Feeding Time?

I tired to offer my new BP a F/T hopper today, but he didn't take it.
I don't think the hopper was warm enough for him, that and the belly was popped open.

I think I am going to try and coax him with some live food tomorrow, and this time in his tank instead of a seperate tub.

Is this okay?

how long have you had him? is the husbandry correct?

how did you warm up the mouse? the belly was popped open?

personally i'd keep trying f/t just because of the risk a live mouse brings.

Just curious about what risks are posed with live?
I'd suggest try what you are comfortable feeding your snake and look around this forum for help and tips on responsible live feeding. Your snake will let you know :)

Live feeding always post the risk of bites. Never leave snakes unattended when feeding live. I currently own close to 50 balls and all eat live rats. I stay with them the whole time and monitor things closely. If one gets a bad catch and the rat gets a bite in I can get him off quickly without interupting the snake. It takes time and practice to feed live responsibly. With one snake it would be no problem. Another option would be a good thump to the head of the mouse or rat just before putting it in the enclosure. This will stun the rat and allow the snake to do his thing before the rat comes back to his sences. The rat will still have enough movement while stunned to get the snakes attention for the kill.

and the great debate begins again...

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=59783

My husbandry is correct, 89-90F on the warm side 80-81F on the cool side. Humidity is at 65%

I've had him for over week now, but I moved back to school two days ago with him.

I warmed the mouse by letting it sit at room tempurature for awhile, then I put it in very hot water.

Yes the belly just popped! It was really gross. Also, the mouse smelt really bad, like you could smell it cross the room, do you think the mouse went bad from all the moving? I tried to keep it as frzed as possible.

I am planning on feeding live, so it's not really a debate. No worries, I am going to watch the whole thing with tongs in hand just incase the hopper is a biter!

with my new bp ive been feeding him pre-killed (i kill it as i throw it in the cage so its at the perfect temp). when it comes to eating he is a little on the "slow" side. he likes to examine the rat for a few min first and when he grabs the rat but constricts kinda slow (so im not taking the chance of a live one on him for a while).

Your water is too hot and that is why the stomach busted open... Try using warm water and let it sit longer... Hot water + 5mins = busted stomach.... Warm water + 10mins = nice warm meal....if he hasnt eaten for you yet I would say go with live first to get him to eat then worry about trying to switch him to FT.

So would it be safe to feed him today then?

belly pop open? on the mouse? I have never seen that, or had that happen. hmmmm I just fed my bp-George. I use a seperate container... I put the mouse in there, under the heat, for a few min, then add my bp. Leave them together in the container under the heat. within secs, George has already constricted the mouse, & is ready to eat... I actually got a picture of him eating today. It was pretty neat, I took a pic & then left him alone. He is sooo content & happy now.!!!:gj: