New Baby Pics

[jitami]

Figured we're beyond the breeding sub-forum at this point but wanted to share the pics I just got of the little darlings.

2 day old T. e. elegans...

All nine piled into an inverted egg carton, even though there are two of these, each with 3 egg cups in the tank...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jitami/Surprise/DSC06296.jpg

And what happens when you lift the egg carton?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jitami/Surprise/PileCropped.jpg

A little blurry as they start to scatter, but still so darned cute...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jitami/Surprise/DSC06300.jpg

I'm so in love with these little guys... can't wait until they start eating...

[snake man]

Beutiful little guys are you keeping all 9?

[jitami]

Thanks... and no... but I need to get them all eating and make sure they're thriving before I worry about that :)

[mikem]

Great pics! I like how they all just pile up together, so cute :)

[ScimitarX]

Great pics of adorable babies :)

[Mandi0284]

Congrats on the wonderful babies. They are precious.

[jitami]

Thank you guys! I just saw one yawn for the first time... itty bitty teenie tiny little yawn... awwww... ok, I do feel a bit silly, but they're awesome!

[i_heart_sneakie_snakes]

It's like a tiny pile of cuteness!!! Thanks for sharing these great shots :)

[guidofatherof5]

Nice pile of scrubs.

[ProXimuS]

So cute:D

[setfree]

They all look awsome!:D

[jitami]

Thanks guys :)

[Robyn@TRR]

The group pile behavior is fascinating.

[jitami]

I thought so, too, Robyn! They definitely had the choice to hide in several different spots, but chose to all pile together. It really is interesting.

Right now I've got food in with them for the 3rd time... still no takers, but it has gotten their attention. I have two exploring and four part way out of hides with their little heads up watching. They're so darned cute! Now just eat! lol

[Steveo]

In my (limited) experience, once one of them takes the bait, the rest should follow. It's like they know they're supposed to do something with the food, but they're not quite sure what.

[jitami]

Thanks Steveo! I sure hope one of them figures it out :) A couple have gotten really close, but they just sit there and look at it/smell it. It's funny,though, because they're still all out with their little lifted necks & cocked heads, typical garter style. It's just like you say, they know there's something interesting, but don't have a clue what to do with it.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I Hope they start eating for you like good little snakes:)

[jitami]

Me too, William. Thanks :)

[Invisible Snake]

If they haven't eaten by next week maybe you should try offering them different kinds of food?

[jitami]

I will, thanks... so far they've been offered chopped up worm & chopped up pinky. I need to buy some fish fillet and then last resort will be live fish and then feeder tadpoles if I can find any. I've never had much luck finding feeder guppies or tadpoles here, but I haven't looked in a few years...

[Invisible Snake]

Finding live safe feeder fish is really difficult, if you can't find any then I would recommend you get a small amount of rosy red minnows and use them only to scent the worms and pinkies.

[jitami]

YAY! About half now agree that worms are food :)

[Invisible Snake]

That's great news!! I'm sure the rest will follow ;)

[jitami]

Thanks Invisible! I sure hope so!

[EasternGirl]

Great pics! Cute little buggers. Baby snake yawns are the cutest thing in the world!

[jitami]

They really are, aren't they Marnie? Thanks :)

Had one of the little buggers regurge on me last night... I was giving them a bath after they had another chance at worms and were pretty much all covered in worm goo... didn't want anyone munching down on their sibling. Sigh. Not sure what the solution is to that situation, but apparently baths aren't it. I did mark the regurge baby with a silver sharpie so I can keep an eye on it, but hopefully there won't be any lasting affects. Anyone know how long I should let that little baby's gut rest? I'm assuming not as long as you would an adult, but really have no idea.

[EasternGirl]

Hmmm...it's hard to tell. Some of my snakes...well, all of them really (except for the babies)...I have to briefly handle them after eating because I remove them from their tanks to eat in feed tanks since they are all housed with roomies....and food fights could ensue. But after putting them back in their enclosures...I just leave them be. I don't actually handle my babies much at all. It just seems to stress them...and the darn little buggers are so wiggly...they will jump right out of my hands! In fact...I don't handle any of my snakes that often...they just don't like being held that much. The only two that do...Cee Cee and Sadie...will let me know when they want to be held. I would say...go by the general rule of thumb and let them rest for the day after they have eaten.

[jitami]

I do the same... none of my guys are really handled on a regular basis other than when needed to clean an enclosure or something like that. They really don't seem to enjoy it, but tolerate it when need be. The babies are actually fairly calm, but they are left alone except for once a day to get in there and clean up and/or offer food. Now that some are eating they're also pooping! Fun! :)

[jitami]

Just a quick update - 6 of 9 took either salmon, live guppy, or both today. Of the 3 who didn't eat one was the regurge baby, so I know he's capable let's just hope he's willing to give it another try sometime soon. I have them separated now and will try these 3 on worms again tomorrow. Wish me luck!

[jitami]

And another is added to the 'have eaten' bin :) Now just have one true holdout and the regurge baby to worry about. These guys really really love guppies and not a lot else... They may end up being here longer than I expected so I can hopefully get them eating a variety consistently... don't want push it too far into late fall/winter, though. Hmmm.

[jitami]

:D:D:DYAY!!!! The last little hold out just had a piece of worm and a guppy! I left her in a small container, for the 3rd time - was kind of running out of options and getting a little worried, but she did it! YAY!!!! I'm so happy! They'll be 2 weeks old tomorrow & all 9 have at least eaten something. Most multiple times. Whew! Now that I know she's got a little something in her belly I'll move her back in with the rest of the crew next time they are all fed. The rest ate yesterday and I'm a little worried about putting her in with them right away... she smelled like a guppy, even to my wimpy human nose, so not taking any chances.

Btw, have no clue if she's really a 'she'... wanted everyone eating first and didn't have enough enclosures to separate non-feeders & split into male female groups. Plus didn't want to stress anyone any more than necessary. I figure a couple more successful meals this week and then I'll start working on visually sexing them into groups.

Whew!!! What a relief... two weeks out and everyone eating.... think all are safe now? Or not necessarily? Any other thoughts or advice for me?

[snake man]

Congratz i am very happy for you!

[jitami]

Congratz i am very happy for you!

Thank you! I'm still smiling ear to ear! I was just starting to get worried. Such a relief!

[ProXimuS]

Congrats for you and the little one!

[guidofatherof5]

Good news. Congrats.

[EasternGirl]

Great news! It is always scary when babies won't eat. Keep us posted!

[jitami]

Thanks Emily, Steve & Marnie! Btw, I don't think I could help myself from keeping you posted if I tried ;)

[katach]

Great news!! Congrats on the babies and the eating. Getting that first bite is such a great thing to watch! I remember last year when my babies finally took a bite I was also grinning ear to ear and jumping up and down with excitement. Keep up the good work!!

[jitami]

Thanks Kat! I didn't actually get to watch this first bite, but that's ok. I'm still thrilled :)