I remove the hide because I usually wash the hides while the crew is eating, and it makes it easier for me to check and be sure that nobody has saved a little something for later that is going to rot and stink.
I always leave hides as some BP's like to ambush their prey from the hide. Also I feel its best to disturb a ball python as least as possible when feeding. Great feeders won't care but nervous nannies might refuse.
I always leave hides as some BP's like to ambush their prey from the hide. Also I feel its best to disturb a ball python as least as possible when feeding. Great feeders won't care but nervous nannies might refuse.
Our pastel is one of those "nervous nannies". He used to be really bad and would only eat a smaller than ideal p/k rat left in his hide with him with the lights turned off. We are slowly building his confidence up and he will eat appropriate sized meals now with the lights on. Its pretty entertaining watching him dart out of his hide or from under a piece of newspaper.
Give it a shot and see if she eats. I'm lucky and mine is super brave, I feel like I feel like I could swing her around by the tail, drop her back into the tank and she will take out any rat I hold in front of her.