New Ball Python owner. How I got my Snake to eat F/T rodents finally

I’ve owned my ball for a little over a month now. After 2 feeds with F/T rodents being denied by him. I’ve finally had success the last 2 feeds! For anyone else struggling to make the switch. With some help from some others on here plus a little technique I made up myself. What I did was pull out an appropriate sized mouse from the freezer and set it in my fridge the night before feeding. About an hour and a half before feeding time I would then take his water dish out of the tank. I would rub the mouse all over the dish and set it right next to his hide. Left him be for about 30 mins and sure enough his head pops out of his hide and stays out. Then I lay the mouse on top of the tank on a plate for about 30 mins. This really gets him going. He comes out of the hide almost all the way just looking for that scent. I then warm my mouse up with a 100 watt heat lamp. I get it to about 100 degrees F. Then I offer. The first time I did this ( which was his first F/T meal ever) he was a little hesitant but took it. This last time there was no hesitation at all. Took it instantly. I made a feeding schedule as well. So I’ve been feeding every Sunday around 8:30-10pm.

Interesting strategy. Glad it worked for you.
I don't know much but i hear ball pythons are creatures of habit. So if it works, don't change it, (or as the saying goes- if its not broke don't fix it) At least for the medium term until a pattern and habit of feeding is set in.
I would just be careful not keep the food item hot for too long so bacteria can grow faster in the heat. Just my opinion. More experienced keepers here may disagree. Listen to them over me is my advice.
But congrats, getting a ball python to feed regularly is what we all want.

I agree with the bacteria. I’ve seen tons of videos and some people on here saying they leave their prey out for hours and hours. I’m not so sure if that’s healthy or not. At least for mine it’s only out for a total of 30 mins at room temp. And then heating only takes about 10 mins or so

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Originally Posted by Bweiser18

I agree with the bacteria. I’ve seen tons of videos and some people on here saying they leave their prey out for hours and hours. I’m not so sure if that’s healthy or not. At least for mine it’s only out for a total of 30 mins at room temp. And then heating only takes about 10 mins or so

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Agreed. As long as its properly defrosted. Would anyone eat food left out for many hours after defrosted then eat it? We all know the risks. That would never be allowed in the food and catering industry.

Edit: @ Bweiser18 sorry, this was not directed at you. Moat readers are not members, so I am making a point to them for clarification. Be careful with food hygiene.

As Ascended said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, lol. :D Thawing in the fridge (slow process) OR thawing in cool water (faster way), is your choice- but either way keeps it from excessive spoilage, which is one reason some snakes refuse f/t- their owners don't realize the rodents are spoiled and that snakes can smell it before we can. Then getting your snake thinking about food by spreading the scent around...very effective. :gj:

Really good technique, most new owners don't realize the patience involved. For us 30 min. to an hour can be a long time to wait before trying to feed. For a BP it's probably like no time at all since that's pretty much all they do.

Some used mouse or rat bedding a few hours before you feed is also a great option, the only problem I've had using this technique is you gotta hope they hit the rat and not your hand they get so worked up.



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Originally Posted by Ascended

Agreed. As long as its properly defrosted. Would anyone eat food left out for many hours after defrosted then eat it? We all know the risks. That would never be allowed in the food and catering industry.

Edit: @ Bweiser18 sorry, this was not directed at you. Moat readers are not members, so I am making a point to them for clarification. Be careful with food hygiene.

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As far as snake-keepers & "food left out for many hours after defrosted..." [then being fed to snakes] we should also remember that even though many people think it's the same as thawing a steak for their own dinner, our snakes are eating it RAW, whereas cooking our own food kills lots of bacteria. I have long tried to help people to understand this- our snakes (unless maybe they're king snakes or just "unusual") mostly do NOT want to eat spoiled rodents. (only a few won't care- some king snakes are known to eat carrion) Snakes can tell when rodents are spoiled & usually refuse.