questionn??

how long should i let my baby ball python adapt to its new cage before i try to feed/hold him? i've done some research and got answers from 2 weeks down to a couple days and just wanted to know what you guys think! thanks!

My rule of thumb is to let them settle for a week before I offer food, and I let them feed three times in a row before I start to handle for any reason other than husbandry.

I always offer food first day. I know I'm in the minority there, but it has worked well for me. As far as handling, let them settle in a week, let the animal adjust and get comfortable in his/ her new home.

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Originally Posted by Slim

My rule of thumb is to let them settle for a week before I offer food, and I let them feed three times in a row before I start to handle for any reason other than husbandry.

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x2

This is what I do as well

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slim

My rule of thumb is to let them settle for a week before I offer food, and I let them feed three times in a row before I start to handle for any reason other than husbandry.

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thanks! i'm thinking im going to do this exactly

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Originally Posted by Rob

I always offer food first day. I know I'm in the minority there, but it has worked well for me.

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OP, when you have an animal shipped from a breeder, most times they have not eaten for a week prior to shipment (standard shipping protocol) and will often eat on day one. Nothing wrong with this technique :gj:

Rob, do you do the same when you bring an animal home from a show? Just wondering if the stress of being on display and such would have any impact on them wanting to eat right away.

I wait a week before offering food, and then offer something smaller than they would normally eat.

Good luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slim

Rob, do you do the same when you bring an animal home from a show? Just wondering if the stress of being on display and such would have any impact on them wanting to eat right away.

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Wrong Rob, I know...but I've had snakes eat the day they came home from a show. I don't offer everyone food first day, all depends on how they seem out of the box or after the trip home.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slim

OP, when you have an animal shipped from a breeder, most times they have not eaten for a week prior to shipment (standard shipping protocol) and will often eat on day one. Nothing wrong with this technique :gj:

Rob, do you do the same when you bring an animal home from a show? Just wondering if the stress of being on display and such would have any impact on them wanting to eat right away.

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I always assume the snake hasn't eaten when I get it shipped in, unless I'm told otherwise. I do try to see when the last time a snake ate when I buy it. But you know how big breeders can be.( Doug aka sho220 told me the exact date) The one snake I picked up at a show actually didn't eat day one and come to think of it, its the only on that didn't eat day one for me. I imagine being on display might have had something to do with it, or maybe he just got a meal........guess I'll never know.

How am I wrong?