New Rescue

Hi! I'm new here and have a question. First a little insight into the situation as i know outside factors can influence situations like this. I just rescued a juvenile ball python, she was finally ready to come home with me yesterday after being nursed back to health by the wonderful people at my work in the pet care dept. I work in a grooming salon in a PetSmart and somebody brought her back 6 months after buying her with burns up and down her stomach and back, we are assuming it was from a heat rock... She also was about the same size as when she was bought. Somebody I know bought a bp from the same batch and hers is about 3x the size of this one (I named her Persephone), so it appears that she was fed very little, if at all, in the 6 months he had her. Oh, also, the guy was about to leave her in a cardboard box in the parking lot in 20 degree weather. I really wish I saw this guy so I could let him know what a scumbag he is! Ugh. So anyway, she was just a big scab for a little bit but she has shed a very good amount and is looking great. She's been soaking every other day and being rubbed gently to help it along. The only part of her that still needs to shed is her head, they are thinking she could be blind from all the damage. However after she was in her new (much more natural) habitat, there was almost immediate progress and small pieces started shedding from her head.

Now to my question (sorry for the long post). She has been being force fed twice a week due to zero interest in food. She is on f/t pinkies right now. I am not a beginner by any means, I have 2 red tail boas and a boatload of other animals, but have never had a ball python. From what I hear, they are much more finicky than boas when it comes to eating. I am going to try feeding her today for the first time. Any ideas as to what I can try to see if she will take the food on her own?

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Originally Posted by klv37

Now to my question (sorry for the long post). She has been being force fed twice a week due to zero interest in food. She is on f/t pinkies right now. I am not a beginner by any means, I have 2 red tail boas and a boatload of other animals, but have never had a ball python. From what I hear, they are much more finicky than boas when it comes to eating. I am going to try feeding her today for the first time. Any ideas as to what I can try to see if she will take the food on her own?

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Was she being force fed or assist fed? Force feeding is where the prey is pushed all the way to the snake's stomach, it's very stressful on the animal. Assist feeding is where the prey is placed far in the back of the snake's mouth so it can't spit it out, and the snake swallows the feeder itself.

BP's out of the egg are typically started on live mouse hoppers. Assuming she's big enough to take one that's what I'd offer.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Was she being force fed or assist fed? Force feeding is where the prey is pushed all the way to the snake's stomach, it's very stressful on the animal. Assist feeding is where the prey is placed far in the back of the snake's mouth so it can't spit it out, and the snake swallows the feeder itself.

BP's out of the egg are typically started on live mouse hoppers. Assuming she's big enough to take one that's what I'd offer.

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Ah, okay. Then assisted feeding is what they've been doing. I was contemplating seeing how shed do with live.... Thanks for your input!

Well, looks like my problems solved! She took a f/t pinkie on the first try all by herself. She is big enough to move up a mouse size now that she's eating on her own. Also, 100% of her shed is now gone, also. A lot of progress for a day and a half