Feeding Time

I have been reading a lot about feeding ball pythons lately. Some sources say you should feed at night, since they are nocturnal snakes, others say it doesn't matter, or fail to mention it at all. So I was just curious, when do YOU personally feed your snakes.

Also, a question about my own feeding practices...

I have been feeding 1 20-25g rat to my ~200g(not really sure because he has not pooped in a while) snake, once every 6 days. Does this seem adequate?

Edit:

Sorry, I forgot to add an option for those of you who don't feed the same time of day every time.

Feeding at night makes since because of the whole nocturnal aspect. My first bp (which I had for eight years, but sold a couple of years ago) I fed only at night, because he was kind of picky.

I fed my new juvenile bp at night to start with, but he has a great feeding response so I started feeding him on Sunday mornings. He takes f/t like a champ anytime of day.

I like feeding in the am, because then I don't have to worry about thawing a rat out on Sunday evening, because we are usually gone during the day.

Later,

George

I usually feed in the evening only because I work most mornings. My two take F/T pretty well and I don't think time of day matters unless you have a real picky one. :)

I feed my BP in the evening. He is usually awake and ready to eat at this time. I used to try feeding him in the afternoon but this did not work for my snake.

I added in an "anytime" option for you if that's okay.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

I added in an "anytime" option for you if that's okay.

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Thank you^^

I feed almost all my snakes after dark when the snakes are out and about looking for food. The only exception to this is my emerald tree boa who eats exclusively live. Since I pick up a live mouse hopper for her every two weeks it goes straight into the tank and that's usually in the evening.

Anytime for mine. I usually try to do it in the evening, but they don't seem to care when.

Any time for me but it is usually the afternoon or evening...

I always feed when the sun has started going down or just after dark!

Once I prescent it doesn't matter what time of day it is, they are all ready. I do have a female albino that will only eat with the light off but she is getting better

I usually feed in the evenings, but have fed mornings, afternoons, and nights. She doesn't seem to care at all; once she smells rodent, it's time to eat.

Ever since Tanveer has decided to eat again, after 4 1/2 months, I have started to feed him when it's dark because that is when he peeks his head out of his hide and waits for me LOL.

I typically wait until my girlie is being active, which is late evening. Haven't tried other methods because this seems to be working well for her.. During the day she takes naps and acts lazy, I don't want to ambush her with live prey during 'nap time' lol.

I usually feed during the evening but that is just because most days I have classes till 4:00 but he will eat anytime.
I feed in a separate enclosure, no risk of substrate ingestion and Aldous is just used to it, the second I put him in it he knows what is coming, gets into striking position and waits, the second the mouse hits the bottom he is all over it!

I feed in the evenings. It works for my snakes, and it fits with my work schedule.

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Originally Posted by mdjudson

Once I prescent it doesn't matter what time of day it is, they are all ready.

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Same here...

here lately it has been during the day on whatever day my off day falls on. when she is out in the light... i know she is hungry.

I had more feeding response during the night or late evening during the day. But some will take it any giving time. But overall, looks like it's easier for me at evening.

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Originally Posted by branson

I usually feed in the evenings, but have fed mornings, afternoons, and nights. She doesn't seem to care at all; once she smells rodent, it's time to eat.

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Thats the same way with Etnie, once the mouse is near his hide he goes after it.

I have tried other times but have the best luck when feeding after lights are out, which is around 9 pm. I normally put the rats in a few minutes before the lights go out. I have a few that will snatch a rat a few seconds after the lights click off.