Neonate Baby Regurge

[jitami]

I'm guessing the situation isn't truly urgent, or at least I'm hoping it's not, but I need an answer fairly quickly so I know how to proceed... I had one of the babies regurge on me last night. I had fed all, only had 2 takers, but they were all covered in chopped up worm slime so I decided to give them a quick bath so they wouldn't be tempted to much on each other later. One of the two takers regurged while I was taking him out of the bath container. I went ahead and marked him with a silver sharpie so I can tell him apart & keep an eye on him. The big question is what now? Do I need to let his gut rest and for how long? Anything I should watch for going forward with this kid? Secondary question is how do you keep babies clean enough that they don't smell like prey items or is it not really an issue?

Thanks from a nervous new mommy!

[guidofatherof5]

I don't think the regurge is a big deal. Some babies are more easily stressed then others.
Never had any trouble with food scented babies. They usually keep themselves pretty clean in the water dish.
Not sure about the sharpie. I would be concerned about the chemicals on the skin.
SHARPIE FINE POINT (http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/%7Esafety/MSDS/SHARPIE%20FINE%20POINT.htm)

[jitami]

I know, I was worried about the sharpie as well, but being as these guys all look nearly exactly alike I wanted to be able to track that one... in an instant decision it was either sharpie or nail polish. We write on little kiddos with sharpies at swim events... but of course they have a much bigger skin surface. I've seen puppies marked with nail polish, but again, bigger surface area and mammals as opposed to reptiles. The sharpie dries nearly instantly and shouldn't be soaking through the scales/skin. I hope. Anyway... glad you're not too worried about the regurge. I'm on a quest to find feeder guppies today. If I succeed do you think it's ok to offer him food again today along with the others or should I wait a bit with him?

[jitami]

Was just doing some googling on the use of sharpies, because I know I've heard of them being used before... not sure if it's kosher to post links to other forums here, but it seems to be accepted as harmless. Just fyi... I was curious as well :)

[guidofatherof5]

I worry about all the chemicals that come in contact with my snakes. Especially petroleum based products.

[EasternGirl]

I think the regurgitation was probably due to handling the babies and the stress of the bath right after eating. It's best not to handle snakes right after they eat because it can cause them to regurgitate a meal. No biggie...now you know for future reference.

[jitami]

It had crossed my mind as well, especially with a newborn, but it was either mark him somehow or separate him. Seeing as they are always piled together I figure they must take some sort of comfort in grouping together... I dunno, I hear you Steve and I did think it through quickly, but decided to go for it. People use them on delicate reptile eggs all the time and they have been used to mark reptiles in field study programs with the only drawback being the short time the mark stays visible due to shedding. That works for me and is what I was counting on. If you want to do your own research I googled 'marking reptiles with a sharpie' and am working my way through the first page of results. I did skip the reptiles canada results as a few were to do with a snake named sharpie :)

[jitami]

I think the regurgitation was probably due to handling the babies and the stress of the bath right after eating. It's best not to handle snakes right after they eat because it can cause them to regurgitate a meal. No biggie...now you know for future reference.

Thanks EasternGirl. I did know this, but was worried about them all smelling like worm. I take it it's really not an issue?

[EasternGirl]

Well, I suppose it could be...but...I have never had it become an issue. My snow radix, Possum actually rolls around in his food until he is covered in it and then I always put him back in with Hermes and it has never been a problem. My babies also crawl around all over their worm dish...and they eat together and then they are together right after eating...have never had a problem there either. I would just suggest watching them for a little bit after you feed them. And you can call me Marnie. :)

[jitami]

Thanks Marnie :)

[EasternGirl]

Glad to help, Tami. :)

[Invisible Snake]

Hey if you can I think it would be best if you separate the neonates into smaller groups of 3 in an enclosure. Separating them by size, consistent feeders and non feeders.

[jitami]

Thanks Invisable... I was just telling my husband the same thing... that I'm going to need to split them up into feeders & non feeders soon. Groups of 3 make sense. The little sharpie guy seems no worse for the wear, but wasn't interested in eating today... no worries yet. Had 3 take live feeder guppies today, one I'm pretty sure has been a non-feeder up to this point. I still have probably 4 that haven't taken anything, but really do need to start separating them to be sure.

[mb90078]

Have you considered buying a water spray bottle? You can give them a quick spray if you want to get the scent off..

[jitami]

I do have one that I mist their enclosure with, but they really don't like it. It's not a bad idea, though. It doesn't stress them as much as a bath...

[jitami]

'Sharpie' finally ate again today after spending some time alone with three guppies in a small container ala Steve's method. I did have to move him back to a container with my last non-feeder, but have left him alone since and am hoping he keeps the guppies down. Fwiw, alone time w/ guppies didn't work (yet) for the last little hold out. Maybe tomorrow...

[ProXimuS]

Good news for 'Sharpie':) Hope the last contestant starts eating soon!

[jitami]

Thanks Emily :)

Man, now that the rest of the babes are getting the hang of hunting & eating they are brutal! Lots of open mouth (and some not so open) strikes at each other while they are hunting. Last hold out is in a deli cup w/ some guppies again and everyone else is getting their fill. It's funny that they really really prefer guppies and most spit out salmon or worm if they accidentally miss their guppy target. You can almost see them going 'pthhh - yuck' as they spit it out. lol Glad I was able to find feeder guppies... hope their future families are able to do the same, though I will continue offering a smorgasbord in hopes they get used to everything.

[guidofatherof5]

After a few pieces of worm they should start taking it without any difficulty, as a rule.

[jitami]

Thanks Steve. I'm sure you're right... kind of like little kids... just keep serving it to them and eventually it's not 'weird' anymore :)

[jitami]

Whew! Last little hold out ate for me today :)

[snake man]

Congatz!

[jitami]

Thanks :)