Hypo Upper Keys

The pair I had purchased were problem feeders since the day they arrived. I've offered everything and neither had ever made an attempt to eat on their own. I've been force-feeding them for months in between offerings to keep them alive, but the little male died a few days before this photo session. I refuse to give up on this female in hopes that some day I will find the meal she'll eat on her own.

That's sad, Susan...I really, really liked that pair.

And she's so pretty, too. What a shame! I hope you have good luck getting her to finally eat something.

Well, at least she's pretty! Have you tried her on live ASFs yet?

Have you tried small anoles and geckos yet? I know people always talk about internal parasite transfer BUT heck, if your snakes about to die, I'll take the chance. I've had luck in the past with live baby anoles and geckos on baby key corns (and baby problem feeding corns in general). They love the erratic movement of teh lizards/geckos...really excites them...plus in nature these are a big part of their diet as neonates.

Sorry to hear of your loss... I've force fed "many-a-mouse tail" in my time... it keps them alive but never really gets them thriving.

Good luck! The only reason I mention anoles is because I saw you lived in Florida (Hail Florida- I LOVE your state)...put a jihad out on small anoles...

Graham

RobbiesCornField said:

Well, at least she's pretty! Have you tried her on live ASFs yet?

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If I had any ASFs, I would have.

StrangeCargo said:

Have you tried small anoles and geckos yet? I know people always talk about internal parasite transfer BUT heck, if your snakes about to die, I'll take the chance. I've had luck in the past with live baby anoles and geckos on baby key corns (and baby problem feeding corns in general). They love the erratic movement of teh lizards/geckos...really excites them...plus in nature these are a big part of their diet as neonates.

Sorry to hear of your loss... I've force fed "many-a-mouse tail" in my time... it keps them alive but never really gets them thriving.

Good luck! The only reason I mention anoles is because I saw you lived in Florida (Hail Florida- I LOVE your state)...put a jihad out on small anoles...

Graham

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I had a F/T small anole that she refused, plus plenty of scenting, also refused. Finding any live lizards of any species around my house is not the easiest thing. I finally have a few adult anoless hanging around, but finding anything small enough, then being able to catch it, is much easier said than done. And I don't waste time and effort force feeding just tails. I go the full route and force whole pinkies. I have a pretty good technique that is quick, easy and minimally stressful. I actually had an '08 hatchling make it up to 26 grams being force fed but I eventually euthanized him a couple of months ago figuring that if he didn't start eating on his own in over a year, he was never going to.

Should I ask? How do you force feed?
And good luck on this BEAUTIFUL little girl. Waht does Upper Keys mean?

F/T lizards and scenting just doesn't provoke the same response out of baby corns as something live does.

It's work sometimes to find live baby lizards but for rare babies, I try hard. Heck, you can always order baby anoles from south florida... I've had to do that before. I brought back a bunch of baby anoles from Daytona this year- the nonfeeders went wild. I use a large aquarium net...easier to cathc the anoles... or go out at night when the anoles are sleeping (easy to catch).

I hope she comes around for ya!

Have you tried Hurley's tube feeding method?I think she was giving egg yolk or something..

wasuslitherin said:

Waht does Upper Keys mean?

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Upper Keys means that it has Rosy ratsnake (aka Key Corn) mixed in. There's been alot of morphs crossed into upper key corns (ie Rosy Ratsnakes) lately... the combos are looking pretty neat!

Beautiful Susan!!!

Sweet looking example! I hope he starts eating soon. Did you try the magic of ivory soap?:shrugs:
I've been pretty fortunate that all of my HUK & HUK bloods have been very good eaters.