Should I lift the hide before feeding my bp?

Hi! My new ball python was a great eater (f/t) at his last home, but I think he's still shy with me - he showed some interest but turned down a meal last night even when left in the cage with it for an hour, so I'm going to try again this evening and, if he doesn't take, wait until next week.

Last night, he only barely poked his head out of the hide before retreating back in. Should I be lifting the hide off him?

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Originally Posted by polychromator

Hi! My new ball python was a great eater (f/t) at his last home, but I think he's still shy with me - he showed some interest but turned down a meal last night even when left in the cage with it for an hour, so I'm going to try again this evening and, if he doesn't take, wait until next week.

Last night, he only barely poked his head out of the hide before retreating back in. Should I be lifting the hide off him?

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If he wants to eat, he'll do it without you messing with the hide. You can try, but since he didn't eat last night I wouldn't expect much different. If it were me, I would be holding off until next week and not bother him again tonight.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by polychromator

Hi! My new ball python was a great eater (f/t) at his last home, but I think he's still shy with me - he showed some interest but turned down a meal last night even when left in the cage with it for an hour, so I'm going to try again this evening and, if he doesn't take, wait until next week.

Last night, he only barely poked his head out of the hide before retreating back in. Should I be lifting the hide off him?

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4 out of my five Royals strike from their hide !!

I simply dangle the warmed up rodent in front of the hide entrance , they grab it and take it back inside the hide . If they refuse , give it a 20 second blast with a hairdryer and offer it again immediately whilst it's still warm , repeat as many times as required .


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I agree with everyone here. When they are in their hides, I usually dangle the feed in front of it and they strike from their hide. You can try this: you can warm up the mice/rat in FRONT of their cages on a heat mat. Usually, they are attracted by the scent and would come out/poke their heads out. I would let the warming mice/rat out for an hour just to tease them with the scent. When I see their heads poking out and searching, that's how I know that they are ready.

The key is to make the feed REALLY warm - not to a point where its cooked.. Usually, I use a heat lamp which defrost and warm up the rat really nicely.

A

Thank you so much for the advice, everyone! I tried him again this evening, but only because he's my first bp and I'm a worrier! He last fed a week ago, but in the mean time he's had a three day journey and only two days in his new place. I wanted to try and keep him on the schedule he's used to, but I'm not surprised he's probably more focused on feeling settled and secure in his new home first! Will try again after Christmas. :)

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Originally Posted by polychromator

Thank you so much for the advice, everyone! I tried him again this evening, but only because he's my first bp and I'm a worrier! He last fed a week ago, but in the mean time he's had a three day journey and only two days in his new place. I wanted to try and keep him on the schedule he's used to, but I'm not surprised he's probably more focused on feeling settled and secure in his new home first! Will try again after Christmas. :)

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Sounds like the sensible thing :)


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