Couple Quick Feeding Questions
What are some signs that your bp is still hungry, and subsequently, how do you tell the difference between searching for more food and trying to get comfortable?
What's the best size to feed F/T if your bp is between a quarter and a half-dollar size at its widest point (we don't really have a scale yet, and picked up some mice that were too small so we had to double up. Would rather not go through food twice as fast :P)
Also, how many of you feed in the viv and how many feed outside? I've heard from both ends that either one is the right way to do it, so I'm just curious (because feeding outside then moving is a bit of a pain but if it keeps my fingers from being nibbled on when I try to hold him, then I'll do it).
Re: Couple Quick Feeding Questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BCS
Feed your ball python once a week. A lot of people mistake roaming around as a hunger sign but it's not. They need to have fun too and sitting inside a hide 24/7 would make anyone crazy. If fed once a week, your ball python wont starve and will grow at a healthy and safe rate.
If your ball python is about the size of a dollar, probably a pup rat. The best thing you can do is get a string and use it to measure the widest part of your snake's girth and take that with you to the pet store and ask for something that measures that width.
You have a higher chance of getting bit by removing your snake from in enclosure into a separate feeding tub. People follow the myth that feeding the snake outside of his home is better to reduce the chance of getting bit but that is totally the opposite. Also, feeding outside the enclosure is very stressful and sooner or later your ball python may stop eating because of the stress moving him includes.
Yeah I totally get wanting to explore and stretch their legs, so to speak, but I'm more concerned with high levels of activity after eating.
Where would be the best place to get pup rats frozen, since shipping is astronomical and the nearest pet store (PetSmart) sells either fuzzies (mice) or small rats and up, nothing really in-between.
I can understand why moving him out to feed is more stressful, but I've heard lots of horror stories of people's snakes swallowing substrate when they swallow the rat. Is there a good way to avoid that or is that just part of the package?
Re: Couple Quick Feeding Questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ladyparrott
I can understand why moving him out to feed is more stressful, but I've heard lots of horror stories of people's snakes swallowing substrate when they swallow the rat. Is there a good way to avoid that or is that just part of the package?
What type of substrate do you use? For my future breeders i keep them on Kraft paper which is very durable, has a nice texture for grip, easy clean up, cheap (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o05_s00) For my show animals (non breeders) I keep them on coconut coir (compressed coconut fiber) which is bio degradable and supposed to be pet safe. I have never had a snake to get a mouthful of it as it is rather packed down even when wet.
I always feed in container or tank that they live in and never had an issue. I have one defensive striker that has always done so whether feeding or just opening her tub. Other than that if you give your snake a cue like tapping it on its side or tail before picking it up it will usually go off strike mode and be ok. That is how i do it anyway :cool:
Re: Couple Quick Feeding Questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ItsAllNew2Me!
What type of substrate do you use? For my future breeders i keep them on Kraft paper which is very durable, has a nice texture for grip, easy clean up, cheap (
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o05_s00) For my show animals (non breeders) I keep them on coconut coir (compressed coconut fiber) which is bio degradable and supposed to be pet safe. I have never had a snake to get a mouthful of it as it is rather packed down even when wet.
I always feed in container or tank that they live in and never had an issue. I have one defensive striker that has always done so whether feeding or just opening her tub. Other than that if you give your snake a cue like tapping it on its side or tail before picking it up it will usually go off strike mode and be ok. That is how i do it anyway :cool:
I use aspen right now but I'm getting ready to mix it up with Cypress just for the sake of humidity.
Thanks for the tip! :)
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Re: Couple Quick Feeding Questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ladyparrott
Yeah I totally get wanting to explore and stretch their legs, so to speak, but I'm more concerned with high levels of activity after eating.
Where would be the best place to get pup rats frozen, since shipping is astronomical and the nearest pet store (PetSmart) sells either fuzzies (mice) or small rats and up, nothing really in-between.
I can understand why moving him out to feed is more stressful, but I've heard lots of horror stories of people's snakes swallowing substrate when they swallow the rat. Is there a good way to avoid that or is that just part of the package?
I feed my young snakes 10-15% of their body weight every 5-7 days until they turn one, then I feed them roughly 10% of their body weight every 7-10 days. This approach has worked really well for me. I feed all of my snakes inside their enclosures and have never had any issues with swallowed substrate. As long as your temps and humidity are dialed in they should pass any ingested substrate, which is usually pretty minimal, especially if the prey items are dry when you serve them.
I get my frozen feeders from Big Cheese. They currently have a flat rate shipping charge of $29. Even with the shipping charge it's less expensive than buying from a retail pet store.
http://bigcheeserodents.com/
