Feeding for the first time

[NinaCaliente]

We've had our new '07 BP for a week now. We haven't handled her at all, cage temps have been good, and we are thinking we will try to feed her tonight. I'm looking for any tips you can offer that will maximize our chances of success!

She's eaten only live mice before. We are going to try to switch her to frozen/thawed, because that's what we feed our corns and it's much more convenient. Any tips if she doesn't seem interested in the thawed mouse?

Do you typically feed your BPs in their enclosures, or do you move them to a different container? I've read differing opinions about this. I'm afraid that moving her will make her too nervous to eat, since we haven't handled her since the day we brought her home.

Also, we were told at the reptile shop that she can handle adult mice. Does that sound right for a BP hatched 7/07? I'm not sure exactly what she weighs - I ordered a scale but haven't received it yet.

Thanks for your help!

[littleindiangirl]

Yes, an adult mouse sounds fine. (of course, the ones I see are tiny lol)

If you feel more comfortable feeding her in the cage, it's a good bet she will too. Snakes don't associate us as food with regular non feeding handling. Go ahead and try in the enclosure.

For suggestions on a smooth transition, prescent the cage for a few hours before you feed her. Use dirty bedding, or thaw the mouse in a bowl on top or next to her cage.

When it's time to feed, make sure the mouses head is really warm. So she can lock onto it well. You can put it up to a bulb for 30 seconds, that usually does the trick.

Hope everything goes smoothly! Good luck

[Drew87]

what she said make sure the head is really warm so she\he will lock in on it if they dont like it try to make it dance with tongs dont be upset if it doesnt eat that happens to everyone

[NinaCaliente]

She ate! I set the thawed mouse on her cage for awhile before, and made sure to warm it against the lightbulb. She struck it right away, constricted, and ate! Now she's enjoying a nice swim in her water bowl. Thanks for the advice!