forcefeeding cornsnake hatchlings

[ScorpDemon]

my brother has a new snake, a creamsicle corn, he got it cheap because it was feeding on live anoles, hadnt been swapped over to pinkies yet, it has ate once in my care.. but will not do so again, my question is this, how do you go about safely force feeding a hatchling? any and all help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[WhyTeDraGon]

have you tried scenting the pinky with an anole? Give that many tries before forcefeeding. Oh, and they make pinky pups I believe just for that purpose, but then again, it's a last resort. Best thing you can do is get it eating pinkies.

 

[Bry]

There really is no good way to force-feed a hatchling corn without injuring it. Just be patient with him and keep offering pinkies. Some tricks you can try: jiggle the pinky and "run" it across the floor randomly bringing it close to him and away from him...this may entice him to go after it, warm up the f/t pinky in hot water, leave the snake in a small confined spot with the pinky overnight such as a small paper bag. Scenting sounds like a good idea as well.

He may just be shy about taking food off your tongs. Some snakes will grab food from you with little provocation (such as opening the door/lid lol), some snakes require a little (or an exhausting amount of) teasing before they will take it, and some are shy about being watched, with those you will have to drop the prey in with them and leave them alone. Believe me, I have snakes in every category, LOL. My shyer ones will take food if I drop it in for them, others wait for me to leave the room, and one will feed in a confined space only if I cover it up with a towel. Even if I leave the room and turn the light off, and leave the tub uncovered, she won't eat. Most aren't that fussy though.

One word of advice: do NOT keep trying to feed your snake everyday. If he rejects the food then (or the following morning if you've left it with him overnight), just remove the prey item and try again at the next scheduled feeding in 7 days. Offering food daily will only stress it out, and set you back further.

Hope this helps.

 

[xelda]

There really is no good way to force-feed a hatchling corn without injuring it.

I agree completely.

 

[ScorpDemon]

oh believe me, ive tried scented pinkies, ive waited several days before offering anoles again, the first time it ate in my care, it ate in my hand, and out of my hand, i wasnt even planning on or trying to feed her, but it happened so i didnt stop it.. if i wasnt in a last resort type situation, i wouldnt be asking, its been almost 3 weeks since she ate, and i doubt she has ate more than 3 times, one of which i witnessed so thats the only one i can account for

 

[David_F]

I've never dealt with a non-feeding cornsnake but my kingsnake is a strange one. She only eats about once a month or once every six weeks. Does your snake look like it's losing any weight? Act like it's hungry or look like it's cruising around hunting at all? I think as long as it's not losing any weight just keep trying every week like was mentioned before.

EDIT: I guess I should have mentioned that my king is still really young too. She's under a year. Still about 13" long.

Good luck with it.

 

[Bry]

Your snake may just be shy about being watched feeding. Why can't you account for the other feedings? Is this snake being kept alone or with other snakes? Unless you're feeding the snake in the same enclosure as other snakes, you shouldn't have a problem being able to tell if the snake is eating or not. Unless of course, the pinkys have the ability to escape the cage and fly away.

 

[ScorpDemon]

Your snake may just be shy about being watched feeding. Why can't you account for the other feedings? Is this snake being kept alone or with other snakes? Unless you're feeding the snake in the same enclosure as other snakes, you shouldn't have a problem being able to tell if the snake is eating or not. Unless of course, the pinkys have the ability to escape the cage and fly away.

or.. and this is a longshot.. but the snake just might have eaten before i got it therefore cannot be confirmed by me.. i do keep it with other snakes, but i feed them in separate containers

 

[Bry]

I would really separate the snakes into their own living quarters. It's less stressful on them, and you can keep better tabs on each snake. They will thank you for it.