neonate feeding help!

jake7460 · 07-07-12, 04:16 PM

Hi all, I have 6 dusky pygmies born this morning. Is there anyone that can tell me what I can try to feed these tiny guys, and how to get them started feeding? I picked up this group of adults a few weeks back, kept them all seperate and found a group of babies in one of the cages this morn

jake7460 · 07-07-12, 04:27 PM

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...7-07150107.jpg

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...7-07133649.jpg

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...7-07140248.jpg

Wildside · 07-07-12, 04:52 PM

I always wait until the first shed before trying to feed. They have a yolk sac that will nourish them for now.

jake7460 · 07-07-12, 05:27 PM

And after that, what should I try and feed them? And how? Do I just put it inand let them figure out or what?

RandyRhoads · 07-07-12, 05:29 PM

Beautiful snakes.

jake7460 · 07-07-12, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyRhoads

Beautiful snakes.

Thank you!

botis · 07-07-12, 06:59 PM

Congrats! From the pictures, it looks like they are big enough to eat the smallest newborn pinky mice, if not, you will need to cut the heads off of small pinky mice. Once they shed for the first time, try to feed them shortly after lights out. They will likely need to be tease fed to start. Tapping their tail, and the neck just behind their head with the prey item is a good way to get them to bite. If they release after the bite, keep trying until they swallow it.

Wildside · 07-07-12, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jake7460

And after that, what should I try and feed them? And how? Do I just put it inand let them figure out or what?

I'm sorry I'm not a hot keeper. There are many qualified hot keepers around here though. Good luck!

Roadtrash · 07-08-12, 12:59 PM

Great looking hatch. These were a pleasant surprise I suppose.

jake7460 · 07-09-12, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by botis

Congrats! From the pictures, it looks like they are big enough to eat the smallest newborn pinky mice, if not, you will need to cut the heads off of small pinky mice. Once they shed for the first time, try to feed them shortly after lights out. They will likely need to be tease fed to start. Tapping their tail, and the neck just behind their head with the prey item is a good way to get them to bite. If they release after the bite, keep trying until they swallow it.

Awesome! Thanks so much! Can't wait to get them feeding and growing!
Yes they were a wonderful surprise, especially with the colors on them so far!

And thanks for reading!

botis · 07-09-12, 08:00 AM

Happy to help. The key to these little ones is persistence. They may spit it out 15 times, before swallowing on the 16th try.

jake7460 · 07-09-12, 10:30 AM

Does anyone know where I can order a venomous rack system?

KD35WIN.AS.ONE · 07-09-12, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jake7460

Hi all, I have 6 dusky pygmies born this morning. Is there anyone that can tell me what I can try to feed these tiny guys, and how to get them started feeding?

Do you have prior experience assist feeding venomous reptiles? Regardless chances are 1 or more of these guys wont accept any form of food, whether it be parts, brained, or fresh. Assist feeding animals this small if never attempted before can cause serious harm to the animal, as well as not stating the obvious. If any do not accept readily from tease feeding in any of the manners, and you dont have experience assist feeding then my personal recommendation is to attempt to find a keeper who does have this experience and will be willing to take them in. I have been on the receiving end of a newborn sistrurus m. barbouri who refused food in any form, not after 10 or so sessions would he accept on his own. Good luck.