feeding and substrate

We just fed our new bp for the first time since we got him. We use eco earth for substrate. It got stuck to the mouse, and got in the snake's mouth. The only thing we could think of to do was grab him by the head and get in his mouth to scrape it out of there. There are still a few small pieces in the back of his mouth. What's the best thing to do in that situation, and how do we keep it from happening again?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by angel3115

We just fed our new bp for the first time since we got him. We use eco earth for substrate. It got stuck to the mouse, and got in the snake's mouth. The only thing we could think of to do was grab him by the head and get in his mouth to scrape it out of there. There are still a few small pieces in the back of his mouth. What's the best thing to do in that situation, and how do we keep it from happening again?

---

Regardless of what some people may claim, ball pythons do not eat on lace doilies in the the wild.

Therefore you don't do anything. It will not hurt him.

Grabbing him by the head and stressing him out, however....will.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by skiploder

regardless of what some people may claim, ball pythons do not eat on lace doilies in the the wild.

Therefore you don't do anything. It will not hurt him.

Grabbing him by the head and stressing him out, however....will.

---

x2

So, having eco earth in his mouth won't hurt him? He was opening his mouth and squirming around like he was trying to get it out. I was afraid he was going to choke on it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by angel3115

So, having eco earth in his mouth won't hurt him? He was opening his mouth and squirming around like he was trying to get it out. I was afraid he was going to choke on it.

---

See my first response, second sentence.

A little will not hurt. I'm sure its fine. If the substrate stuck because the prey was wet try drying the fur with a gently squeeze with a paper towel or towel to get the water off.

Okay, thanks. It seemed like there was a lot in there. The mouse was wet, so we'll try drying it next time.