Feeding Questions

[ziggy7]

Going to be feeding my new ball python for the first time this weekend....got some questions:
1. Live/Prekilled or Frozen? I believe the store that we purchased it from gave it live but told us to use frozen....my boyfriend would prefer live but is concerned about the snake's safety. What do you guys recommend?

2. We are planning on moving the snake to a box, etc. when feeding it.....what do you use?

3. And if we do use live...how long do you leave the mouse in there before removing and trying feeding at another time if the snake doesn't eat?

Any helpful hints would be GREAT!!!!!!!

[tigerlily]

Here's what I'd do....

First off, I would wait until you have your temps stable for at least a week. (Maybe hold off until next week?)

Since the snake has been fed live, I would offer the same thing for the first 2-3 feedings. If you wanted to make the switch to f/t, I would do it after a couple successful feeds. I feed in the tank/tub. Tried the out of tank thing, with miserable results. (and no I haven't been tagged yet)

If you do feed live, there are a couple things I would do first. I would make sure the mouse has had a good last meal. (I'm weird, I know. Just want to make sure it's not starved going into the tank) I would leave the mouse in the room with the snake for about 30 minutes. Do not remove anything from the tank. Gently put the mouse in, on the opposite side of the tank. Watch and wait. If after 5-10 minutes, the snake has no interest then remove him. I've not had a mouse last more than 2 minutes, but I've only fed live 3 times. F/T works great for me, but it's up to you to figure out what will work best for your snake and you.

Hope that helps some.

[new2BP]

when i got my bp it had also been feeding on live. But i switched to frozen thawed and i feed in its cage. no need to remove from cage. just adds extra stress on snake after feeding.

[_BoidFinatic_]

If any snake is raised being fed on a live diet, than the chances that they will make a mistake(have an accident) is very low. They seem to be more content with their environment and have many other pyscological benefits. I tell people that if a snake was raised with pre-killed or f/t and then given live,even once, then the risk is higher of making a mistake in the process of killing it. I am always there to watch it happen, because the most careless thing someone can do is leave a live prey item in with the snake for any amount of time and not watch, unless you have a problem feeder. you can tell right away by the snake's first response,if it is interested in the prey or not, and if not, you remove it quickly. that is all there is to it. under these circumstances, none of my snakes have ever gotten a bite/scratch/cut, etc. For me, live feeding has never been a problem or concern.I always do feed in their cages, as they recognized the smells of their environemtent and will be comfortable hunting in their own cages. Try to be there when you feed, just in case a large piece of lets say mulch,bark gets caught on the mouse, you want to pull it off if you can, to avoid compaction.