problems with Naja kaouthia - Experts Forum at VenomousReptiles.org

problems with Naja kaouthia	Reply
by snakeguy101 on March 22, 2010	Mail this to a friend!
At the Columbia show, I picked up some hatchling monocled cobras and have been trying to feed them since I brought them home. I have tried everything including brained pinks, minnow (live and dead), and chicken gizzards but they do not seem interested at all. I am keeping them warm, they have plenty of places to hide, and are very active and healthy looking so why will they not eat? They are 22 days old as of today, is it normal for them to go this long without eating after hatching? Any input is appreciated.

RE: problems with Naja kaouthia	Reply
by lanceheads on March 22, 2010	Mail this to a friend!
Chris, Give them some more time. They might had eaten prior to your purchase and they also might be in a shed-cycle. IMO, skip the minnows, and offer them live pinkies with a little fuzz on them. Leave them overnight and don't disturb them. Randal Berry

RE: problems with Naja kaouthia	Reply
by JHarrison on March 22, 2010	Mail this to a friend!
If they do not take fuzzy mice after letting them settle in frogs and minnows have always worked to get ours feeding. Kristen

RE: problems with Naja kaouthia	Reply
by najasuphan on March 22, 2010	Mail this to a friend!
With baby cobras I've always had a lot of success scenting a pinky with some sort of fish. I've even used those little feeder comets that you can get from the big chain pet stores for cheap. Just freeze it and when it's time to feed I would just rub the frozen fish around the face of the pinky and that has always been irresistible to them. Never even had to thaw the fish out. -Jamie

RE: problems with Naja kaouthia	Reply
by lanceheads on March 22, 2010	Mail this to a friend!
Interesting Kristen! I have hatched out several clutches of monocles, and never had a problem with them not taking rodents. Ya see, I learn something everyday! Randal

RE: problems with Naja kaouthia	Reply
by snakeguy101 on March 22, 2010	Mail this to a friend!
I am looking for some frogs/ lizards but it is still a little bit too cold for them to be out and about yet. Also, the guy I purchased them from said that they had not eaten yet. I have left pinkies in there for a full day with no effect and I have a minnow in the water bowl now and they do not seem interested. I tried tease feeding both of those as well as chicken gizzards and STILL no interest is shown in eating anything. How long do the usually go before eating?

RE: problems with Naja kaouthia	Reply
by Pug on March 22, 2010	Mail this to a friend!
I think you're trying too hard. I suggest that you knock off the "tease feeding" and all other interaction with them until they settle down. Once they become comfortable in their environment, you should notice different behavior, i.e., looking for food. Then quietly place the prey item in the cage and go away. If they won't take a mouse, you may want to try a small toad. Never met a kaouthia that could resist one.

RE: problems with Naja kaouthia	Reply
by theemojohnm on March 22, 2010	Mail this to a friend!
I agree. You are trying way too hard, and putting way too much unneeded stress on the snakes. I wouldn't have even tried to feed them yet, I don't think.. Actually, I provide water for new arrivals, plenty of hides, and in a lot of case will even cover the cages of new Elapidae, with a towel or dark cloth. Then, they are left alone for at least 10 days, and usually more.. As they settle in and become accustomed to routine cage maintenance, etc, then I'd offer food. Of course, lizards and frogs are options. I have used stream shiners for scenting, with good results. Although, I wouldn't abandon pinkies just yet. Let them settle in; update us in a week. Imagine the journey those animals made in crammed deli cups, from the vendors location, being moved around, looked at all day at the show, and then moved to your location. An ordeal like that certainly has to be traumatic for the animal.. Naja can also be a bit witty, and stubborn. Often times it take a bit to earn their trust. Let them settle in a while, and keep us updated. Best of luck. Take Care, -John Mendrola.

RE: problems with Naja kaouthia	Reply
by pictigaster1 on March 22, 2010	Mail this to a friend!
I found a bunch of little baby spade foot toads and fed them to my candoia with in an hour they all were dead.Big mistake for a spade foot they are quite toxic.It would seem that Randals Idea of a slighty furred fuzzy pink would work fine as it has worked for me on a bunch of non eating babies.Also yolk fat can last a month easy and prevent hunger.Impatience can kill a snake from stress as well from to much interaction.

RE: problems with Naja kaouthia	Reply
by JHarrison on March 22, 2010	Mail this to a friend!
Yeah. Normally most eat rodents but we will have a few that don't know they should eat them. This year we have hatched 200 Naja kaouthia and have several gravid Naja naja (probably will have about 100 eggs.) Kristen

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