New Ball Python question

I have tongs that I use to move the rats around, but i realize you might not have this. I suppose what you could do is get a piece of cardboard to separate the snake from the rat, and then remove the rat by the tail. I pick up ASFs this way and they can be very aggressive, I avoid bites pretty easily. It probably won't be aggressive toward you as long as it is well fed and you aren't hurting it. Once the snake has the rat in its coils, it is done for.

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I have tongs that I use to move the rats around, but i realize you might not have this. I suppose what you could do is get a piece of cardboard to separate the snake from the rat, and then remove the rat by the tail. I pick up ASFs this way and they can be very aggressive, I avoid bites pretty easily. It probably won't be aggressive toward you as long as it is well fed and you aren't hurting it. Once the snake has the rat in its coils, it is done for.

There are a few things you can try before you completely resign yourself to feeding him live rats. Personally I avoid live feeding whenever possible.

First you can try feeding him in a dark box. (I've also used a brown paper grocery bag to do this with baby snakes.) Place the thawed rat inside, then put the snake in and shut the box. Be patient; leave him in there for 15 minutes or so before checking on him.

If that doesn't work, you can try blooding the rat before you offer it to him, by making a small cut on its head or back after it's thawed.

Good luck!

I see now why he was staying in his hide so much! I got home yesterday and he was coiled up on the edge of his water dish with part of his body in the water and I noticed he looked shinier than usual so I figured he must have shed. I lifted up his warm hide, and sure enough I found this.

http://i43.tinypic.com/e9uu8k.jpg

Last night, after I turned out the lights, he was out and about. Thanks everyone for your help. Now I will have to try to feed him again. Is there any certain amount of time after shedding that you should wait to offer food?

Hi,

No you can feed them more or less straight away. :)


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