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can't get baby copperhead to eat
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by challenger on September 23, 2004
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I recently found and am keeping a baby coppperhead. I have oferred it various meals-w-no luck. Do they need to shed for the first time prior to feeding. I have kept many non-hot snakes but this is my first venemous. I have always wanted one and got lucky one day by finding this one which, I beleive is a hatchling.
Also can these snakes be handled? My better judgement says no but I thought I'd get some other opiinions. It is very docile and has yet to show any type of striking or aggression
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RE: can't get baby copperhead to eat
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by Crotalus_Catcher on September 23, 2004
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I can't help you with the feeding, but I must stress, DO NOT handle the snake!!!! The babies are the hardest to keep, in my opinion, because they seem so cute and calm and they don't seem like they would bite. But when you get complacent, you're probably going to get bit. Be safe!!!
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RE: can't get baby copperhead to eat
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by Phobos on September 23, 2004
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Hi:
They may look docile but they can give you a nip you won't soon forget! They can go from pussycat to Croc in between heartbeats...don't "free handle"!!
They usually don't feed till they shed for the first time. Try tease feeding see this article:
http://www.venomousreptiles.org/articles/53
Try pinky mice to start. Once they strike it, leave it next to the snake and cover the cage and turn out the lights, check in 30 min. repeat again. You may have to get it "really pissed" to get it in the mood.
good luck,
Al
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RE: can't get baby copperhead to eat
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by challenger on September 23, 2004
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Thanks for the help folks. You don't think this thing is looking to hibernate this early in SE NC do you? We will still see days in the 80's or hotter for a few weeks? Is it driven to hibernate by the hours of daylight?
Also I will not handle this one. It looks as gentle as a corn but one mistake and the MD's are singing CHA-CHING
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RE: can't get baby copperhead to eat
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by AquaHerp on September 24, 2004
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I am going to go out on a limb here and make a couple of points. The original post says things such as the snake being a "hatchling" it being "docile" and the poster "recently discovered they were caring for a copperhead". All of these can't help but signal to me that keeping a hot snake is not something that might be a good idea at this point.
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RE: can't get baby copperhead to eat
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by challenger on September 24, 2004
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My original post does not state, "recently discovered they were caring for a copperhead"? Also I have read in many other posts about the docile nature of Copperheads and I have personally interacted with adults that did not show aggression or strike at a pole. I'll admit I'm no herp by most standards but it seems to me as long as caution is observed why not save a snake? I live in a area where 99% of the people kill ANY snake on site period and it frfustrated me. This one I hope to raise for a while and let it go on a large unpopulated forrest. Why would you be so quick to squash something like this? There sure seems to be a lot of people keeping hots and looking at the photo album some don't have better judgement required to keep one. You will not see any photos of me being bitten by a hot. My ball python nipped me once and that was lesson enough.
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RE: can't get baby copperhead to eat
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by AquaHerp on September 24, 2004
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Okay.."recently found I was keeping...."
Why am I so quick to react in this fashion? Perhaps it is because that it is obvious by the post that you know nothing about this snake let alone keeping it. One should ALWAYS endeavor to research any animal they are going to keep before-hand and gather as much information as possible and then render a qualified decision based upon that information.
I have no issue with anyone keeping venomous snakes. It's just something that a person should work up to and not simply fall into by happenstance. You can jump back at me all you like and call me all the names you wish. But when you're done, go grab a book and do some reading up on the animal that you have.
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RE: can't get baby copperhead to eat
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by challenger on September 28, 2004
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well so far I've had three tree frogs and three anoles invenomated and left uneaten. I got it strike a pinky mouse and it too was left untouched. It is amazing to me what the venom did to this thing. After about an hour it was almost liquified. I thought it would do a job on a living (blood circulating) bit of prey but to see even pre killed deteriorate was very interesting to me. I have crickets in the cage which I have read they will eat so I
'll keep trying. Any additional suggestions are greatly appreciate it. When should I start worrying about this snake? It seems healthy and was even using it's green "worm tail" to attract the most recent anole I tried-very realistic looking worm.
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RE: can't get baby copperhead to eat
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by vemon on September 29, 2004
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How are you keeping the snake? Does it have a hide spot and hot spot? I am suposing it is a wild caught and I have to commend you on your effort. Everyone's got to start somewhere, I personally started out w/a Lepidus. If the snake does not feel comfortable or is in an area of high traffic this could effect its eating response. I have found that once a snake gets comfortable in its surroundings (a natural looking set up) they seem to eat w/no problems. But again you could have a nonfeeder. In this case I suggest you find some help from an experienced herper and try to tube the snake and either force feed it or tube feed it w/a syringe. Good Luck and be careful!!!
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RE: can't get baby copperhead to eat
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by challenger on September 30, 2004
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Right now I have it in a large "critter keeper" and have carpet on the
bottom and a hollowed out 1/2 a small log. I have h2o which I have seen it
drink and a few crickets which I just now counted (6) to see if he will eat
them. He kills the anoles when they get close to him but they don't get
eaten. I iwll look at forcing a pinky down it after I talk-w-a local guy
that has a huge business selling venom and has a side show serpentarium
which is indescribable. His snakes are incredible and come from all parts of
the world.
Thanks - Howard Christian
BTW-he just envenomated another lizard (1hr ago)and set up next to it like he was going to chow down but never did??
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