feeding question

[HQexotics]

I have a lot of knowledge on Ball pythons but I just got my first one a few days ago at Repticon Houston, He is an import from a farm in Africa an is a decent size baby. well after two days, I tried to feed him a wingling mouse, frozen thawed but he didnt take. Im hoping that he will eat frozen thawed and not only eat live since he is from Africa and has complete wild genes in him. So now im not holding him at all and letting him settle in. But my question is, my friend told me to wait another 5 days or so until I try to feed him again. Is that the right amount of time? Right now he is in a 10 gallon, aspen, hide, water dish, with a 60 watt night blue bulb. (in the progress of wiring some flexwatt for him. So it has been one day since I tried to feed him. Should I wait another 4? Thats what I think Is should do. Im just really impatient and want to feed him ahaha. Thanks for the help. I breed leos so im not used to snakes except I had a corn snake but it passed. so thanks for any help!

[ROACH]

Yes give him some time to settle in and try again in about 5 days.

[HQexotics]

Yes give him some time to settle in and try again in about 5 days.

Thanks for the simple answer friend It is really tempting to hold him though XD I absolutely LOVE ball pythons, of course, I guess everyone here does >__<

[ROACH]

Yea im bad with the holding part. I cant seem to wait myself. Luckly I havent had too many problems with mine when held. Just make sure to give him at least 24 hours to digest after feeding before holding him.

[brock lesser]

Let him settle in, feed every 5 - 7 days and have a vet test for parasites internal and external
Have to ask, why would you buy and import when they can be hard to establish?
I could see if you where trying to get new blood in your collection or the animal has some
cool traits you wanted but as your first bp, you could be in for a rough road.
Just curious and good luck by the way pictures would be nice.

[HQexotics]

Let him settle in, feed every 5 - 7 days and have a vet test for parasites internal and external
Have to ask, why would you buy and import when they can be hard to establish?
I could see if you where trying to get new blood in your collection or the animal has some
cool traits you wanted but as your first bp, you could be in for a rough road.
Just curious and good luck by the way pictures would be nice.

Thanks well, first off I want the strong genetics, and his color is UNLIKE any normal I have seen, he is almost like a orange dream morph. And I have a lot of reptile experience, and I have had a corn snake. And I will try to get some pictures

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I tried to feed him a wingling mouse, frozen thawed but he didnt take. Im hoping that he will eat frozen thawed and not only eat live since he is from Africa and has complete wild genes in him.

CBB does not guarantee that a snake will eat F/T either if that makes you feel better.

Ideally you want to offer the same type prey that was offered previously most likely live, and if the animal was not started starting on live will be much easier for you.

The goal is to have your animal eat for first before even thinking about switching to F/T once he is consistent it will be a lot easier to switch.

And remember owning a snake means being willing to feed live, because not all of them will eat F/T

[HQexotics]

CBB does not guarantee that a snake will eat F/T either if that makes you feel better.

Ideally you want to offer the same type prey that was offered previously most likely live, and if the animal was not started starting on live will be much easier for you.

The goal is to have your animal eat for first before even thinking about switching to F/T once he is consistent it will be a lot easier to switch.

And remember owning a snake means being willing to feed live, because not all of them will eat F/T

CBB? does that mean captive bred ball? and I actually would love to feed live! it would be interesting! I just dont look forward to going to the pet store a lot and paying more, plus being stuck with 10 mice in the freezer. So your saying I should feed him a live mouse for his first meal? Because I dont think he has even eaten in his life before. Just had his first shed I bet. I got wingling mice which are like hopper mice. which is about the size of his girth but im scared that its to big and he might be scared of it? I dont know, thats highly unlikely. So should I try to feed him a F/T one more time in a couple of days? and If he doesnt take, feed him a live right? Then, I can worry about converting him. Plus Iw ould have to make sure the mouse does not bite him