ugh i think the feeder is too big...

[Nicole N]

Help. My husband and I measured the snakes just now with the tape and they are both in the 16 inch area (give or take an inch, they weren't COMPLETELY straight).

We have two adult mice ready. I'd like to feed them since their last meal consisted of a crawler each and did absolutely nothing for them. I no nothing about mice age stages and whether or not they are small or full sized adults. When I look at them I am thinking the -biggest- and most wide section of the snakes is just a wee bit smaller than the width of each mouse, so I wonder if it would be poor and risky to offer the mice or if I should wait until tomorrow and handpick something smaller. Their heads definitely dont look big enough but i know the mouth stretches and jaw unhinges.. I just worry a lot about them.

[JLC]

I think they'll be fine. For first-timers, it can be quite freaky feeding a ball python an appropriately sized meal. Their heads are just so little compared to the prey item they need to eat.

[Nicole N]

Well, you were certainly right. Our male took the mouse down the moment he was aware of it huddled in the corner. I struck it KO though just to avoid chances of it defending itself. Apparently I had no worries. He gulped it down in under 5 minutes.

I'm still watching the female. She is having trouble finding the head, she's nibbling an ear and on its neck but can't seem to realize she is just a bit off target.

[JLC]

It can take them a few minutes sometimes, to find the pointy end. Try not to hover too much. A looming shadow can make them decide not to eat.

[Nicole N]

I was sitting a few feet away, I had a good view, but I did want to lean forward a few times to watch closer. I feel a bit silly now for worrying. She found the head about a minute after I posted, then it was all over. I am so proud of them. Now I know for sure they can take adult mice. Should I do 1 adult per week, or one every 2?

[JLC]

Congrats on the successful feed!


I think one mouse every seven days should be fine for a growing BP.

[Mezclado_Reps]

Congrats! The first feeding are always the most interesting and/or nerve wrecking. I have seen hundreds of feedings and I still like to watch the tail go down, lol.

[frankykeno]

Like Judy said, 1 every 7 days should do just fine for the growing babies. Sounds like they both know what to do and just have their own unique feeding styles.

[Nicole N]

Thank you! This is my first time having little snakes, the ones that got me into the hobby were full grown when I met them and well into eating rats already.

I am ultra-relieved that they both easily tackled their mice. I think I might have drove my husband up the wall last night. I saw blood and freaked then realized it was from the mouse. The lump was not all that big, and it was hard to believe all that mouse was crammed inside each little snake. I think I'll maintain a regular consistent schedule of Sunday nights as feeding time now.

[tweets_4611]

Congrats on your first feeding!!! ^_^ Someone told me once that when mice are walking around, or laying in a cage, they tend to look wider than they really are. When you pick them up they streach out a bit or something and you can see how big they really are. They always did seem too big when they were all balled up in the corner...