Letting Go...

[maniac]

I was wondering if anybody else ever expiernced this while they were feeding there ball.. After feeding my ball 1 mouse, I try feeding another.. When he strikes at it he will coil it up and begin to constrict it, but then will just let go.. I was wondering if this is just a defense bcuz it just isnt hungry or maybe the mouse scratching... He seems to only do this after he has eaten.. Anybody wanna share there thoughts?

[gozetec02]

Sometimes a ball python will kill a prey item and not feel comfortable eating for an audience. He will most likely come back later and finish the job. And if he is still eating mice he is still too small to eat two meals. Just stick to one mouse at a time and save the second one till next week. And if the mouse is scratching it must be alive. I dont want to upset anyone but i am begging you please kill it before you feed it to your ball. I would hate to hear news about how your BP lost an eye or got a wound. Their skin is beautiful and it would be such a shame to put a scar on it.
Look at this post. http://www.ball-pythons.net/PNphpBB2...ic-t-2304.html

[maniac]

He takes frozen sometimes.... But every now and then I like to give him alive because he seems to be more into it and more excited when it is live.. My usual feeting method is frozen

[gozetec02]

I dont think snakes get excited or more into it. Every keeper is ultimately responsible for their own herps. I would only feed live as a last resort. Sometimes when a ball python gets injured or bitten by a prey item they associate feedings with being injured and some never eat again or they go off feed for a very long time. I get a rat and put it in a ziploc bag and bang it against the kitchen counter and that killes it pretty much instantly. Then i use some tongs and dangle the rat in front of them. It makes me jump every time he strikes he hits it hard and fast and coils his whole body then i kind of tug on the tail with the tongs a little to simulate live prey. I have done this with Jojo my oldest ball python and with Coco my 8 week old BP and they never refuse a meal. Feeding live may be cool but having an injured snake that you have to take to the vet for at least 60 bux. If i had to choose between killing a rodent to feed my snake or seeing my snake get scratched and bit by a mouse. Well the choice is easy.

Just to remind you a tiny little mouse did this. http://www.proexotics.com/graphics/b...ive_prey_1.jpg

But as far as your question just stick to feeding one mouse at a time. If he is ready for larger prey then just move up to the next size.

[maniac]

I tried feeding my ball frozen today, He really didnt look interested, I went and got the live and he started to flick his tounge alot and grabbed it real quick.. Seems to me he got more excited with the live , then frozen -- When i start feeding rats I will deffinatley use the whack or cat method(hehe) .. That picture gets me everytime though, kinda looks like a piebald now :[