New ball python

Hello all,
Sometime in the next few weeks I'm going to get a spider ball python. Adult and on live rats (fun fun) he was raised on them so not sure if he can be switched over. I couldn't switch over my bumble so I sold him to a person who was comfortable feeding live. She offered to sell me her male spider for 125 and has said about the wobble. I know that's normal from what I've read. But ideas? I'll try to up load a pick still trying to figure out tapatalk

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Why don't you look for one already eating f/t?
Tapatalk is easy



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Because I know the owner personally most stores around here feed live besides petsmart

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They can be switched with enough will and time. Mine was on live when I got him but learned fast about f/t.

Tapatalk is easy and works wonderful! Using it now :-)

Ok hows you manage to do that my bumble that I sold was too stubborn for me and I tried to upload a pic of the snake but it says I'm not allowed

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Bringing him home today

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by OokamiReyuu

Bringing him home today

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Awesome!! Congrats and can't wait to see pic :)
I would try a live rat in a week, if he eats then the following week I would try f/t.
Is there a reason you're so against feeding live?

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Ok his wobble was fine the whole way home. Now its to the point he's twisting funny

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Um just too many Horry stories I guess about them being bit and chewed up

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I love spiders! Congrats on the new purchase!

Some tricks I've learned about feeding F/T.
1) Zombie dance - moving the rodent around as if it was alive. More later down.
2) Make sure it is WARM but not hot enough to burn the snake
3) You can touch the snake with the rodent (to get the snakes attention) anywhere but near the head. Touching near the head can make the snake recoil and be afraid of the rodent.
4) Don't let the snake get its head too close to the rodent. This is different than YOU touching the snakes head with the rodent (item 3). If the snake is inquisitive and gets really close to the rodent (close enough to almost touch it with its tongue) sometimes they decide they aren’t interested and it’s ‘game over’.
5) Play ‘catch me if you can’ with the rodent. That is to say, when the snake comes closer to the rodent, move it away! This will peak the interest of the snake and it will investigate further. This also shows the snake there is nothing to be afraid of. Continue this until the snake actually strikes. I’ve had better luck this way than moving the rodent in one place, allowing the snake to slowing approach the rodent, only to decide it didn’t want it. If it strikes and coils, it will eat it.
6) Finally, rest your forceps/tweezers on the edge of the tub/snake container and as you move the mouse around, lightly tap the forceps/tweezers on the edge of the container. This seems to heighten the snakes interest.

These tips don’t always work, but they are what I’ve found useful.

Remember – sometimes they just don’t want to eat and want to be left alone.

Congrats on your new spider! Mine will eat anything but his wobble is severe enough during feeding that he gives up after a few missed strikes. Now I load up feeding tongs with prekilled and hold it right in front of him. He will stare at it for a minute then gently accept the food without a strike or coil. Funny little snake.

The horror stories are just that...
Irresponsible people leaving rodents in with the snake for far too long. Fed responsibly it is really not an issue many here on the forum feed live without incident.
It is your choice but don't let the stories scare you. Snakes are made for eating live prey.
Just remember IF the snake can not be switched (which it very well may) be prepared to either feed it live or rehome another one.
Congrats and enjoy each other!! :)

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There is a HUGE problem here....no pictures!!! lol

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll see if I can agree with feeding live im more worried it the snake than the prey


Sorry I'll post on the PC after I get off




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http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0b8cb94a.jpg

http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/a...psb8134f27.jpg

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Well here he is plus left a lovely surprise for me. Lol he had a bowl movement sometime today.