Lizard scenting pinkies?

[backafter30]

Just wondering how others go about scenting f/t pinkies with lizard scent. I recently purchased a finicky hatchling that supposedly will eat well if the pinkies are lizard scented. I may buy an anole for the task, but have also noticed online an aerosol lizard scent by a company called Jack's Juice. (for enhancing fishing lures) Has anyone used this, and is it safe for snakes? Your comments are appreciated!

[Starbuck]

an aerosol scenter seems a little fishy to me (har har har!), i dont think i would use it :/
what kind of hatchling is it?
someone with more experience raising baby snakes should be able to help you...

[Jim Smith]

I would never use a liquid fish scent spray on food for my animals. I am a fisherman and use Jack's juice on occasion when fishing plastic baits. The stuff is very oily and includes so many ingredients that would not be good for your snake to the point that it could quite possibly kill it. If you want to try scenting with lizard, buy an Anole and try that first. Also, there are some other techniques that may be useful as well to get your little guy eating. Try posting that question here on the board and see the responses from some of the very experienced and smart people here.

Jim Smith

[infernalis]

I had to "kick start" my black racer by using anole shed skin wrapped around a pinkie.

It was tricky, because the Anoles eat the sheds.

Shed snake skins work (sometimes) too.

If it's a baby corn snake, shame on the dealer for selling it before it was feeding properly.

[Wyldrose]

I agree with Wayne why would they sell it before it's eating good?

I have had success with a few different methods(with baby cornsnakes).
*Lizard scenting, rub a f/t pinky on a lizard anoles work the best
*Tuna juice scenting, the liquid from a can of tuna. Sardines work good too.
*Washing the pinky with dish soak, dawn sunlight etc. It removes the urine odor, when animals are put down they lose bladder control.
*live pinks. I have had a couple non-eaters go crazy for live and then switch to f/t

[backafter30]

Thanks for the responses! I do intend to try all of the above suggestions. I figured the spray was too good to be true, but had to ask if anyone had tried it first. I couldn't even find out what was in it from the manufacturer's website. I guess I could just contact them?

The baby in question is a leucistic black rat snake, and the breeder is well known with decades of experience. Don't blame him. He wasn't going to sell me the pair at all because the male was only eating scented pinkies. He offered me a refund, or a deal, and I took the deal and agreed to accept the little problem child as is. The breeder was very up front with me, and could have just sent me the snake without warning, putting profit over customer, but he did not, and I give him kudos for that.

I think I'll try visiting all the various PetCo, PetSmart, and independent pet stores in the area first, offering to clean their lizard cages of shed skin. If that doesn't work, I'll just buy an anole, unless they'll rent it to me or let me come in and rub my pinkies all over it. I don't have lizards, and hadn't intended to start with them, but I should be able to switch him over to mice after awhile. At least the snake does eat, so that's half the battle.

[shaunyboy]

there used to be a product by exo terra called lizard maker,it was a bottle of liquid with a dropper built into the bottle cap,you washed the pinks in warm water,then added a couple of drops of lizard maker on their head and back,it tricked the snake by giving off a lizard scent (the product was designed for snakes)

i have no idea how safe a fishing product would be for a snake mate

cheers shaun

[backafter30]

I got the little guy today, and he ate an unscented, but live, pinky not an hour after I unboxed him. I guess that doesn't mean he won't be stubborn later on, but it's promising! I'm still interested in the spray/scenting techniques, though, because I just may get another one next week!