Slither had babies, now what?

[Dougie]

What size food should I be feeding these babies. They are actually alot bigger than I thought a baby snake would be. It continues to amaze me at the size of food a snake can eat, but I don't want to have them get a pinkie or minnow stuck in their throat (if that is even possible).

[adamanteus]

If the food item is the same width as the snakes head, you'll have no problems.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I have one suggestion, it look like you are keeping them on sand... I would switch them to something other than that. Try aspen shavings, carefresh, or even paper toweling or newspaper work great!

I would just mince up the fish really fine, but don't use minnows, they contain thiaminase like goldfish and are toxic over time to your snake. You can use feeder guppies, but you have to make sure that they are indeed guppies. You can also use salmon, trout, or tilapia from the supermarket. once you get the babies to eat some fish, start cutting up a pinkie in with the fish and mix it up well so all they smell is fish... gradually change it over to just pinkies, and it should work for most of them!

Good luck!

[Dougie]

How long can the babies be with their mom? Would it work if we put all the snakes into the 29 US gallon together and just fed them separately?

[adamanteus]

Just because of the size difference I would separate them ASAP.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

it could, as long as you are careful to wash them all off after eating so that none of them smell like fish! the 29 will nto house them all once they grow up though.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

personally, i separate babies as soon as they are born though.

[Dougie]

Thanks ASnakeLovinBabe you answered a lot of questions I was going to ask! I am thrilled to feed them fish from the supermarket instead of live minnows! We will definately change the sand tonight!

I guess it will be two cages then! Boy, does hubby have his work cut out for him when he gets home!

[Snake lover 3-25]

yeah........ but i seperated my baby for about 2 wks b4 reuniting him with his mom and they've lived together ever since!!!!!!!!! but i have always fed them in seperate cages ang given them a bath after...... bathing them once a week makes them smell less in my opinion!!!!

Edit:but it all depends on the snake and some (mine) would do better than others!!!!

[lestat]

Nice babies. Good luck with them.