Best Time to Feed

Do BP's tend to eat better during the day or night? Or does it not matter?

I'm by no means an expert, but it seems like I read on here (and elsewhere) that evenings are better, as that is when they are most active. Personally I feed at night, usually between 8 and 9 and it's worked well for me.

I don't know if there is a best time, imo. I feed mine when ever. Sometimes its after work, sometimes its in the morning. Mine anyhow, I don't think it would matter when I feed. They are either going to eat or their not. My butter is a pita eater and I have tried everything with her. Doesn't seek to matter time of day, so long as its just a snack size rat crawler or pup. My current crew of youngsters, and my boas, will eat whenever I put a rat in front of their face.

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It really varies for me. When I feed F/T to my corn snakes, they usually get fed after I've had dinner and helped clean up the dinner mess. The ball pythons eat live food and I usually feed them once I get home from the feed store. The only ones who don't eat are usually the ones in shed. Otherwise, they generally eat at any time.

I feed both of my ball pythons at night. I get a better feeding response that way.

Dirty cages at night time.

I'll try night. Tomorrow will be her first week. If she doesn't eat how long should I wait till I have to feed her live? Also how long should I wait to hold her? Shes 3 months old. Temps and humidity are good.

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Originally Posted by futurebpowner

I'll try night. Tomorrow will be her first week. If she doesn't eat how long should I wait till I have to feed her live? Also how long should I wait to hold her? Shes 3 months old. Temps and humidity are good.

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Try frozen/thawed at least a few times before going to live. Hold off handling her until she's eaten 3-5 times in a row for you.

Dont hold her until shes eaten a few times with you. Dont feed her until she's settled in which may take one or two weeks. These are all general guidelines. You really shouldnt have to try live anyways.

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Thank you. I feel bad because her first few days I did touch her and picked her up once. I knew I shouldn't but I kept thinking something was gonna happen to her. She is my first BP. But I stopped because I'm afraid I've stressed her out a lot. So now I only get near the tank o check my temps, humidity, and to spray water if humidity is low.

All my snakes get fed in the evening/night. They are most active at that time, and it is easiest/convenient for me. (I work during the days.)

I feed my girls who eat every 5 days at about 3pm in the afternoon before work. ;)

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Well I tried feeding her. She stuck it and coiled around it, but once I closed the tank she let go of it. Did I scare her? When should I try again?

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Originally Posted by futurebpowner

Well I tried feeding her. She stuck it and coiled around it, but once I closed the tank she let go of it. Did I scare her? When should I try again?

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You can always re-offer it. If she lets go of it, just try leaving it there overnight. She may just be a nervous eater and want to eat in darkness. I have one who prefers me not watch her.

I tried getting her to take it, and SHE DID!!! I'm so glad she ate thanks for all the advice :). One more question all I had were pinkies. I know they are way too little for a 3 month old BP. I'm getting hoppers this weekend at Repticon. Should I wait a whole week to feed or give it 5 days?

You can feed it in a 5-day period. I feed all my young snakes (under 400g or so) every 5 days. I just moved all mine up to 7 day schedule.

How much does your BP weigh? You might can feed adult mice or rat fuzzies.

Since Ball Pythons are nocturnal in the wild I would think night would be best. But like a lot of other people here have said about their own, my snakes don't seem to care when they get fed as long as they get fed. They're little chow hounds.

Shes 3 months old. I can't tell you the weight because my scale is broken and I haven't had a chance to get a new one. I was thinking about getting her hoppers or rat pinkies. She looks small to me. Also since all I fed her was a mouse pinkie, do you think I should try feeding her another pinkie today?

I think all ball pythons are different just depends on your snake he will eat anytime for me when if its really early in the morning ..... i just have had a easy time with my ball python he will eat whenever any time ... he is not picky and eats like a champ just depends on your ball python eating habbits they can be very tricky sometimes ......

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Originally Posted by futurebpowner

Well I tried feeding her. She stuck it and coiled around it, but once I closed the tank she let go of it. Did I scare her? When should I try again?

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mine did that when i first got him i would just leave him alone with it and he will figure it out most likely he will eat it... they can be weird sometimes lol ....

My ball will eat anytime of the day. My (rescued) adult carpet seems will only eat on a blue moon with the sun up too tho so still trying to figure her out