New BP owner here!!

Thanks to Adam's guidance and coaching, as a new BP owner, I am feeding live and feel confident that Kashmire is safe during the process. I never EVER walk away, and if he hasn't shown an interest in 30-45 minutes, I simply remove the mouse and offer again the next week. I also feed in the enclosure (on no, another can or worms! LOL) at his guidance and suggestion as well, so Kash doesn't have to be handled afterwards and can comfortably decide which hide he wants to nap in for two days (he usually moves back and forth thermo-regulating) during those two days.

Well, we got through the second feeding and it went excellently again. I think I may have stumbled into a strategy that seems to work for both of us. I have noticed that Shahrazad is pretty much dead to the world from about 3 in the morning until 10 at night. So, I thought that maybe the best way to introduce the prey to him is when he is asleep in one of his hides. It seems to allow the mouse to settle a bit and it allows Shahrazad to use his natural hunting instincts by first sensing the prey and then searching and then striking. I didn't see the prey item recognizing his presence either time which only enhances my boy's chances of striking first and avoiding injury.

I also am feeding him in his environment, but I am being careful in how I deal with opening his cage. When I want to take him out to play with him, I wait until I see him wanting to get out and I always approach the cage saying how cute he is and doing it in a very maternal tone, and then when I am pretty sure that he does not see me as a food item, then I open his cage and gently run my finger down his spice, which seems to be very relaxing to him. And then I pick him up.

When feeding, it is just the opposite. I make sure he is dead asleep and then very quietly put the mouse in his cage by unstapling the bag the pet store put the mouse in and then without ever touching the mouse, I turn the bag over and empty the mouse in the cage and then quietly replace the lid and lock it and then I watch quietly to make sure that the mouse does not attack my boy. But honestly, I don't think the mouse knew shahrazad was there either time. In fact, this latest guy looked like he was burrowing a bed for himself when he was taken. That seems more humane to the mouse as well.

I like this method, because I doubt that he connected me to the food either time. Still early in the game, but I like where it is going. And he seems to have a good appetite, so I guess he is comfortable with me, which is very satisfying.

I really feel that I made the right decision in getting a ball. And this particular guy I have to say is the gentlest, most timid animal I have ever been around. I am absolutely enchanted by him and his infant-like curiosity about life.

Rachel

We've always fed in our snake's enclosures as well. I believe though that every owner has to feed in the manner they feel is best for their snake and their own comfort level.

That being said, we too have a "routine" with our snakes that is quite different on feeding day as compared to any other normal handling time. The snakes seem to recognize this routine somewhat and react appropriately, allowing us to handle them with ease. Feeding day we don't do any "fun" handling, they are more focused on their bellies and when the tub opens that night it's all about getting busy with the prey LOL.

I adore ball pythons. So far, we've had wonderful experiences with them and look forward to the coming years of expanding our collection and hopefully watching their babies hatch out. I can't truely think of a more perfect pet/hobby creature. Relatively easy to keep, reasonably passive in nature, absolutely lovely to watch and handle.


~~Jo~~

I actually feed most of my snakes in their enclosure. But that is only since I changed to newspaper. I had a couple close calls with large pieces of substrate and its just not feasible once you have more than a few snakes to take each one out to feed. Now just the Brazilian Rainbow Boa comes out to feed since he is on cypress.

We use aspen and just pop in a pad of newspaper over an area of the substrate and feed there. Works like a charm - cuts down on any worry about ingestion and keeps the substrate clean in case of leakage from the prey. We put it in well before bringing in the prey and leave it till the snake has settled back down and gone off back to it's hide.

Course I wouldn't want to be the newspaper boy once our snakes figure out newspaper=dinner time LOL (j/k of course)

~~Jo~~

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by frankykeno

We use aspen and just pop in a pad of newspaper over an area of the substrate and feed there. Works like a charm - cuts down on any worry about ingestion and keeps the substrate clean in case of leakage from the prey. We put it in well before bringing in the prey and leave it till the snake has settled back down and gone off back to it's hide.

Course I wouldn't want to be the newspaper boy once our snakes figure out newspaper=dinner time LOL (j/k of course)


~~Jo~~


~~Jo~~

---

I tried that in the past but the BRB drags the prey all over the cage, never stays in one place.

LOL so far ours have stayed pretty much on the newspaper....the wee piggies are too busy snarfing down dinner to move much I think. It won't completely stop any ingestion but it's small shred aspen so I doubt highly a tiny bit on a dead rat's butt will do much harm.


~~Jo~~

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by frankykeno

LOL so far ours have stayed pretty much on the newspaper....the wee piggies are too busy snarfing down dinner to move much I think. It won't completely stop any ingestion but it's small shred aspen so I doubt highly a tiny bit on a dead rat's butt will do much harm.


~~Jo~~

---

I agree. My BRB is a rescue with past health problems so I am extremely careful with him, probably more than what is necessary.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by frankykeno

I doubt highly a tiny bit on a dead rat's butt will do much harm.


~~Jo~~

---

I bet your right. If a ball python can digest bones, fur, etc
So alitte fiber won't hurt