ball python first feed tips please :)

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Originally Posted by Seanjackmc

Much agreed, call it a learning curve. Do you blow dry directly above or in front of the enclosure? It's feed time tonight so ill try that and see if he comes out.

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You can just blow-dry it from the front of the enclosure, I use a tub so it could be a little different for you (depending on what you have)

Picking up some mice tomorrow to try next week's feed. Do you recommend upping the size from a fuzzy? He does look a bit underweight imo :/

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Originally Posted by hovercroft

Picking up some mice tomorrow to try next week's feed. Do you recommend upping the size from a fuzzy? He does look a bit underweight imo :/

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What does your BP weigh?

I will check tonight. I've read that they should be completely round but then others say slightly triangular. He was the thickest of the two youngsters they had. I'm still trying to get his temps right so I've been faffing with the tank all week which isn't helping his stress levels. It was too hot yesterday I'm still waiting for my thermostat in the post.

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Originally Posted by hovercroft

I will check tonight. I've read that they should be completely round but then others say slightly triangular. He was the thickest of the two youngsters they had. I'm still trying to get his temps right so I've been faffing with the tank all week which isn't helping his stress levels. It was too hot yesterday I'm still waiting for my thermostat in the post.

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In my opinion, you should sort his set-up out.. also if you haven't got a thermostat I would regularly check the temps to see if they are ok.
Once you have sorted everything out I think you should leave it a week let him settle in before you feed him.
Once you weigh him, his weight divided by either 0.10 or 0.15.. (for example: 520*0.10/0.15 = 52/78) and that is the rodents weight size you should be feeding your BP. (this only applies to hatchling and juvenile BPs under 500g)

Hopefully this makes sense I'm a bit rusty with information. :P

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Originally Posted by SRMD94

In my opinion, you should sort his set-up out.. also if you haven't got a thermostat I would regularly check the temps to see if they are ok.
Once you have sorted everything out I think you should leave it a week let him settle in before you feed him.
Once you weigh him, his weight divided by either 0.10 or 0.15.. (for example: 520*0.10/0.15 = 52/78) and that is the rodents weight size you should be feeding your BP.#

Hopefully this makes sense I'm a bit rusty with information. :P

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Just a note on that 10-15% "rule". It only applies to hatchling and juvenile BPs (under ~500g). Most adult ball pythons never need more than one small rat per week (50-80g). Anything more is just a waste of nutrients.

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

Just a note on that 10-15% "rule". It only applies to hatchling and juvenile BPs (under ~500g). Most adult ball pythons never need more than one small rat per week (50-80g). Anything more is just a waste of nutrients.

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Ar, ok.. Thanks I'm super rusty with my knowledge have been away from this site for a while but I have just updated my previous post, Thanks :)

Thanks. The "full set up" didn't include a thermostat so I'm hoping it arrives today. I've heard about that 10% before. But if he is about 4 months old which is my guess. He should definitely be having something larger than mice fuzzys? Which is what I was given

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Originally Posted by SRMD94

Ar, ok.. Thanks I'm super rusty with my knowledge have been away from this site for a while but I have just updated my previous post, Thanks :)

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No problem. Folks get used to giving advice on hatchlings and don't always think about what a gargantuan rat that would mean for a 3000g adult female! :O

Yes - He should most likely be eating larger than fuzzies. I start brand new hatchlings on RAT fuzzies, which are much larger. Just weigh him and that will allow you to determine what he should be eating. There are rodent size/age charts on www.rodentpro.com and www.micedirect.com, as well as other sites.

Much appreciated. I shall hopefully sort the setup out this evening then will leave him for a week to settle and offer him the correct size food and hope for the best. Thanks!