Wounded!

Try to leave her in her home were she is most comfy...we also used to feed outside of there cages/tubs but switched and find it works very well...dont be afraid of her biting your hand everytime you reach in..as long as your in there often for cleanings, holding etc. she should be fine....also you said you take this time to clean her cage etc. make sure to keep an eye on the whole feeding process...until the rat/mouse is dead obviously just to make sure nothing like this goes any further then a simple bite when your not looking....Good Luck and keep us posted!

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Originally Posted by TheAudOne

Try to leave her in her home were she is most comfy...we also used to feed outside of there cages/tubs but switched and find it works very well...dont be afraid of her biting your hand everytime you reach in..as long as your in there often for cleanings, holding etc. she should be fine....also you said you take this time to clean her cage etc. make sure to keep an eye on the whole feeding process...until the rat/mouse is dead obviously just to make sure nothing like this goes any further then a simple bite when your not looking....Good Luck and keep us posted!

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Wow we have taught you well young grasshopper :8: :P :cool:

The hides also act as a shelter for the ball python so that the rodent doesn't see it until it's flying toward it, mouth open wide. :P

If you could be attacked by a mouse (and you were a BP LOL), would you want a place to hide until you're ready, or do you want to be out in the open where it can get you?

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Originally Posted by TheAudOne

Try to leave her in her home were she is most comfy...we also used to feed outside of there cages/tubs but switched and find it works very well...dont be afraid of her biting your hand everytime you reach in..as long as your in there often for cleanings, holding etc. she should be fine....also you said you take this time to clean her cage etc. make sure to keep an eye on the whole feeding process...until the rat/mouse is dead obviously just to make sure nothing like this goes any further then a simple bite when your not looking....Good Luck and keep us posted!

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Thanks, actually i have an 11 year old assistant who doesn't even blink while she is feeding :D . I stay till she has the head down then take care of her viv. After tonight's episode this will probally change.
As of now she has her head poking out of her hid.. not usual for her. I dont wont to bother her yet, i will give her overnight then check her out again. My poor poor baby. :(

A BP's hide simulates a rodent burrow in the wild. They wait in the burrow until the innocent rodent decides to take a break, from gathering grains, and as soon as the rodent enters it doesn't know what hit him.:eek:

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Originally Posted by SnakeySnakeSnake

I keep a pen handy at all times. If the snake doesnt immobilize the rat, I let the rat chew on the pen/bite down on it.

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Ok how does this trick work with hides, say if for some reason the snake easts the prey in it's hide?? Also how do you observe feeding if they are in hides?? And one more: If hides are available, how often does/would it happen that the snake eats prey in hide?? I feel like a sponge right now, thanks everyone for all of your advise/expertise. :rockon:

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Originally Posted by luluizzi

Ok how does this trick work with hides, say if for some reason the snake easts the prey in it's hide?? Also how do you observe feeding if they are in hides?? And one more: If hides are available, how often does/would it happen that the snake eats prey in hide?? I feel like a sponge right now, thanks everyone for all of your advise/expertise.

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By lifting the hide while the snake is constricting its prey, you will not disturb your BP because any movement is interpreted as the prey's struggle. By moving the hide to the side you will be able to watch over your BP. They will eat on the same schedule when in their cages and hides and they may have a stronger feeding response from in their hides. :D

I feed 500+ ball pythons a week live ... leave the hides in ... pre-scent the room for 15 - 25 minutes ... put the rodent into the enclosure as far away from the snake as possible ... let the snake do what it is designed to do and get r done ... never had a single bite, scratch, or mauling and I've been doing it like this for 10+ years! :sweeet:

-adam

You'll notice your ball python using the hides as a hunting aide. Some will strike from the hide, some will use it as cover and strike from around it as the rodent approaches, others climb up on the hide and strike downward as the rodent wanders by. Follow Adam's instructions and you and your snake will do fine.

Good info everyone:) I was wondering the same thing the other day when I was feeding, the mouse went in my BP's hide but my BP was out - so then my BP tried to reach his head in quickly and grab it and missed!!! Then my BP sat there patiently waiting for the mouse to come back out and then he got it. But I did remove the hide to watch after he striked to make sure all went well. So yea I did not mentally scar him for life!:rockon: