New member/BP owner

[.357Python]

Hey guys, just thought I'd introduce myself and my new python Twilight. She's a month old. Had a question about feeding her. I just got her today, and put her in her new home. The guy I bought her from said she could already be fed. I've heard people say it's best to leave them alone in a new home for at least a week. So should I go ahead and handle her to pull her out and feed her or should I wait a week before I feed her?

[STORMS]

I'd let her get settled in and acclimated to her new home for a week.

And

[PythonWallace]

Welcome. How old is she. I personally offer food right away. If they don't take it right away I wait a week, but if they do it's usually a good indication that you got a snake that should be a monstrous feeder. If she is just out of the egg I might wait though.

[Myenia]

I am by no way as experienced as I assume others on this forum are, but I got my ball python on Sunday and when I fed it on Monday, she struck before the mouse was out of the hot water. If it'll eat, thats great. If not, leave her alone for a few days. If its time to eat and it wont, its because its not comfortable.

[m0esgirl]

So should I go ahead and handle her to pull her out and feed her or should I wait a week before I feed her?

when you say 'pull her out and feed her' do you mean putting her in a different place to eat? i personally dont do that, and im by NO means a pro, but i used to think that i had to feed my first bp in something other than their home or they would end up getting nippy. COMPLETE myth. some ppl do it for other reasons, but im just lettin ya know you dont HAVE to do it unless you want to. it doesnt harm the bp to eat in their homes, and ive actually found out that some of my pickier eaters are more comfy if they're in their hide and their meal comes sniffing around or does a zombie dance in front of the entrance. just a tidbit for thought. and WELCOME you will learn a lot of great things from this website! i know i have. these ppl rock. \


ps i know i went overboard on the smilies..cant help it haha

[rrupp1179]

As far as feeding the same day...I am not sure about that one. I personally waited a full week even though she was due for a feed three days after we got her. I really didn't want to stress her out because she was showing some small signs of stress (pacing in her tank, pushing on the glass and screen). I just wanted to have her all settled in . AND the feed was so easy when I finally did.

As far as feeding in the same enclosure...I prescented first. I placed the thawed mouse with some dirty bedding in a bowl on top of her tank. This got her in "hunt mode". When it was time to drop the mouse in. She fed almost instantly. I think that prescenting is good because it lets my BP know when it is time to feed and when it is time for me to handle and maintain tank. There will always be a scent of mouse prior to feeding if that makes any sense.

GOOD LUCK!!! Everybody in this forum are great sounding boards and will try to help with whatever you need

My new BP and I have come a long way thanks to all the ppl here