New BP Owner - Need Help

[55fingers]

Hi. I just got my first BP at an expo a few days ago. The only other snake I've had was a plains garter snake. I was careful not to walk in blindly, though, and have done plenty of research.

However, I do need some help and suggestions on a few things, since I'm not very experienced in ball pythons yet.

I've heard various arguments on what rodent should be fed to a ball python. The breeder who sold him to us said he was on rats, but I'd heard that mice work too, and thought they would be easier to aquire at such short notice. After I got him, I stopped by a reptile store and bought five feeder mice (the expo only sold frozen or pinky mice, and I'm not allowed to keep frozen rodents in our freezer). But now, I'm hearing that it might be best to make sure he stays on rats. I will be getting a freezer just for rodents soon.

My questions are:

Will he be too hard to get back onto frozen rats if he eats these five live mice?

What size rats should he be eating? I was told he isn't full grown, and he's about 31 inches. I tried to weigh him but I only have access to a normal scale. I put him in a bowl on it and tried to subtract the weight of the bowl from the snake, but the bowl wasn't heavy enough to register. If what it said was true, my snake is 300g-400g. It might not be accurate at all.

How often should he be fed (mice vs rats)?

If I'm feeding him mice right now, should I give him one or two?

How long do I have to wait to handle him? It's been 2-3 days since I got him, and I'll be honest, I've been handling him quite bit, but mostly to clean out his tank or weigh/ measure him.

When should I feed him? I made a mistake and didn't ask the breeder when he was last fed, when he last shed, or how old he was. And now I can't seem to get a hold of them. Would it do any harm to wait a week from when I got him?

Thank you for any help!

[bcr229]

Start here:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ius)-Caresheet

And here:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ALL-caresheets!

[hilabeans]

Hi. I just got my first BP at an expo a few days ago. The only other snake I've had was a plains garter snake. I was careful not to walk in blindly, though, and have done plenty of research.

However, I do need some help and suggestions on a few things, since I'm not very experienced in ball pythons yet.

I've heard various arguments on what rodent should be fed to a ball python. The breeder who sold him to us said he was on rats, but I'd heard that mice work too, and thought they would be easier to aquire at such short notice. After I got him, I stopped by a reptile store and bought five feeder mice (the expo only sold frozen or pinky mice, and I'm not allowed to keep frozen rodents in our freezer). But now, I'm hearing that it might be best to make sure he stays on rats. I will be getting a freezer just for rodents soon.

My questions are:

Will he be too hard to get back onto frozen rats if he eats these five live mice?

What size rats should he be eating? I was told he isn't full grown, and he's about 31 inches. I tried to weigh him but I only have access to a normal scale. I put him in a bowl on it and tried to subtract the weight of the bowl from the snake, but the bowl wasn't heavy enough to register. If what it said was true, my snake is 300g-400g. It might not be accurate at all.

How often should he be fed (mice vs rats)?

If I'm feeding him mice right now, should I give him one or two?

How long do I have to wait to handle him? It's been 2-3 days since I got him, and I'll be honest, I've been handling him quite bit, but mostly to clean out his tank or weigh/ measure him.

When should I feed him? I made a mistake and didn't ask the breeder when he was last fed, when he last shed, or how old he was. And now I can't seem to get a hold of them. Would it do any harm to wait a week from when I got him?

Thank you for any help!

Congratulations on you new addition! This feeding chart is a good general guide to go by.



There is some debate on which is more nutritional, rats or mice, but I think you'll find rats more economical in the long run as your snake gets bigger. I personally stick to rats.

He may have some difficulty going back to frozen if you feed him live a few times. I'd try to avoid that if he's already used to eating f/t and you ultimately want him on f/t.

Let him settle for at least a week before handling (starting now) and feeding. He can wait to eat, it's no problem. Then it is recommended to get 2-3 meals in him before you start handling. No handling 24 hours prior to feeding, or 48 hours after feeding, or you run the risk of regurgitation. Then keep handling sessions short (15-20 minutes tops) and positive.

Make sure your husbandry is dialed in to perfection. Review those links dr. del posted and then check against what you are set at. Husbandry is the #1 reason new snakes stress and go off food. So ensure you're all set there.

[55fingers]

Thank you! That feeding chart really helps. I might be stuck feeding him live mice a few times, but now that I think about it, if I get a freezer soon, I could see if the reptile shop might trade the mice for a frozen rat or two.

I've read the link, and I believe his setup is adequate. He is in a 30 gallon long tank (I think it's 30), and has two hides, one at the cold side and one at the hot, a water bowl, a heat lamp, a heat pad, and is on a coconut fiber based substrate, which is sure to help humidity, I'd think.

Also, is there any preference towards a digital or analog thermometer/hydronometer? Is analog accurate? I've heard various things.

[HarleyBalls]

I personally have been testing to see how accurate the cheap analog ones you get at the pet store. I have a very expensive/accurate Fluke digital meter that I have been comparing with. They seem to be within 3% and that’s good enough for me. I think Accurite has a digital temp/humidity gauge that many people like. They sell them at Walmart.

[hilabeans]

I use this digital one by Acurite:

https://smile.amazon.com/AcuRite-The...ite+hygrometer

You can find fancier, but this does the trick and so far has been very accurate. Use a temp gun to verify all temperature readings. Your setup sounds great but I didn't see you mention thermostats. ALL heating elements must be plugged into a thermostat - UTH and CHE both. If your heating is not regulated by a thermostat, unplug it now as they can easily spike too high and permanently damage your snake.

I started out using Jumpstarts while I saved for, and recently upgraded to, the Herpstat2.

https://smile.amazon.com/MTPRTC-Cont...mostat+reptile

P.S. Sorry for the AmazonSmile links...I support my local bat rescue

[55fingers]

I use this digital one by Acurite:

https://smile.amazon.com/AcuRite-The...ite+hygrometer

Just found and bought it at Wal-Mart, thanks!

Also, where is the best place to put it? In the middle? Or at the hot side?

[Ladybugzcrunch]

Do you have a thermostat? I did not see that listed in your setup skinny. If you don’t have one, unplug the heat source and get one before feeding and ASAP or you’ll be sorry.

[Craiga 01453]

Hi. I just got my first BP at an expo a few days ago. The only other snake I've had was a plains garter snake. I was careful not to walk in blindly, though, and have done plenty of research.

However, I do need some help and suggestions on a few things, since I'm not very experienced in ball pythons yet.

I've heard various arguments on what rodent should be fed to a ball python. The breeder who sold him to us said he was on rats, but I'd heard that mice work too, and thought they would be easier to aquire at such short notice. After I got him, I stopped by a reptile store and bought five feeder mice (the expo only sold frozen or pinky mice, and I'm not allowed to keep frozen rodents in our freezer). But now, I'm hearing that it might be best to make sure he stays on rats. I will be getting a freezer just for rodents soon.

My questions are:

Will he be too hard to get back onto frozen rats if he eats these five live mice?

What size rats should he be eating? I was told he isn't full grown, and he's about 31 inches. I tried to weigh him but I only have access to a normal scale. I put him in a bowl on it and tried to subtract the weight of the bowl from the snake, but the bowl wasn't heavy enough to register. If what it said was true, my snake is 300g-400g. It might not be accurate at all.

How often should he be fed (mice vs rats)?

If I'm feeding him mice right now, should I give him one or two?

How long do I have to wait to handle him? It's been 2-3 days since I got him, and I'll be honest, I've been handling him quite bit, but mostly to clean out his tank or weigh/ measure him.

When should I feed him? I made a mistake and didn't ask the breeder when he was last fed, when he last shed, or how old he was. And now I can't seem to get a hold of them. Would it do any harm to wait a week from when I got him?

Thank you for any help!

[Craiga 01453]

Hi. I just got my first BP at an expo a few days ago. The only other snake I've had was a plains garter snake. I was careful not to walk in blindly, though, and have done plenty of research.

However, I do need some help and suggestions on a few things, since I'm not very experienced in ball pythons yet.

I've heard various arguments on what rodent should be fed to a ball python. The breeder who sold him to us said he was on rats, but I'd heard that mice work too, and thought they would be easier to aquire at such short notice. After I got him, I stopped by a reptile store and bought five feeder mice (the expo only sold frozen or pinky mice, and I'm not allowed to keep frozen rodents in our freezer). But now, I'm hearing that it might be best to make sure he stays on rats. I will be getting a freezer just for rodents soon.

My questions are:

Will he be too hard to get back onto frozen rats if he eats these five live mice?

What size rats should he be eating? I was told he isn't full grown, and he's about 31 inches. I tried to weigh him but I only have access to a normal scale. I put him in a bowl on it and tried to subtract the weight of the bowl from the snake, but the bowl wasn't heavy enough to register. If what it said was true, my snake is 300g-400g. It might not be accurate at all.

How often should he be fed (mice vs rats)?

If I'm feeding him mice right now, should I give him one or two?

How long do I have to wait to handle him? It's been 2-3 days since I got him, and I'll be honest, I've been handling him quite bit, but mostly to clean out his tank or weigh/ measure him.

When should I feed him? I made a mistake and didn't ask the breeder when he was last fed, when he last shed, or how old he was. And now I can't seem to get a hold of them. Would it do any harm to wait a week from when I got him?

Thank you for any help!

Welcome to the forum!! Congrats on your first BP!!

I would definitely check out the links provided above by bcr29.

Now, to answer your questions:

- BPs can be notoriously finicky with food. For that reason, it's best to start feeding whatever the snake was eating before you brought it home. Since he was already on F/T rats you should really keep him on F/T rats. Switching him now may result in a) refusals now and b) may set him back to live or mice and he'll be tough to switch back.

- as for what size, follow the chart shared above by hilabeans...
There are also two basic rules of thumb regarding prey size for young BPs. 1) feed prey items that are 10-15% of the snake's body weight and 2) tje prey item should be about the same girth as the snake at the snake's widest part.

- BPs do well on a weekly feeding schedule while young.

- As for handling, do yourself AND YOUR SNAKE a favor and let him get settled in before doing any more handling.

You already said you've been handling him quite a bit, but only for enclosure cleanings and to weigh/measure him. You just got him a few days ago, his tank should be clean. You weighed/measured him already. Leave the poor guy alone now.

Again, BPs can be very finicky. Handling now will lead to stress. Stress leads to food refusals. It is VERY important to let the snake get acclimated and eating consistently before handling. You'll have 20+ years to handle the snake, let him acclimate now.
I highly advise new BP keepers to let their snake eat three consecutive meals without refusal before handling. I know, seems like forever, but it's what's best for the snake, which is most important.

- Lastly, as for when to feed, that's up to you, but waiting a week is fine. If I were you, I'd get my hands on a F/T small rat and offer whenever you get it. Since you can't keep frozen rodents in your freezer, you'll have to buy one at a time (expensive this way) til you get your freezer. This is another good reason to refrain from handling. It'll get expensive wasting rats if your snake is refusing due to stress.


Good luck and feel free to ask any questions you may have!!

Oh and also ARE YOUR HEAT SOURCES REGULATED BY A THERMOSTAT????