I think I'm going to try my first live feed today

SHE ATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I had to help a little. At first the mouse ran right over her and she hissed (which she hasn't done since the day I brought her home) and struck. But then about 15 minutes went by with her randomly licking the air and searching the area right next to her (where the mouse was) and the mouse hid on the other side of the cage.

So I used a chopstick to help urge the mouse forward (after it bit me once! ow! I used to have pet rats and they didn't bite. I don't think I like mice) and it ran over near Kona. It took her a few seconds to get into position but then she struck. I was a little sad watching the mouse die (it took about 3 seconds), but then she quickly ate it. It made me nervous though, because she struck on the neck, so the mouse's mouth was free, and I thought that if it was a rat it probably would have bit her.

So now what? I know that with Ramona (takes f/t rats) I feed once a week. But the mouse is so small compared to Kona. Should I feed her again sooner? Or do people offer more than one live mouse at a time?

Thanks is advance for the help!

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Originally Posted by Dananyc

So now what? I know that with Ramona (takes f/t rats) I feed once a week. But the mouse is so small compared to Kona. Should I feed her again sooner? Or do people offer more than one live mouse at a time?

Thanks is advance for the help!

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I feed two live mice a week with my crew. Since she's an adult - two or three each week should be just fine. Wait a week, and offer her two or three next week. She'll be fine!

That is GREAT news!

Yes, an adult can easly take 2 or 3 mice in one feeding.

Congrats on getting her to take a feeding Dana! Like the others, I'm sure that this snake's been considered "picky" more due to poor husbandry than much of anything else and that takes time to get over. If you keep her enclosure stable at the recommended temps, provide tight, dark hides, a water dish and so forth and let her settle in well with minimal handling until she's eating regularily, hopefully she'll do just fine for you. If she likes mice and is used to eating them, at this point she's a mouse eater most likely as they are very prey specific and she's a very mature snake. As was suggested just try over time adding in another mouse or two each feeding. Just don't leave her with them overnight or whatever, if she's hungry she'll hit them like a freight train. :)

having a "pet mouse" has happened to me a few times

i have had anubis for a month and a 1/2 i'll buy mice for her and my little one ,loki
when anubis wouldnt eat i set the mice up in a tank
i would try feeding her in the middle of the week again and if she didnt eat loki would
so it might just be you'll have them for a week
for me its easier to keep the mouse for a week than to defrost freeze throw away etc
good luck
cat

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So I used a chopstick to help urge the mouse forward (after it bit me once! ow! I used to have pet rats and they didn't bite. I don't think I like mice) and it ran over near Kona. It took her a few seconds to get into position but then she struck.

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Interfering with ball pythons when they are feeding is a common thing with beginners, and often of cause of shutting down their feeding response. BE PATIENT! I know it can be interesting to watch, but there's no reason for you to interfere to get the snake to strike faster. When the time is right, they'll strike!

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So now what? I know that with Ramona (takes f/t rats) I feed once a week. But the mouse is so small compared to Kona. Should I feed her again sooner? Or do people offer more than one live mouse at a time?

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Feeding multiple items involves the same process as feeding one item, just repeated over and over. Wait until the snake has the rodent completely down and begins to move around, then repeat the whole process again for the second item.

if you dont' want to feed her mice, maybe you can try live small rats

i feed live, but i'm not even close to starting breeding mice, i probably will eventually when my collection grows.

spending six bucks a week, to me, is alot easier than breeding mice, plus dealing with the smell :)

I don't mind finding mice or rats---whatever she'll eat is fine by me. But a few mice every week would be more expensive than a ft rat-----do most people who live feeding keep a feeder colony? My husband is less-than-jazzed about that idea, but maybe I could keep them in my classroom or something. I guess I may have to investigate how to set that up (although I did breed hairless rats back when I first started teaching, so mice can't be much harder). Any advice?

dana,

next time you feed, try removing everything except her hides before you put the mouse into her enclosure. this way the mouse doesn't have anywhere to hide.

your snake will make a better kill if left to do it on her own and you getting in there trying to get the mouse over to her just upsets and frightens the mouse, which makes the chance of injury to your snake greater.

the mouse was IMO over in the corner calming down. that's why your snake wasn't going after it right away... knowing a calm mouse is easier to handle ;)

there are many threads in the feeder section on breeding mice and ratties... i'm sure you'll find helpful info there.

and... congrats on her eating!

aleesha