Feeding

[Immy]

I'm feeding my baby python tomorrow, but I'm not sure what to give him. I see some people feeding babies pinky mice and/or 'rat pups'. He's approx. 18 inches.

Also, I want to feed him pre-killed, but If he doesn't seem to eat it, can I throw it in the freezer?

[missi182]

If you can get your hands on an F/T (frozen/thawed) rat pup, hop it gently around the opposite side of the enclosure for your snake and he may take it for you. To thaw the pup, put it in a zip lock bag and place it in a cup or warm water for about an hour, to make sure its warm enough for the snake to sense heat the head well with a blow dryer or lamp after it has thawed. Pre-killed (as in doing it yourself) is not fun and mildly inhumane so if you can avoid it that would be good. With the f/t - you can re-freeze it but don't let it sit more than an hour or so uneaten if you plan on re-freezing it.

[iCandiBallPythons]

Just an opinion its kind of pointless to pre kill prey that young. I would recomend rats instead of mice.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I see some people feeding babies pinky mice and/or 'rat pups'.

Pinky mice are way too small for any BP.

You need to feed a prey slightly smaller to equal your BP's girth size.

I would recommend you to feed whatever the breeder/store was previously feeding this way you are less likely to have a refusal.

Your priority right now is for you to get your BP to eat.

Switching whether it is to another type prey or F/T if the animal was fed live should be secondary and additionally it will be more easy to accomplish once the animal is well established.

[Dave763]

Just an opinion its kind of pointless to pre kill prey that young. I would recomend rats instead of mice.

I agree. A rat pup that is still nursing wont hurt your snake. Feed live and spare yourself with all the hassles of f/t. I feed over 30 snakes a week, from babies to my biggest 3000+ gr. girls all eat live.
I used to feed f/t when I only had a few to feed. I see no reason to pre kill the rat, a ball python is well equipped for the job.