Just bought a ball python about 7 months old

[onyxelle]

Hello all,

Just wanted to introduce myself, being new to the forum and all. I would like to know if when I put the mouse in the enclosure with the snake will he go after it and eat it or is there a more proper way to do the feeding. Also, is there an average time frame of when the snake would eat after he's presented w/ the food?

I read the 'care for ball pythons' article you've got here - really helped me a lot!!!

Onyx

[Brandon.O]

well if he is hungry he should go after it and eat it. Is the food live or frozen thawed ?

[onyxelle]

it'll be alive. the seller told me he ate this week, so I'm going to try to feed him wednesday, I just wanted to know all i can before I do.

dont feed live....just..dont.

[Brandon.O]

yeah i would definitly try and feed f/t have u seen pictures of what mice and rats can do to your pet. its terrible. does somebody have that pic on here ???

[gozetec02]

You can also knock out the mouse yourself. Its much safer for you new pet.

[Brandon.O]

yeah,i do that too, just put it in a bag and whack it against something hard. its quick and fast and the rodent doesnt suffer a bit (if its done correctly)

[onyxelle]

i was told i could buy it, freeze it, thaw in hot tap water for 20 minutes, then feed the snake...

but you say just knock it out by banging it's head on a hard surface in a plastic baggie?

[gen]

Oh my gosh, please don't kill the mouse by freezing it. Just knock it out and feed it to your snake. Much less painful and quicker death for the mouse. Or you can buy frozen mice and thaw them. But don't buy a live mouse then put it in the freezer.

[gen]

Oh yeah, and welcome to the site!