Should I be worried?

I fed my BP for the first time last night and he took it (F/T) no problem but, he was in hunting mode for over an hour last night and now he is in his cool hide. I think that the prey item (rat pink) may not have filled him up. There was no visible lump (should there be?) My temps are fine 82-84 cool and 92-94 hot (yes, I have a t-stat) and humidity is 56%. Do you think it was just too small for him to need to use his warm hide to digest? I have seen him thermoregulate so he does use the two identical hides from time to time. If it matters I have a tub set-up (15 qt) I will probably try to give him two rat pinks next feed (in a week) since he was used to eating them from the breeder. It was his first time ever eating F/T so, I didn't want to switch his feeding up too much at once for this first time. Maybe I'm just being a worry-wort. Any input appreciated as I'm new to this.

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Originally Posted by sidhe

I fed my BP for the first time last night and he took it (F/T) no problem but, he was in hunting mode for over an hour last night and now he is in his cool hide. I think that the prey item (rat pink) may not have filled him up. There was no visible lump (should there be?) My temps are fine 82-84 cool and 92-94 hot (yes, I have a t-stat) and humidity is 56%. Do you think it was just too small for him to need to use his warm hide to digest? I have seen him thermoregulate so he does use the two identical hides from time to time. If it matters I have a tub set-up (15 qt) I will probably try to give him two rat pinks next feed (in a week) since he was used to eating them from the breeder. It was his first time ever eating F/T so, I didn't want to switch his feeding up too much at once for this first time. Maybe I'm just being a worry-wort. Any input appreciated as I'm new to this.

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give him something that will give a little lump

sidhe....you have NOTHING to be worried about. Be glad that he so readily took f/t!


It won't hurt your snake at all to wait until his next feeding. And you don't need to "make a lump" in a ball python. A smallish meal offered consistently every week will give you a healthy, thriving BP who loves to eat. I try to aim for a prey-size that is actually a wee bit smaller than my snake's girth. She pounds them eagerly each week, and is gaining weight very nicely.

I'm in agreement with Judy. You want something just a bit smaller than the girth. Some bps can be intimidated by larger prey items.

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

I'm in agreement with Judy. You want something just a bit smaller than the girth. Some bps can be intimidated by larger prey items.

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I never stated that you needed to. I have seen quite a few times something a little larger than the girth.

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

I never stated that you needed to. I have seen quite a few times something a little larger than the girth.

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Yes it's possible to get a bp to eat something the same size or a bit larger than it's girth. The biggest problem with that is that you could end up with a bp fasting for long periods. I do have one 2 bps that are easily intimidated by larger prey (and these prey items are not even close to the size of their girth). Not to mention some just won't take larger meals.

I agree with the ladies here sidhe sounds fine to me, and thats good news too, it eating a F/T.

I never understand the "go for a lump" train of thought, better to feed slightly smaller and regular than too large or risk the snake fasting as well. No dig at you intended either tmlowe I know what you mean, many people do feed as large as they can manage as well but I really think its not required with these snakes.

I aim for slightly smaller the largest girth myself and this works well for me. Sometimes I will feed 2 one week and 1 the next but my main goal is for them to be eating regular.

sounds like everything is good sidhe :gj: