Feeding question

My baby ball python has been eating these past two weeks. He ate last Friday and this Friday (yesterday). When I go to feed him, no matter how much or how little I dangle it or even slightly move it, he never strikes. I noticed that he seems to only eat it when I leave it there for him, and I'll notice it gone whenever I check on him. Even if he is eating, am I dangling the mouse wrong? Last night he seemed really interested in it, but kind of idled afterwards. Anything I should do or is it okay to just leave it there?

Also, after he dries, when would I be able to start handling him? I know some people recommended after two feedings, but should I wait after he has another feeding? And if I can, how often should I handle him? And for how long?

Thank you:D

The good news: he's eating. So just leave it and let him do it his way. Don't dangle too much, just enough so he knows it's there. Then leave it.

As for handling, I would say wait one more week, assuming he eats next Fri. I would give him the weekend to digest and handle him Monday.

I would start slow, maybe 2-3 times a week for about 10-15 minutes to start. Don't handle Friday since that's your feeding day.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

The good news: he's eating. So just leave it and let him do it his way. Don't dangle too much, just enough so he knows it's there. Then leave it.

As for handling, I would say wait one more week, assuming he eats next Fri. I would give him the weekend to digest and handle him Monday.

I would start slow, maybe 2-3 times a week for about 10-15 minutes to start. Don't handle Friday since that's your feeding day.

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Wonderful! Thanks for the help:)

Have you tried the hairdryer trick ??


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Have you tried the hairdryer trick ??


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Yes!:D After letting it thaw in warm to hot water for about thirty minutes, I dry it by using a hair dryer. I like the trick, and he seems to like it:snake:

Like others have said the most important thing is that he's eating. He may or may not start to strike his food at some point. I've had a few drop feeders that became strike feeders. I also have one strike feeder that I drop feed because she's crazy at feeding time.
I've handled snakes after 1 or 2 feedings but that's because I sometimes lack patience and discipline. I agree that it's best to wait until they've eaten 3 times for you. The less stress for the snake the better.

Best wishes with the new critter.

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Like others have said the most important thing is that he's eating. He may or may not start to strike his food at some point. I've had a few drop feeders that became strike feeders. I also have one strike feeder that I drop feed because she's crazy at feeding time.
I've handled snakes after 1 or 2 feedings but that's because I sometimes lack patience and discipline. I agree that it's best to wait until they've eaten 3 times for you. The less stress for the snake the better.

Best wishes with the new critter.

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That's good to know, I'll keep it in mind:)
Thank you!

Definitely agree with the others, long as he’s eating that’s what’s important. I have also had a drop feeder become a striker, I remember having the poop scared out of me. I was doing the usual leave the FT feeder in front of the hide, and boom he struck. Funny thing too, he was a finicky baby. Now he’s around 4 and almost 1600 grams. And yes gotta love the hair dryer!

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

Definitely agree with the others, long as he’s eating that’s what’s important. I have also had a drop feeder become a striker, I remember having the poop scared out of me. I was doing the usual leave the FT feeder in front of the hide, and boom he struck. Funny thing too, he was a finicky baby. Now he’s around 4 and almost 1600 grams. And yes gotta love the hair dryer!

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Lol, with him being my first bp, he'll startle the living hell of me if he ever strikes. I try to expect it, but not so much. Boy, that'll be fun XD

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Originally Posted by Traceur

Lol, with him being my first bp, he'll startle the living hell of me if he ever strikes. I try to expect it, but not so much. Boy, that'll be fun XD

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Thinking about it makes me laugh, I think of myself as someone who doesn’t scare/startle easily. And my heart just jumped out of my chest when that happened. Since I’ve been keeping again over the last five years I never remember snakes more easy to take care of then ball pythons. And to have to feed by just laying the mouse down, well my guard was also down, and boom I literally jumped. I’ve been keeping on and off for like 35 years. I have made my fair share of mistakes over the years. I fed a collection of close to 15 boas in feeder tanks (NEVER FEED OUT OF THEIR ENCLOSURE TANK TUB ETC) I was young, what can I say. Youth is wasted on the young. Don’t even get me going on hot rocks (least I was smart enough to hook up a dimmer). Anybody else remember the Tom Crutchfield sales flyer?