue
to take it down. Make your self comfortable before trying
this method as it could take up to 15 minutes for the snake
to eat it. The snake should then be returned to its container
and left undisturbed for a few days to digest its meal.
Assist feeding. Gently open the snakes mouth
and insert a pinkie then gently apply pressure to the top
jaw so it closes its mouth on it, and give the pinkie a little
pull so it gets stuck on the teeth. Slowly put the snake
back into its container and with a bit of luck it will eat
its prey.
If one of the above methods worked in starting your hatchling
to feed, then what next? As you will not want to continue
using these methods indefinitely.
Live pinkie feeders can be encouraged to take defrosted
by simply offering them one in the entrance to there hide,
or by wiggling the pinkie in front of them using tweezers
For those who accepted lizard scented pinkies, reduce the amount of scent
used on the pinkie over several weeks until it accepts an unscented one.
Teased snakes usually accept pinkies readily after a few
weeks.
At approx 4 weeks ( six weeks of age ) after the snake
has shed and it still has not eaten you may have to resort
to the methods described below. Only experienced persons
should administer the methods below as there is a risk of
injuring the hatchling. Speak to your local reptile society
for advise as one of there members may be able to help you
with these tasks.
If all else fails
you may have to resort to force feeding, gently pry the hatchlings
mouth open and insert
the head of the pinkie then with a blunt object gently push
the pinkie down the snake
If you have several
problem feeders it may be worth investing in a pinkie pump,
this is a syringe like
tool which minces the pinkie up as it is pushed up through
a macerator and down a tube which is inserted in to the snakes
stomach through its mouth. The pinkie pump has a calibrator
on it so you deliver just the right amount of pinkie puree.
These are usually made of stainless steel and are quiet expensive
( 70-£100 ) but if it saves one hatchling it has paid
for itself.
An illustrated guide to using the Pinky Pump can be found
at
http://www.vpi.com/9VPITipsAndTechs/PinkiePumpGuide/PinkPumpGuide.htm
Most hatchlings will except pinkies within the first three weeks of hatching,
but some like the Greyband Kingsnake, Ruthvens Kingsnake & some locality
Cornsnakes naturally would take lizards as there first meal. These hatchlings
need some encouragement and the above methods should be tried. The above
methods are quiet safe to try on any snake species not just the ones
listed above., Once your hatchling has started to feed regularly on defrosted
pinkies, then the question of how often is asked. Generally for a newborn
hatchling one pinkie every 3-7 days is sufficient. Feeding it every 3
days will increase its rate of growth, and every seven will maintain
it on a steady growth rate. As it grows then the size and quantity of
the food item must be increased accordingly…Good Luck.
All hatchlings sold by Unusual Albinos will
be established feeders on defrosted pinkies unless otherwise
stated when purchased.
© Sue Knight 2002 |
