Bandit

thats what i used to do until they started crawling outta it and wanted to be on the floor. haha they are goofy.

Glad to hear your snake is eating well for you. Looks like she is still a baby since she is eating rat pinks. When she gets older she might get a little more skittish of her surroundings and may be a little freaked out when removed from her enclosure. If it ever becomes a problem I would suggest feeding in her enclosure. You can put the prekilled rodent on a paper plate so she doesnt injest susbstrate if you are worried.

I feed about 60 BP's a week in there enclosures. Some could care less where they eat but most are very skittish and wouldnt do well if removed. If it ever becomes a problem it is definately something to consider.

In the wild BP's are most vulnerable when eating/swallowing so they like to feel secure.
In many cases the need for security is stronger than the need to eat.

The two main reasons a ball wont eat is tempreture and security.
Just something to keep in mind if you should ever experience a feeding problem.

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Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle

In many cases the need for security is stronger than the need to eat.

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I find this very interesting. :)

Do you have any scientific research to back this up or have you concluded this from your own observations?

appreciate the advice. right now she eats like a champ and havent had any problems and shes about 6 months but true, who says that there couldnt be a problem later.

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

I find this very interesting. :)

Do you have any scientific research to back this up or have you concluded this from your own observations?

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This is from my own personal experience and years of research. Ask anyone who has ever tried to get a wild caught to eat. Many will go over a year without eating. Anyone who has worked with BP's long enough will tell you an insecure snake wont eat.

It makes sense since that they can go long periods without food but can easily become someone elses dinner if not cautious. Whenever I have a problem feeder I put them in a smaller enclosure and have alot more success.
Now kingsnakes are a different story, they dont get spooked so easily like a BP.

My two eat like garbage disposals. I was underfeeding them (accidently) and now that we're back on track they're gaining almost 250g a week. xD It's really nice to see.

I used to have a feeding problems with both of my snakes--I would have to force feed, prekill, bag them, UGH. I just gave it some time and now they're amazing. I don't even prescent the room or anything. They strike as soon as they see it and eat right after. I love these guys. xD

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Originally Posted by Flicker

My two eat like garbage disposals. I was underfeeding them (accidently) and now that we're back on track they're gaining almost 250g a week. xD It's really nice to see.

I used to have a feeding problems with both of my snakes--I would have to force feed, prekill, bag them, UGH. I just gave it some time and now they're amazing. I don't even prescent the room or anything. They strike as soon as they see it and eat right after. I love these guys. xD

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250 g a week:O are you sure cuase they are only going to gain around the same weight of what you feed them, most likely less since they eliminate some of they prey (poop). a 250 gram rat is preety big so your bps must be absolutley massive., 250 a week thats 1000g a month. my 2000 g girl eats a 300 g rat every 10 days and she gains maybe 50 g a month.

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Originally Posted by Kryptonian

250 g a week:O are you sure cuase they are only going to gain around the same weight of what you feed them, most likely less since they eliminate some of they prey (poop). a 250 gram rat is preety big so your bps must be absolutley massive., 250 a week thats 1000g a month. my 2000 g girl eats a 300 g rat every 10 days and she gains maybe 50 g a month.

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well, don't forget - they poop too :)

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Originally Posted by BanditNClyde

there are many reasons:

1.they dont swallow substrate they cant digest

2.wont confuse your hand with food everytime you go to pick it up

3.Feeding on a plastic bag is cheaper and more sanitary because you dont have to worry about cleaning up their tank and redoing substrate and all you got to do is rinse down the plastic bag

4.if rats/mice poop or pee you dont have to worry about cleaning that up because itll be on the plastic bag versus in the tank

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I have one ball and one boa, my roommate has a ball and I used to have one other...we always feed in their cages...we have had well over 400 successful feeds between the 4 of them in a little over 2years and have NEVER had those problems...

but hey if that what works then...good i guess, just wait till they get bigger rats are unruly...

and when the boa gets to rabbits, i dont think i want a bunny hopping around

oh thats awesome. well i guess everyone has their own preference and as long as they are eating and are healthy thats whats really important :D