

~ There should be a temperature gradient in the enclosure, with a cool end and a warm end, and this should be appropriate for the species. The opening to the hide box should be about 2 times the width of the reptile. There are many options, ranging from a rock cave to a cardboard box. ~ Most hatchlings will not feed unless they have a hide box or retreat. A plastic vivarium the size of a large shoe box is an appropriate size until the snake is several months old. ~ Hatchlings will begin eating sooner if they live in a small enclosure.

Having all of these details correct does not guarantee success, but having one or more of them incorrect guarantees failure. This is a short list of items, but they are very important. Review all aspects of the snake’s care, focusing on the enclosure, temperature, and humidity. Or, a lizard can be rubbed on a pinkie to transfer some scent. An anole, tree frog, or house gecko can be offered as an alternative to any snake that is not eating. ~ The first meal for some snakes in the wild (for example, some boas) is a small reptile. ~ Brain the pinkie: using a scalpel blade or sharp knife make an incision into the pinkie’s skull, exposing the brain tissue. ~ Hatchling ball pythons can eat,and may prefer, a fuzzie over a pinkie. Baby pygmy mice and baby spiny mice are smaller than regular pinkies. ~ Even very tiny hatchlings can eat a whole day-old pinkie, but the pinkie can be cut in half if the suspicion is that a whole one is too large. Any secure, small enclosure with a ventilated top is fine.) Once the snake eats, repeat this feeding strategy once weekly for 3 weeks before trying thawed frozen fuzzy or pinkie.įood options to consider, using the same deli-cup technique, if the snake does not eat: (Reptile deli cups can be purchased at pet stores or online, or home-made from a regular deli cup. The first, and best, feeding option is to confine the snake with a live fuzzy or pinkie mouse in a reptile deli cup overnight. A fecal test is also worthwhile if you collect a fecal when it will be a day or more before the exam store it with a bit of damp paper towel in a Zip-lock bag. In general, we recommend a physical exam before or along with using the strategies described below. There are many reasons why a young snake will not eat. Most hatchling and junvenile snakes will eat for the first time within a few days to a month. HATCHLING AND JUVENILE SNAKES THAT ARE NOT EATING
