Discussion about feeding for the first time...

So, I am going to start this post with an anecdote first and then a question/topic.

So, Friday morning I picked up my new snake from a local Fedex office (because of my delivery time and the rising heat) and brought him home and placed him in his enclosure. I noticed that he was a little restless and not really hiding which I equated to stress of a new home/moving/etc. I was planning on waiting some time to feed him as to let him adjust. All my temps and humidity were correct, so I was just thinking it was just the move that was stressing him out. Luckily, I knew the last time he ate (a Live Rat Fuzzy on the 23rd) from the breeder but I was still planning on waiting. Instead, Saturday morning I noticed he was still cruising around and not really going into his hides. He is currently in a room with a rat, so I was wondering if the smell was bothering him. That Night, I decided to try feeding anyways, offering him a small F/T mouse. He quickly struck it and proceeded to eat it as well. He then retreated into his warm hide and has mostly been there since. No regurgitation (which is something I was worried about) yet, so I am seeing all signs pointing to good.

Now I have also seen other anecdotes saying some of the same things, (feeding before the "7 day period" that is suggested in many guides/caresheets). So my question is this: Does anyone have other similar stories with a Python feeding before the 7 days after arrival? If so, do you feel started snakes (i.e. snakes that have regularly fed with the breeder) may not need to wait the 7 days?

Just looking for a little discussion on the topic, not a true debate. I was just thinking of this today.

every one of my snakes i get, i will offer food the first day. Its just something i do to see if they will be a strong feeder and it makes me not disturb them to much as they are getting acclimated into their new home. only my black pastel did not get fed because he got fed 2 days before he arrived, but waited 3 more days to feed him and he has not turned down a meal since even while in shed. i personally don't feel you need to wait for a snake that has been a constant feeder up until you acquired him/her because some breeders feed every 5 days compared to some who feed only every 7 days. but every snake is different and some may need some more time to settle down until they will feed, but if they have been a strong feeder before that there is really nothing to worry about long as they don't lose to much weight. I personally like the 7 day feeding cycle because it works out for me with work(only off sundays and mondays).

Tom

I take each snake into account differently. Most are offered food the day of arrival, some are not.

I have recieved snakes that have fed around 5 days after arrival and some that took a bit longer. It would seem it makes sense that a "started" snake, which is what you would get in most cases because a breeder will usually sell a snake after it has fed a few times, would feed more readily but it has not always been the case in my experience. I would say it just depends on the snake....

For me out depends on when the snake last ate. If it has been a regular feeder, I feed on its typical date. If it just ate, I'll wait. It all depends if they are acting hungry or not.

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I love it when my snakes eat first day, shows me they aren't very stressed and are good eaters...

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i have just got a new baby ball she is only 3 weeks old the breeder have fed her once and i have had her for 4 days i offerd her feed the first day buy no luck i am going to offer her a nother feed in a few days.but if no luck i hope i dont have to force feed first.i dont want to stress her out.

The 7 day waiting period isn't a hard rule... but especially for people new to the hobby or particularly stubborn BP's it can make a world of difference. A healthy BP can go over a year without food so waiting a week certainly isn't going to hurt. In many cases it is probably overkill but better safe than sorry right?

Whenever I bring in a new snake, they get fed on the next scheduled feeding day. Some have had to wait about a week or so, some only had to wait a couple of days.

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out of two new snakes that i have bought in the last 2 months i fed both the next day or 2 and they ate fine