Failure to Thrive

[lauwersp]

I'm beginning to sadly think that one of my favorite new little ones is exhibiting these symptoms. One of my two that has a lot of orange seems to be uninterested in eating. At this point I have the little one isolated in a separate tank and placed some worm niblets on a plastic lid inside that tank to reduce the stress of being handled prior to eating as well as no competition for food.

Same result. Come to the food... got the scent of the food... nothing.

Maybe I'm not cut out for this... I'm REALLY sad about it if it turns out to be FTT. I want to force feed the little one, despite the fact that the most experienced of you have all commented that it will do no good.

I know this is part of the cycle of life. But it sucks. Ugh.

[chris-uk]

Hopefully this one will turn on to feed before long. Couple of questions - assume you've tried all the other food options as well as worms? And how long has this one not been eating?
You may already have tried this but try putting the food on a dish (I use jam jar lids) and slip it into a hide, and leave it overnight. Some babies w only eat when they feel completely secure.

Fingers crossed for you, FTT sucks.

[guidofatherof5]

If you're not cut out for this then the rest of us aren't either.
Keeping this special snakes comes with many highs and many lows.
Hang in there.
Have you tried small feeder fish(guppies)?

[katach]

My babies last summer didn't eat for at least 3 weeks after birth (the ones that ate first) They finally ate cut up night crawler drizzled with salmon juice. The fish scent was what did it. Keep at it. It takes time and patience. You can do it. Keep us posted.

[lauwersp]

Thanks everyone. You're restored some hope. Firstly, I'm tenacious so I'll never give up, but I've taken a shine to this little guy and I really wanna see him/her make it. The other 12 are doing great! Guido... Thank you for the video. I'll be tryin that Tuesday (gf is feeding/trying while I'm away). I'm really cautious about live fish now as I lost my first two garters last year to thiaminase poisoning. What do I need to ask for to ensure safe live fish?

[kibakiba]

Well first of all, don't buy fish that have thiaminase. Guppies are safe.

[lauwersp]

Well... I was buying minnows that (I think) were safe, but then I moved and the minnows near Detroit were, apparently, not. At any rate... I'll get some guppies and hopefully that will do the trick. I prefer fish to minnows anyway. The other 12 have been eating minnow and silverside nuggets.

[guidofatherof5]

Minnows usually carry a high risk of parasites (pin worm, hook worm, etc.)

[ProXimuS]

If you're not cut out for this then the rest of us aren't either.
Keeping this special snakes comes with many highs and many lows.
Hang in there.
Have you tried small feeder fish(guppies)?

Ok, sorry, a little off subject but I've gotta ask this: Is it pronounced "thamnopis" of "thamnofis"?? That was the first time I've heard it pronounced(only read it up until this point) and I always thought it was like the "ph" made the "f" sound.....

[EasternGirl]

I'm sorry that you are going through this...but don't give up hope yet...and if for some reason the poor little one does not make it...do not blame yourself. Unfortunately, it happens often with babies. My new little baby that was brought to me from the neighbor"s yard looks like she may be headed in the same direction...it breaks your heart, I know. All we can do is know that we tried our best and that the snakes were better off for having someone to look out for them and nurture them in their short time on earth. I will keep you and the little one in my thoughts.