First ball python! Could use some guidance.

Feeding in another container will not make your snake aggressive. Once you get a larger collection it would really become a hassle to do. You are right that many people do it but it is not based on good advise.

It can cause more stress and increases the chance of getting bit by your snake by moving it in feed mode. I feed all of mine in their home and none of them have become aggressive.

You will not find anybody on here with snake know how telling you to feed in a separate container.


You should be able to get your uth right in a few hours. As long as you don't disturb your snake to much getting the tstat hooked up feeding today is fine but you may want to wait a day to improve your chances since it is a new snake and you do not know its feeding behavior yet.

Oh ok, thanks! I'll feed her in her enclosure then. Luckily the UTH is already hooked up to the tank. I just have to attach the probe (which is going to be on the outside of the tank between the bottom of the tank and the UTH) and that shouldn't really disturb her. What will disturb her though is lessening the amount of substrate (I put way too much in) so that it heats properly. So I will wait until tomorrow to feed to be on the safe side.

Thank you so much!

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Originally Posted by TheBallPython

I just heard that giving them another feeding place can help prevent them from being aggressive in the tank. I know a ton of BP owners do it?

And no, I don't have my lamp on a dimmer. I didn't even know you could. I'll have to get one today. I am confused though.. first you say put the lamp on the hot side, but then talk about using the dimmer on the cool side? And it is my assumption that the UTH goes on the warm side, correct?

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I love my dimmer for my lamp. It is hot here so I leave it off during the day, but due to running a fan and a cooler at night, temp dips so I turn it on low then. By the 'low side' I meant keep the dimmer on low so your ambient temp gradually increases. Sorry about that, I was getting rdy for work while posting. As for feeding, KMG knows better than I do but even I have never considered feeding mine in a diff enclosure. Being as I don't make a habit of running around smelling like eau de mousy, I'm pretty certain they aren't going to mistake my finger for a snack.

I may get flamed here for my noobishness, but I always feed my BP in her "feeding box."

As soon as I put her in she coils up hard and is ready to strike. Drop the mouse in and BAM! She's on it. I give her about 10 mins to set the mouse back a ways then gently place her back in her enclosure. She never shows signs of stress. I give her a solid 24hrs before handling again. She seems to like the routine.

Btw, she is a :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r: cat in her enclosure, and a total predator in her feeding box.

Maybe that's just how my girl is...?

lol...did the censor trip for saying the word :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:? It also is another word for a kitten...:rolleyes:

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lol...did the censor trip for saying the word :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:? It also is another word for a kitten...:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Anya

lol...did the censor trip for saying the word :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:? It also is another word for a kitten...:rolleyes:

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lol...did the censor trip for saying the word :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:? It also is another word for a kitten...:rolleyes:

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Lmao! Lol, didn't even notice I tripped it haha! Or knew one existed! Over on my car forum you can literally say whatever, and the mods usually have the dirtiest mouths, or, er, keyboards lol.

CHANGE THE BEDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU CAN USE ASPEN SHAVINGS COCO-FIBER
if she won't accept food try force feeding but as last resort!

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Originally Posted by Anya

lol...did the censor trip for saying the word :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:? It also is another word for a kitten...:rolleyes:
:

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Yes it did, but context is everything. I've tripped the censors many times before talking about my sons pet cockatiel bird. We don't give infractions for those although one time I did get a warning (which was immediately reversed) while discussing a friends female dog. ;)

She eats frozen/thawed like a champ!!! :love:

Hopefully my technique isn't too bad. >< First time ever feeding! Also ignore my brother and sister rambling about animal crossing. They are hopelessly addicted, lol. (Btw, I'm not a child in case you are wondering. I'm 24 living at home getting through college).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LYsdKVKT9Q

And a picture I took at a distance (to not stress her out):
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y11...ps2f9b18ed.jpg

Just thought I'd share my success since you have all been so helpful! :)

Ok, question. Ever since she ate the rat yesterday, she has been curled up in the hide at the cool side of the tank. Shouldn't she be at the warm side to digest properly? :confusd:

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Originally Posted by TheBallPython

Ok, question. Ever since she ate the rat yesterday, she has been curled up in the hide at the cool side of the tank. Shouldn't she be at the warm side to digest properly? :confusd:

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She knows where she needs to be, don't worry. One comment on your feeding style, though - I scruff the rat with the tongs rather than holding the tail. It's rather unpleasant to be left holding the tail sheath if it comes off when she grabs it. :(

Oh god, I can't imagine! :puke: Would rather not have that happen, lol. Thank you for the advice! :)

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

She knows where she needs to be, don't worry. One comment on your feeding style, though - I scruff the rat with the tongs rather than holding the tail. It's rather unpleasant to be left holding the tail sheath if it comes off when she grabs it. :(

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X2
Not that mine will take F/t anyway. :/

What do you mean by scruff the rat?

btw this thread has been quite amusing and informative...

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Originally Posted by Blitzjg

What do you mean by scruff the rat?

btw this thread has been quite amusing and informative...

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The excess skin around the neck. The scruff of the rat.

Oh makes sense, just never heard it used as a verb before.

I hold by the tail and when my snakes hit it hard and fast when I'm not ready I end up with a tail in my hand. I just toss it out. I wouldn't say it is gross and I don't think my snakes ever notice.

I tried holding by the scruff but I didn't like the chance of my snakes striking the tongs.

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Originally Posted by KMG

I hold by the tail and when my snakes hit it hard and fast when I'm not ready I end up with a tail in my hand. I just toss it out. I wouldn't say it is gross and I don't think my snakes ever notice.

I tried holding by the scruff but I didn't like the chance of my snakes striking the tongs.

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Ewwwww I'd say that's gross. Although I also think it's gross when I have little rat pup feet broken off in my sandwich bag :) Lol I've never lost a tail that way, but I'll take your word for it.