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Problem feeders

Posted By:

Mongrel Kitty

Hey guys, I was wondering if any of you had any tips for me...
I hatched out 2 clutches of carpet pythons this year. Absinthe X Osiris clutch which resulted in 7 hatched eggs. And Phantom X Honey clutch that resulted in 13 laid and hatched eggs. AbXosiris clutch was hatched July 4th and I am having the hardest time getting these guys to eat. A little small, and Ive only got 3 to eat, and even then its very sparatic and inconsistent. My jungle clutch, hatched july 27th, is doing great, all have eaten multiple meals.
Very confused. I have tried live, frozen, prekilled, rats and mice of various sizes. some of the babies are starting to look scraggly and I'm worried about them. The one runty jag that was hatched from the absinthe osiris clutch has eaten twice (yay! prekilled mice pinks) but has not eaten in a couple weeks (but I think its fixing to shed).
Any advice from anyone? Thanks guys.


Points:	150
Topics:	General Health , Feeding , Neonate Rearing
Tags:	Feeding, Morelia, Neonates, Refusal, Spilota
Species:	Pythons > Morelia > Morelia spilota ssp
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

9/15/2010 2:45:48 PM

Brandon Osborne

Try small mouse hoppers. Carpets can take very large meals and usually don't notice food unless it's moving around.

Assisted Answer

9/15/2010 4:13:12 PM

JohnJohn

I'm not sure if this works for baby carpets, but works greatly on baby bloods. Bloods are sensitive and really must feel secure before they will eat. So they often won't eat if in too large an enclosure. The same baby that won't eat in a larger tub will turn around and eat just fin in a tub that just seems surprisingly too small. Again, I have no idea if baby carpets behave that way, but you might give it a try.

I also agree with Brandon that sometimes larger meals will be taken better than smaller.

Oh.....and have you tried wiggling the food in front of the snake on a pair of tongs like the "magic mouse zombie dance"? That sounds crazy, but if you wiggle it just right it can really help.

Author Comment

9/15/2010 7:02:31 PM

Mongrel Kitty

I have tried hoppers. They are in a rack system in 6 quart tubs, and have 2 perches. I have done the magic mouse dance, for hours with both mice and rats. making them dance, dragging them across the floor, even held live ones with tongs. I've teased them, tried to lure them, and at some times just try to get them to snap at them which little to no success.
I keep trying hoping they will take something but have been struggling...

Assisted Answer

9/15/2010 8:30:27 PM

tmth

Have you had them perched while teasing them with food? Sometimes that really helps for them to be grabbing on something with their body.
You could also try putting them in a deli cup or paper bag with the food overnight.
One of the guys in my clutch last year (16) went for 5 months without eating. Once he started, he's great now.

Member Comment

9/15/2010 9:14:39 PM

Brandon Osborne

I also agree with perch feeding. Try quick movements to and from the snake. This often works with baby chondros. Try coming from underneath the snakes as well.

Author Comment

9/15/2010 11:27:08 PM

Mongrel Kitty

Yea... I have perch fed. i try to hold it in front of their face then snatch it away. trying to get their attention. ive tried dragging it under them. putting it in front of them. tapping them with it (but I always resort to this last as to not scare them). I also am on awesome terms with Will Bird and he's been trying to help me out, too. Just.... sucks.
They will hardly strike at the food....
jungles on the other hand try to eat everything, including me.

Member Comment

9/16/2010 4:16:54 AM

shellboa

Have you tried scenting with bird, like chicken. I know of a guy who had to scent one clutch he had. he said it was pretty easy to get them on mice once they actually ate a couple times.

Author Comment

9/16/2010 10:40:53 AM

Mongrel Kitty

no i haven't tried scenting yet. I also haven't tried removing them from their cages and using a deli cup or paper bag. So... i'll try anything.

anyone have any ideas on how long they can go before taking their first meal?

Member Comment

9/16/2010 4:56:31 PM

BuddyB

Chick scent, quail scent, lizard scent, frog scent, pull hair from a frozen gerbil or hamster and dip the pink or fuzzy in the fur, dip the pink in egg yolk, scent the pink with fish.
16-20 weeks without a meal

Buddy B

Member Comment

9/16/2010 5:01:15 PM

Brandon Osborne

Neck and tail tapping also tends to get a strike response.

Accepted Answer

9/16/2010 6:12:51 PM

dalvers63

I have two clutches of IJs this year and honestly, I'd not worry about them unless they are losing a significant amount of weight. I still have a few from my clutch that hatched in April that have only fed once or twice. I offer small rat pinks or mouse fuzzies every 7-10 days and from past experience, they will eat when they're ready. About the only difference I make is I will alternate offering live vs F/T.

Out almost 20 baby carpets this year I only have 2 or 3 that are being difficult. I had one from last year that took until he was over a year old to consistently feed. He's now in his new home and doing great and all I did for him was offer food every 7-10 days.

If you do have some that are losing weight, I'd try assist feeding with a mouse fuzzy or pink. Often just getting something into their mouths will jump start the system and then they'll be great feeders from then on.

Member Comment

9/17/2010 1:59:40 AM

CrEYEhavok

I agree with dalver on this one.. Patience is what I recommend as long as the hatchlings seem to be holding weight and muscle tone then not much to worry.. Some carpets can be stubborn to get going but they usually do.. If you're getting panicy try putting them in a small paper bag with an active fuzzy. I think the activity of the mouse combined with the tight quarters triggers the response but if you don't want to try that just wait for them. They'll come around.

Member Comment

9/17/2010 8:54:19 AM

Acheron_08

I have yet to get my little guy to eat to :( but I brained a live pink he struck at it but didn't eat it. I am going to scent my pink with chicken broth it worked for my corns and my burm when I switched him to f/t . And if that doesn't work I am going to do the chick down thing. Saw my friend Speedy do it with a clutch of chondros. And worked like a charm :) what did was brained the pink and then took some chick down and maned it like a. Loins mane around then head of the pink :) good luck keep us posted cuz I want one of those little babies :)

Member Comment

9/17/2010 5:33:47 PM

Aimee

I had an IJ hatchling last year that didn't eat till she was 4 1/2 months old...and she's fine now, eating and growing well. I was sure getting nervous, but she kept condition. I tried EVERYTHING - she eventually took a f/t mouse fuzzy scented with a piece of chicken chick. I thawed it overnight in the fridge in a little baggie with the little chunk of chick. I ran warm water over both in the baggie to heat it. then I fished out the fuzzy, played the pinkie-dance, and she struck.

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