Newbie - 1st feed -Going from live to f/t

[SullivanJames]

Hey all, new to the community and I wanted to share a few things because quite frankly, I'm excited!

A little background:
My 7 old son and I just adopted our first snake "Alpha" last Sunday from NERD (Zoo Creatures, Plaistow, NH). He's a 100% HET Pied about 2 monhts old. They told us he had been fed LIVE to this point and recommended that we continue the trend to ensure that he'll eat.

Well, I really wanted to make the switch to f/t for all of the obvious reasons so we tried it last night (for his first feeding with a f/t small adult mouse).

When we placed it in front of his hide he immediately popped out and sniffed around for a couple minutes but that was it. Being anxious, I reached in with the tongs and picked it up and put it close to his face (not touching him) and BAM! He nailed it. Within 3 minutes it was gone! He cruised around last night like normal and seems to be happy.

We haven't handled him since we took him home on Sunday but I was hoping to take him out tonight (just for a few minutes) but I've read ALL Kinds of conflicting suggestions about how long one should wait for initial acclimation as well as after feeding.

As much as I want to continue to take advice and to do the "right thing"
I guess the best way to learn is to go ahead and try (like we did with the feeding). Any strong objections?

Thanks!!!!

[ballpythonluvr]

There really aren't any strong objections with trying to feed a snake a little early. I fed my 100% het orange ghost female the day after I got her and she ate a f/t rat pup without hesitation. She has been eating very well ever since.

[mjmendoza]

just make sure the f/t is thawed out properly. I dont feed mine f/t but ive seen on here that if its not thawed out properly that they may regurgitate it. I think people take them out the freezer the day before feeding day and some even use a blow dryer to heat it up if the snake is real picky. Seems like yours isn't so picky . This forum is a great place to look if you have any questions and everyone on here is very helpful. Welcome to bp.net

[SullivanJames]

Thanks! Yeah I thawed in a ziplock in hot water for 10 minutes then put the red night light over the container it was in for a minute and it was ready to go!

I'm wondering at this point if it's ok to handle the little guy tonight or if he's likely to regurge or even strike for some reason.... I guess I'll find out

[mjmendoza]

Thanks! Yeah I thawed in a ziplock in hot water for 10 minutes then put the red night light over the container it was in for a minute and it was ready to go!

I'm wondering at this point if it's ok to handle the little guy tonight or if he's likely to regurge or even strike for some reason.... I guess I'll find out

After feeding you should usually leave him alone for 2 days just to be on the safe side.