First time feeding!

[jgauger]

I have had my baby boy Zeus about a week and a half and fed for the first time today. He's just about 3 months old and I gave him one f/t fuzzy mouse. Is that adequate? It was kinda a rough experience for me, and him too I'm sure. He was sitting on his tree/branch when I went to offer, so that was not a good start. He struck at it from there but didn't take it. I accidentally dropped the mouse. He came down and headed towards his warm hide. I put the mouse a few inches in front of him. He ignored it. I left it in there and walked away for a while. I came back and it's gone!!!He's still curled up in his hide....I think he ate it but I'm not sure. I'll admit...i was scared when he struck at the mouse while I was holding it (with tweezers). That's why I dropped it I guess. Did I do everything ok? I'm looking for some reassurance.

[blackcrystal22]

I have had my baby boy Zeus about a week and a half and fed for the first time today. He's just about 3 months old and I gave him one f/t fuzzy mouse. Is that adequate? It was kinda a rough experience for me, and him too I'm sure. He was sitting on his tree/branch when I went to offer, so that was not a good start. He struck at it from there but didn't take it. I accidentally dropped the mouse. He came down and headed towards his warm hide. I put the mouse a few inches in front of him. He ignored it. I left it in there and walked away for a while. I came back and it's gone!!!He's still curled up in his hide....I think he ate it but I'm not sure. I'll admit...i was scared when he struck at the mouse while I was holding it (with tweezers). That's why I dropped it I guess. Did I do everything ok? I'm looking for some reassurance.

He's probably a quiet eater. If you place a feeder animal by the entrance to his hide every week, it will probably be eaten that way.

Fuzzy mice are much too small for even hatchling ball pythons. If your getting frozen, look for a mouse or rat that's the same thickness as the thickest point on the snakes body. Give or take a little bigger or less.
Feeding something too small can be just as bad as feeding something too big.. ;]

[jgauger]

should I offer another mouse then???

[butters!]

i would try another

[jgauger]

Ok. I will. I'll keep you posted. He seems content. I bought Zeus from a breeder, but obviously went to petsmart for supplies...and food. I guess I should have looked at the size of the mice when I bought them. I figured they were too small when I fed him, but my blind trust of the petsmart employee failed me. lol.

[abhorrent]

If he's in his hide I'd probably wait until the next feeding day and up the ante then, if he's out on the prowl then there's no harm in throwing him another.

Funny you say he's striking from the branch. My room mate's buddy came up from Florida for a few days, turns out he has a BP as well. He housed it with his RTB...bad idea, I know, said Red Tail went off feed about a month after the BP came in and died from starvation. But, he also said that his HP spent a lot of time on the branch, and always hunted from it (striking from above and pulling it up to him like a GTP). Found that kinda cool.

[jgauger]

I thought it was kinda cute. He spends just about every night up there. Warm hide or near it during the day, tree at night. Its on the cool side too so I guess I dont know why. I'll post some pics of him in his tree if I get a decent camera. I only have my cell phone camera right now. It's really cute though.

[jgauger]

I put another fuzzy just in from of his hide. I covered his cage up so he'll feel secure...I'll just check back with it in a little while to see if its still there, at which point I'll refreeze it. Thanks for the help.

[SamuraiZr0]

the first feedint is always cool and sometimes frustrating.. he'll be fine and so will you lol

[butters!]

i wouldnt refreeze it.im thinking it will get eaten but if it doesnt just pitch it.

it will be gone