One baby snake...

[frostyftw]

I looked in one of my containers today.

Guess what I found...

A baby snake!

I house several snakes together...

I'm not sure which one had the baby, as the females are all about the same size.

I haven't dealt with babies for a long time. In fact, I only have had one litter of 10.

That was a long time ago.

The females are not too big, so I am not expecting more...

It could happen though, right?

[guidofatherof5]

Congrats.
One baby doesn't sound right. You might get a few more.
Move them out and make sure they get that first shed done.
Maybe put them on damp paper towels for the first day or so.
I give my newborns a warm bath which helps that first shed happen.

[frostyftw]

I already moved the one snake out.

And it already shed.

I know this for sure.

I know because It was having a problem shedding, (sort of.) and so, I got the skin off.

[guidofatherof5]

Good job.;)

[frostyftw]

Thanks. :D

I'm having a little bit of trouble getting it to eat.

Any ideas?

[guidofatherof5]

Don't worry about that right now. You did say it was just born, right?
I never try to feed babies until the next day and I know many members don't try the first week.

[kibakiba]

Actually, with northwesterns, they can have one or two and be done. They usually have fairly small litters anyways.

[frostyftw]

The snake doesn't look as good as it could.

I think it needs to eat.

I don't think there are anymore on the way though.

They should have been born by now if one already was.

[frostyftw]

Honestly, I think it needs to eat.

Any ideas on how to get babies to eat?

[kibakiba]

They can take up to 14-28 days to eat. Don't force it, just offer food and it'll eat when it's ready.

[frostyftw]

Alright, I've heard that before.

It's just that I think it's too skinny.

Even for a baby..

It's like.... Really really thin, I don't know how to describe it.

Like.... Empty inside kinda thing...... Not skinny as width..

[kibakiba]

It might be underdeveloped and might not make it. However, forcing it to eat will likely kill it. It's you're choice to pick what you'll do with it in the end, but some babies just aren't fit for survival.

[frostyftw]

I'm not going to force feed it.. It's too small for that, in my opinion.

And I will keep trying to get it to eat.

[kibakiba]

Forcefeeding is never good, in my opinion.

[RedSidedSPR]

Whether it's skinny or plump, or doesn't need to eat this soon. May actually do more harm at this time than good.

[count dewclaw]

Make sure it drinks water, though. Babies can dehydrate quickly. That may be part of the reason it looks thin.

[HazAnga]

Awesome... a thread in which I've had similar situation with. This year i had a baby that didn't shed when it was born and had problems shedding until i was able to get all of the old skin off. It looked like it was going to starve to death. But it was a couple weeks before i was able to get it to eat something and it seemed perfectly fine in that time line.
As for when it comes to trying to feed it. Try using feeder guppies, it shouldn't hesitate too much to eat them. And then try a few guppies with some worm pieces or pinkie pieces or small pieces of talapia. It'll get the taste for the other food while the movement of the guppies is attracting them to eat the other food as well. It's a great trick and hasn't failed for me yet.

[katach]

My baby NW didn't eat until day 15. One ate for the first time yesterday. Be patient. Keep offering, but don't expect it to eat right away.

[frostyftw]

Alright, I'm just worried.

It'll work out though, I'm sure.

[katach]

Also remember that they are full on mama's yolk, so they aren't starving. Be sure they have fresh clean water and are warm enough, but not too warm. You don't want to cook them. Keep the questions coming if you need help!

[frostyftw]

Alright, thanks.

[kibakiba]

Also, if it is dehydrated, sticking its head in a water dish will help with that.

[frostyftw]

Alright, thanks.

So, you're saying that if I do that, the snake might drink?

I'm new with babies, I haven't dealt with them for a long time, and it was a one time thing, as when my snakes had babies, my mom got rid of them all..

Now she doesn't really care. She said "Back then I freaked out, but now I know that you can do this. Besides.... It's so cute!"

She likes it so much that she wont make me get rid of them, again. :D

[katach]

When my babies were born I checked on them every 2 hours or so. I wanted to make sure I saw them drink and I felt them to be sure they were in a good temp. I had them on damp paper towels for the first 2 days to help prevent dehydration.

[guidofatherof5]

Good advice Kat.

[frostyftw]

Wow, I never thought of damp paper towels. Thanks for the idea!

[RedSidedSPR]

Not soaked though.

[frostyftw]

Alright, thanks for that other tip.

I wont make it too wet...

Just a little bit wet.

[RedSidedSPR]

I don't actually know how wet, never done this, but ya know, damp. Probably mist it a good bit, dont run water on it or anything.:D

[RedSidedSPR]

I don't want to say that like I actually know. 'cause I don't.

[katach]

Wow, I never thought of damp paper towels. Thanks for the idea!

That one I got from Richard. It works very well. I just ran a few paper towels under the faucet with tepid water and then wrung it out. Damp but not dripping. I changed them twice a day because they dry with the heat and I wanted a barrier between the belly heat and the babies.

[RedSidedSPR]

There see? What do I know. You DO run water on it.:D

[kibakiba]

Just slightly damp would work.

[katach]

I wrung them out pretty well. I used the faucet because we don't have a spray bottle.

[frostyftw]

Alright, thanks.

I used a damp cloth.

Does that work?

[guidofatherof5]

That will work just fine.

[frostyftw]

Alright, thanks.

I will let you guys know any news with the baby snake. :)

[katach]

Pictures too! :D

[frostyftw]

Oh!

You're right!

I forgot pictures! :D

[RedSidedSPR]

Well get on it!!:D

[frostyftw]

Sorry... My phone is being weird....

I took the pictures...

The hard part is uploading them to Photobucket.

It's only hard because my phone is being slow..

I don't know why....

Things are taking a long time to load.

[frostyftw]

I finally got my phone to work! :D .....The pictures!!

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz184/williamfweller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAGE_138.jpg

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz184/williamfweller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAGE_139.jpg

Some closeups. :D

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz184/williamfweller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAGE_141.jpg

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz184/williamfweller/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAGE_144.jpg

[frostyftw]

It was hard to see the baby snake for the first 2 pictures.

So, it's a little zoomed in.

Anyway... I don't remember my last batch o' babies being that small.

It has been a while.... Maybe I'm not used to snakes being that small.

Honestly, the pictures show the snake being a lot bigger then it actually is.

[guidofatherof5]

Looks like a normal size baby to me.;)

[frostyftw]

Okay, just making sure.

It looks so tiny though....

Oh well.

[katach]

NW babies are small.

[frostyftw]

Alright..

I wasn't sure, thanks.

[katach]

You have a little cutie there.

[frostyftw]

Thanks!

I still am not sure what is small enough for it too eat, besides cut up worms.

It doesn't want the worms right now, and it is kinda empty inside.

I'm worried.

I know that a lot of people say "Wait to feed it..." but I'm not sure how much longer it can wait.

I need suggestions on what will be able to eat.

[thamneil]

Honestly, I don't think you are in any major rush to get him eating. Worms are probably your best option. I have heard that northwesterns like slugs very much. If the worms arent doing it, try slugs. Good luck with the baby! Looks like a healthy little guy :)

[katach]

They likely will not eat for a while, about 2wks. Try worm or slug chunks or slug scented worm chunks. Good luck.

[frostyftw]

Alright, I hadn't considered slugs, as only one of my snakes has ever accepted slugs as food.

I'll give it a try though!

Thanks!

[katach]

Yeah NW love them. I don't because of the slime. Slugs are what got 2 of my 3 hold outs to eat. They were 7 1/2 weeks old when they first ate. The other 5 started to eat at 15days old. They are 8wks old now.

[kibakiba]

Trust me, just offer food every other day. It will eat when its ready. It you force it, you'll hurt it or kill it.

[frostyftw]

Okay, I understand. I will not force feed it. It will start eating when it wants to.

[frostyftw]

It hasn't eaten yet.

I measured the baby today.

I got it as stretched as possible.

The baby snake is no more then 5 inches.

Probably between 4.5 - 5.0 inches.

Is that normal?

[katach]

Yes. NW are very small.

[frostyftw]

Okay, I'm just checking.

I still think the baby is abnormally tiny.

But of course, it's just me.

[Kantar]

do what I did and leave nightcrawler bites all around the enclosure. Its how I got my northern redbellies to eat and they start off at about 2.5 inches.

The baby should be starting to look for food about now