My First Feeding QUESTION

[giltyler]

Hi

i have a new Ball Python Juvenile that weighs 104 Grams and tonight ate fit the first time in my care.
Due to convince and continuity I stopped at The Store and got a 6 pack 45 grams net of small mice.
this is one size up from what the snake was eating at the store (fuzzies x2 per feeding)

The mouse was thawed and gently dried and warmed with a hair dryer and the snake took it with no hesitation and I need to know If I should offer a second tonight?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

At his size your snake can take a small adult (between 13 and 18 grams each) if the prey you are feeding are 45 grams for 6 you are feeding hoppers which are fed out of the egg and are twice smaller.

While some BP will take multiple many will not so a single properly sized meal is always your best bet.

[giltyler]

I just offered the 2nd and it was taken without hesitation so I will watch to see that it is eaten in a bit.
these are about 7 gram small mice and I have talked to a local rodent supplier and will be buying my feed from them soon
Big Cheese is the place.
only hitch is they only sell by quantity of 25 so there may be some that are wasted due to increased feeding size requirements

I am using a separate Tub to feed in so how soon can I move back to the main heated tub

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I am using a separate Tub to feed in so how soon can I move back to the main heated tub

You need to start feeding in the enclosure, not only moving a snake when feeding is stressful both before and after but it will also get you bit.

Snakes are in feed mod hours before and after being fed and you are taking a risk every time you are moving this animal, a practice that is completely unnecessary.

[Craiga 01453]

Feed inside the enclosure. There are absolutely zero benefits of using a feeding tub.

Feeding in a separate tub
A) increases chances of a refusal due to stressing the snake prior to feeding
B) increases the chance of the snake regurgitating it's meal due to being moved and stressed after eating
C) increases the chance of you getting tagged, since the snake is still in feed mode when you try to move it back

The "food aggression" thing is a myth, proven false over years with thousands of animals.
I have NEVER been tagged inside any of my snake's enclosures. Never even struck at. I HAVE been tagged outside the enclosure.

If you're concerned with substrate impaction:
a) nobody cleans their food in the wild
b) if you're still concerned, lay a paper plate or cardboard down (not paper towel) even though the snake will likely drag the prey wherever it wants.

[Zincubus]

Feed inside the enclosure. There are absolutely zero benefits of using a feeding tub.

Feeding in a separate tub
A) increases chances of a refusal due to stressing the snake prior to feeding
B) increases the chance of the snake regurgitating it's meal due to being moved and stressed after eating
C) increases the chance of you getting tagged, since the snake is still in feed mode when you try to move it back

The "food aggression" thing is a myth, proven false over years with thousands of animals.
I have NEVER been tagged inside any of my snake's enclosures. Never even struck at. I HAVE been tagged outside the enclosure.

If you're concerned with substrate impaction:
a) nobody cleans their food in the wild
b) if you're still concerned, lay a paper plate or cardboard down (not paper towel) even though the snake will likely drag the prey wherever it wants.

^ THIS^

Plus the hairdryer trick


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[giltyler]

Thanks for the information on the feed tub being a bad idea.
i would rather feed right in the enclosure and will moving forward.
The fact that we had a successful feeding was a big relief for me since it was my first time.

I want to transition to Rats and can get fuzzies 10-19 gram average from
Big Cheese Rodent Factory $25 for 25 rats will these be sufficient for a single feed.

[ryu80]

I would suggest that you feed it a few times on frozen thawed mice to make sure the snake is feeding regularly before trying to switch food/prey type. Sometimes it can be hard to switch them to rats and at around 104 grams they do not have much fat reserve to be miss too many feedings. Just my opinion.

[Zincubus]

And remember the hairdryer trick ... once it's feeding it boosts your confidence..


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[Skyrivers]

Feed inside the enclosure. There are absolutely zero benefits of using a feeding tub.

Feeding in a separate tub
A) increases chances of a refusal due to stressing the snake prior to feeding
B) increases the chance of the snake regurgitating it's meal due to being moved and stressed after eating
C) increases the chance of you getting tagged, since the snake is still in feed mode when you try to move it back

The "food aggression" thing is a myth, proven false over years with thousands of animals.
I have NEVER been tagged inside any of my snake's enclosures. Never even struck at. I HAVE been tagged outside the enclosure.

If you're concerned with substrate impaction:
a) nobody cleans their food in the wild
b) if you're still concerned, lay a paper plate or cardboard down (not paper towel) even though the snake will likely drag the prey wherever it wants.

Everything said her is great. I even feed my retics in their enclosures. Never been bit by them (so far). No aggression. I have 5 species and all eat in enclosure. Tree boas don't count because they are nippy babies. LOL.