hatchling corns

[stretch]

http://www.sareptiles.co.za/gallery/alb ... ns_012.jpg

Hi All

Just a couple of pics of my new hatclings, just normal corns I know but I'm really happy as this is my first attempt. 6 habe hatched so far, 7 eggs to go

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[Bushviper]

They look nice and chubby. It is always a thrill to hatch eggs no matter what the species is.

Well done.

[ClintonT]

Well done its an awesome achievement either way

[animalfanatic]

Congrats!

[stretch]

Thanks

[Corncrazy]

Well done Stretch, healthy looking babies you have there. The snake in the last pic, in the bottom right hand corner is really stunning, nice banded patterns.

[Rishaad]

Congrats man. My first attempt as well and mine started hatching this weekend too. I also have 13 eggs in the clutch.

[stretch]

All of the hatchlings are eating well apart from one, which I have managed to force feed once.

Keeping in mind that they are now 3 months old, how long do I leave this last hatchling without eating before it becomes cruel to keep it alive, should I rather put it in the freezer.

I have tried all the usuall feeding tricks such as puting the hatchling in a container with a pinky overnight, braining a pinky etc

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Anybody have any advice on my question above please?

[Mitton]

I would just keep force feeding it, 1st try to let it eat by itself and if it does not just help it. I had a few hatchling Grey Banded Kings that would not eat on their own and I had to force feed them for a few months and they started taking pinks on their own one by one after a while.
Just take the snake behind the head and gently put the pink in its mouth, it should then start to eat.

[Bushviper]

I have force fed snakes (even corn snakes) for almost a year before they fed on their own and they went on to live very long lives. It is more a matter of how much patience you have.

[Westley Price]

When you talk about force feeding, does this involve forcing the pink down the hatchling's throat or simply deep enough for it to swallow it on their own?

[Mitton]

I only put the pink in the mouth so the nose touches the throat (I never force or push) and then the mouth closes by itself and the snake will start to swallow on it's own. Has worked like this with quite a few snakes.

[Westley Price]

Yup, that's what I do too. I push the pinky in slighty and pull back lightly to make the tiny teeth "hook" a bit. That works for me.