Before we get to the Q&A part, there are a few things I must go over.

Don't stress out your snake:
Trying to feed a problem baby is stress for the owner and the pet. Try only three times a day, and then leave it alone for another day. This will let the snake recuperate after a stressful day of trying to be fed.

Don't annoy it:
Don't watch your snake to see if it eats. This can make it uncomfortable and it won't eat. Leave it alone for about 15 to 45 minutes after you stick the pinky in the tank. You should even cover the container to minimize distractions.

Don't scare it:
No sudden movements. Use fluid, smooth motions when near your baby. Don't jerk you hand around, and avoid getting your face or hand too close it it. Only when you put it in another container should you touch it.

Situation:

I just got my baby, and he hasn't eaten for a few days. I don't know when he last ate.

Wait about 3 days after you buy your snake to try and feed it. For one thing, it needs to get used to its environment before it feels comfortable enough to eat. Try feeding it then.

I did that. It still will not eat.

Here is where you start using tricks. Click on each link to go to the section that describes it in further detail. Remember, you can do variants of each one (such as a live pinky in an enclosed space, then a dead pinky in an enclosed space, or half a pinky in an enclosed space); it gives you more options.

Turn Up The Heat!
Change the Dining Area...
Too Big?
Live or Frozen?
Make It Tasty...
Anole Scenting


He ate!!! What do I do now to make sure he doesn't regurgitate it (throw it back up)?


Congratulations! Now what you must do is leave him alone for no less than 3 days straight. Keep the temperature very stable, only lowering it a little during the night. Let him relax and digest his meal. And definitely no handling. Something that might be good is to put a white sheet or pillowcase over the tank if he gets spooked a lot or is in a high traffic area. It is not necessary, however.

He threw it back up. Is he going to be ok? What do I do now?

It is not the end of your snake, but it is not good either. First, you need to remove the mouse. Make sure the tank is warm (80-87 degrees) and that he has clean water. Leave him alone for about 3 or 4 days. Then start the feeding cycle, but be gentle and extra calm. Regurgitation is very stressful for the snake.

I have an older snake. What do I do if he is not eating?

You can use the same procedures. Also with larger snakes, use small prey if the snake is a problem feeder. Otherwise, you can use the same advice.

Turn Up The HEAT!!!

It may be too cold for your baby to want to eat. Make your tank 85 to 90 degrees. Then try different procedures of feeding. Don't cook your snake. You cannot measure the temperature with just touch. Let a thermometer sit in the warm side and use the reading. Also make sure your snake has clean water.
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Change the Dining Area

If your bedding is flaky (wood chips) then you should be feeding your snake in a separate container even if it is eating. Its is bad if he swallows a piece of that stuff. If you are using sheet bedding (paper towel, newspaper, carpet, Astroturf) then you may either feed it in the tank or in another container. The preferred choice of alternate feeding area would be a yogurt container (with lid and air holes; must be solid sides, not transparent or translucent) or the like. You would put the baby in with the food, and shut the lid. Set the container in the tank on the warm side. Let it alone for 15 to 30 minutes.

Why?
Smaller containers are used because many babies are agoraphobic (afraid of large, open spaces). It also helps that baby focus on the food, instead of having to worry about danger outside.
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Too Big?

For small babies, a pinky can be too big for them. This is a little bit messy procedure, but it may work. Heat a frozen pinky, and then cut it in half. It will be small enough and your baby may eat it. The smell of the blood will also arouse hunger.
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Live or Frozen?

Your snake may prefer live pinkies or frozen pinkies. Try each one. Use the live/frozen method with other feeding methods. Alternate between each to see which your snake prefers.
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Make it Tasty

Some snakes may not eat because the scent is not strong enough. What you should do with a heated dead pinky is pierce the skull with a pin and squeeze out some blood. This is a little gruesome, but necessary to try and get your baby to eat.

Why?
The blood will make the smell of prey stronger, and therefore excite the snake so it will eat.
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Anoles

There are different scents out there to make snake food more appealing. The really only one that you would want to use would be anole scent. I do not know why, but babies seem to enjoy anoles and I have heard many success with feeding problem baby anoles.
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