Feeding question

I have done some reading on here but I have found different answers for different senarios and not sure which applies to me. So therefore I am posting this.

I have the skinny rescued snake (brief history... she has been force fed 2 pinkies every 4 days since November. has only gained 18 grams since Nov. very very skinny 118 grams currently.) She was fed on Wednesday, a pinkie that she supposedly took herself without forcing. I bought f/t hoppers to try and see if she will eat them. How long should I wait to feed her (I brought her home Thursday night)? How often should I feed her? If she doesn't go for f/t I will try live but I will have to get my boyfriend to do it as I dont have the heart to drop a baby mouse in there although I do love my snake! Are hoppers too big for her? There are pictures of her in the picture section.

Thanks!

Ok. For some reason I can't find your pictures.

Edit.

Ok I found the pictures. Umm, she really does not look all that thin to me. Just young. But I am still new to this.

Try her on a hopper. At her size she should have no problem with it, if she'll take it. Might want to give her a week to settle before you try to feed her.

Okay first off read this.....

http://www.8ballpythons.com/journal/...ingseating.htm

Then read this.....

http://www.8ballpythons.com/journal/feedingtips.htm

Then read them again, and once more for good measure.

Might I ask who sold or gave you a non-feeder? Just so we know what you know or what you need to know - how much ball python experience do you currently have?

I would get her set up properly in a small tub with something dark over it. Get the temps right, have a nice tight hide(terra cotta or plastic 4-6" plant saucers work great), and leave her alone for a week and a half to two weeks.

Stop worrying about trying to feed her and worry about getting her to settle in and be a snake.

Even with a snake her size, she could easily go in a 6qt shoebox tub. I wouldn't dream of putting her in anything bigger or in a tank.

After the 1.5-2 weeks is over, get a live hopper mouse and pre-scent the room for 30 minutes to an hour. Make sure the room is dark and there isn't any foot traffic.

Open the tub up, drop the mouse on the opposite end of the tub as the snake(by the water bowl), close the lid, turn the light off and leave the room. Leave the snake alone for 1-2 hours without any messing with her.

If she eats, great! Leave her completely alone for another week and repeat the exact procedure.

If she doesn't eat, leave her alone for a week and repeat the exact procedure. LoL, it's all about repetition and having them on a schedule. They're like nocturnal autistic children, schedules are important or someone's gonna have a meltdown in the grocery store. ;)

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Okay first off read this.....

http://www.8ballpythons.com/journal/...ingseating.htm

Then read this.....

http://www.8ballpythons.com/journal/feedingtips.htm

Then read them again, and once more for good measure.

Might I ask who sold or gave you a non-feeder? Just so we know what you know or what you need to know - how much ball python experience do you currently have?

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i think she(?) rescued it from a chain pet store that was caring for it really poorly.

I went and measured her tub. Its 16 inches long, 11 inches wide and 5 inches tall. I am most likely wrong on how many quarts it is. It is pretty small though. I didnt plan on trying to feed her for the first week to give her time to settle in.

I got her from a petstore. She was not being well taken care of there at all. I rescued her in order to give her a better opportunity at surviving. I have one other ball python that we have had for about 2 months now but we have been caring for him for 4 months. I am new to the correct way for caring for ball pythons. The other BP is much bigger, in a great set up with correct temps and is eating no problem. Because this one is smaller and has some issues she is kept in a small tub, we are working on heating her cool side now, hot side is 94.7 when I went in to measure the tub 2 mins ago. She has two small tight hides for her and a water dish.

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

i think she(?) rescued it from a chain pet store that was caring for it really poorly.

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Yes that is true!

And yes I am a girl!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pitbulls4me

And yes I am a girl!

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never want to assume anything :) and besides being a lil skinny how is she doing?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pitbulls4me

I went and measured her tub. Its 16 inches long, 11 inches wide and 5 inches tall. I am most likely wrong on how many quarts it is. It is pretty small though. I didnt plan on trying to feed her for the first week to give her time to settle in.

I got her from a petstore. She was not being well taken care of there at all. I rescued her in order to give her a better opportunity at surviving. I have one other ball python that we have had for about 2 months now but we have been caring for him for 4 months. I am new to the correct way for caring for ball pythons. The other BP is much bigger, in a great set up with correct temps and is eating no problem. Because this one is smaller and has some issues she is kept in a small tub, we are working on heating her cool side now, hot side is 94.7 when I went in to measure the tub 2 mins ago. She has two small tight hides for her and a water dish.

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sounds like you have her set up nicely. if you can get that cool side to 80*F with a 55-60& humidity she will acclimate very well i presume. and hopefully eat accordingly.