New snake owner ?

[Jchris1212]

I recently (about 1 week ago) got my first ball python. My question is concerning feeding....I tried last night to offer him his first meal he did not seem at all interested in the live rat hopper. Now this I understand is common and can happen in a new setting so Im not concered about this. My question is should next week I offer the snake a mouse (thats what he was feeding at the breeders, but the mice just didnt look big enough where I was) and also, I am feeding him in his cage.... should I pull out some of the "stuff" I have in there like the water dish and driftwood and just leave his hide? The rat kept hiding in different places. My last question for all you snake handlers is should I wait to handle my little guy until after he takes his first meal? I seem to be getting mixed advice online and know I can get the best info here from you all. Thanks for looking

Chris

[nixiefee]

First, congrats on your new family member.

Now, onto the feeding question. Here is my suggestions.

If you are going to feed live (which I would not recomend), you need to take everything but the water dish out of his enclosure before putting the live food in. I used to have to feed live (just recently got to switch to pre-killed/f/t), and taking the items out gives the food animal no where to hide and will lessen the chances of the snake being attacked by an animal defending itsself.

Now, if at all possible, switch the snake to f/t or pre-killed. This can be hard to do, and can be frustrating (as it was in my case), but let the snake get hungry enough and do the zombie rat/mouse dance for it, and it will eventually take the dead prey item. There are many reasons for switching, among them being it is safer for the Reptile, as well as, being less expensive in the long run. You can purchase frozed prey in bulk and store it in the freezer as needed.

As for handling, you want to wait the "week" that you have, you can handle before he feeds, but wait until 48 hrs after before you handle. Oh, and don't forget to put the cage furniture back in after he has ate the mouse/rat.

And go with a size that is the same around as his girth.

Hope this helps,

Nixiefee

[SlitherinSisters]

Once you bring a new ball python home you shouldn't handle it for at least a week, but most say two weeks. Don't offer food, touch it, move it, etc. My motto "if it's not eating you shouldn't be handling it." I know it's hard not to, but it's for the best!

I would wait at least another week before offering food and don't touch him in that time. I usually take out the water dish because I've had them constrict into the water dish and it really freaks me out. Then sometimes they won't eat it after THEY soaked it

If you can keep the rat hopper alive for a week you could offer him again, or just get a mouse from the pet store and offer that. It's not a big deal if it's not very big, you can bump up the size once you've got him eating well.

Also make sure your hide is nice and snug for him. They like to squish themselves in their hide.

[Kaorte]

You don't need to take anything out of the enclosure, but if the rat is hiding in the cage furniture, then maybe it would be a good idea to take some of it out.

I don't handle my snakes regularly until they have has a few consecutive meals. I would rather have them eating then be playing with them. Make sure you wait 48 hours after feeding him before handling to allow for digestion.

I agree with Isis about keeping the rat hopper around for another week and re-offering it. Live food is generally more enticing to a small ball python and they are more likely to eat. Switching to F/T should be something you do after the snake is an established feeder.

[Jchris1212]

Thank you guys for all the help with my questions. I will keep you posted and make an announcement when I get a successful feeding.

[seeya205]

I agree with Kaorte! I would just keep him on mice if thats what he is used to! When you get him eating well then try to switch to rats! I would not even try frozen until he is eating on a regular basis. I feed only live and never had a problem, it's your choice on that! I don't remove anything but I hold the tail with feeding tongs the it can't go anywhere! Don't feed or handle for the first two weeks until he is settled in! Good luck!

[Jchris1212]

Try number 2 with a live mouse........still no luck. Have a digital therm so I know temps are right.....two hides one cool one warm, still yet to really pull him out and hold, and humidity around 55%. He seems to have no interest other in it so I will try again on Fri or Sat. At least now I went and built a mouse house so Im not throwing $$ away. Any other suggestions or am i doing everything right? Thanks

[BallsUnlimited]

how long have you had him? i had gotten some females in around the 20th of december and today was the first time they took a meal. So if there not loosing weight like crazy dont worry. It just needs more time to settle in.

[Jchris1212]

Ive had him for 9 days....so not that long. I will have to be a bit more patient I suppose. Thanks for sharing about your guys just now eating from the 20th. I brand new to this and all my information comes from you guys, which are great, so I appreciate the help.

[BallsUnlimited]

Ive had him for 9 days....so not that long. I will have to be a bit more patient I suppose. Thanks for sharing about your guys just now eating from the 20th. I brand new to this and all my information comes from you guys, which are great, so I appreciate the help.

no problem. I know it gets frustrating but just give her\him some time and once its all settled in it will take a meal with out a problem. Also it can be from this time of year since many go off feed for breeding this time of year. How large is the snake?