A few photos of three hatchling corns I got as problem feeders that are all doing well now. They had not fed voluntarily for a couple months since hatching and had been force fed at least a couple times by the breeders. The snow and an amel were a gift and the anery and miami I picked up cheap at a local show. I wanted to work with them and learn how to get them started before I had problems with any hatchlings I might produce in the future.
I started these three on tail portions (about 2 inches from the base of the tail of thawed adult mice) force fed every 4 days for three feedings. Then they got a day-old thawed pinky force fed by opening the snake's mouth with the edge of my fingernail and pushing the mouse down gently - not an easy task to master and one that definately took practice. I gave them 7 days between forcefeedings to digest and then gave them a chance to take a thawed pinky before force-feeding again if they refused. The amel was severely kinked and thin and died the week after receiving the second whole pinky. The other three fed on their own after between 4-7 force feedings and all have fed consistently since then. They are doing great but are smaller than hatchlings of the same age. Just wanted to share their story and photos. I am grateful to have had these little ones to learn with and they got a chance they might not otherwise have had. It was an absolutely unbelievable feeling when each of them ate on their own for the first time!
mary v.
snow
anery
miami phase (what she was labeled as when purchased)
Threaded Mode