Corn Snake Hatchlings first feeding? Help?

Question

Just got a hatchling last sunday and he shed this morning for the first time. Going to try feeding him tonight of tomorrow morning. From what I have researched, it is best to feed them in a separate container. I also have read no to handle them afterwards.

With that being said, should I carefully transfer him back to his cage once he eats or leave him in the feading area to digest? Since his home is where the heat source is, I figure it would be better to get him back in there.

Thanks

Answer 1

Feeding him in a separate container is fine, as long as he feels secure i.e. somewhere to hide. Once he has finished his meal you may transfer him back into his enclosure. Picking him up just to move him to his enclosure will do him no harm.

I have to feed 30 odd new mouths each year, when breeding season arrives. It can take up to 3 hours to feed the little critters so i feed 3 or 4 at once. A lot of them like to curl round my fingers whilst they're eating so these don't enter the tubs, i try to put them in their feeding tubs if i can then transfer them back to their enclosure.

Answer 2

niether i would leave him in their for 30 minutes and then put him back in his cage

Answer 3

yea dont worry, when people tell you not to handle it them mean like, handling it like you would normally, its perfectly safe to transfer it to its tank after eating...what i do, i just let him swally the whole pinky or whatever your feeding it and let go down its neck for about 2 minutes after swallowing then i put him back.Hope This Helped!

-Patrick

oh and yes, feed it in a seperate container so it doesnt associate your hand in the tank for a mouse, and it also prevents impaction from particulate substrate. =)