Much attention should be paid to just getting the food up to temperature without cooking it. Once there, immediately offer the food from below the perched neonate. Hold the item directly in front of the snakes' face at the ends of some long forceps. Attempt to keep your own heat signature out of the picture. If not taken immediately by the animal, moving the food about in sharp small movements or even annoying the Emerald by poking at it with the food item may be necessary.
Reactions can vary widely.
Some animals will strike and coil immediately, while others will take quite a while, investigating at close range, tongue flicking closely or directly on the food item. After a period of close inspection, some will slowly open their mouths and take the item in a rather timid manner. Still others will begin to back away or even run having apparently either lost interest or become intimidated by the offering. For the timid feeders knowing when to let go of the food and allowing them to take over can be tricky. These animals will often drop the food and you will be forced to start over.