What size mouse should I be feeding this snake?

I fed them for the first time two days ago. I tried with a f/t hopper with the bigger of my snakes ( only a baby still). It struck at it instantly, but then lost interest and seemed intimidated by it. I tried a fuzzy with the smaller (pinstripe pictured below) snake and he wasn't interested, actually seemed like he was scared because he keeps balling up, while the pastel is super sociable, always comes out when someone is near the tub. I decided I would try the fuzzy on the pastel and she followed it with her head, and took it right away! I tried with the pinstripe again after defrosting another fuzzy and he seemed scared/stressed still. To make matters worse I accidently dropped the fuzzy on his head. Is he just having new snake problems or is he too intimidated by the size? This was two days ago and I'll try feeding him again tonight, any tips? I've been letting him be so he won't be stressed, I've had to go in his tub a couple times because he has this thing where he knocks his acurite over for kicks and giggles.

Pinstripe male:

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...30653c6fc6.jpg




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Best way to get a new snake to eat especially hatchlings is feed live . U can get a mouse . Regular size mouse . If u dont wanna feed live it wil take patience a bunch

I want to try with live, but I have nowhere to keep a live mouse should the snake decide not to take it.


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Ask the pet store if u can return it . If not try to find someone close by that csn use them or whatnot

If you have access to a rodent breeder I would buy a live rat pup and leave it in with your pin overnight. If he refuses, give it to your other snake. If they both refuse it, kill it and freeze it to use as a frozen thawed feeder. I suggest a rat pup because it can not harm your snake, never leave an adult mouse in with your snake. Mouse fuzzies are way too small, hopper mice at the smallest but that snake could take a small adult no problem. I would wait a solid week before feeding and I would not disturb the bin at all unless he has a blowout or something. Let him settle in. :)

Get a temp gun and once you have your feeder thawed out hit it with a hair dryer on all sides for a bit till the temp average is 95. If you go to hot it will get gross so don't overdue it. I think your trying the right size with the fuzzy.

I don't know how long you've had these snakes but the pin may not be settled into his home yet and needs a little more time. Also attempting to feed multiple times is stressing him out and being counter productive. Since he refused this meal wait 5-7 for the next feeding and keep handling to the bare minimum of maintenance until he starts eating for you. Keep us updated on your little one he/she is super cute. Hope we can get him eating soon.

Thank you all so much. I really think I'm overthinking everything. Making things more complicated than they need to be. I'm going to go ahead and wait until next week to try again. I probably stressed him and didn't give him enough time to settle. Thank you! I'll be back later next week with results :)


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Originally Posted by ItBurnsToPee

I fed them for the first time two days ago. I tried with a f/t hopper with the bigger of my snakes ( only a baby still). It struck at it instantly, but then lost interest and seemed intimidated by it. I tried a fuzzy with the smaller

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Mouse fuzzies are too small for ball pythons. Straight out of the egg they are taking mouse hoppers.

How much do your snakes weigh? From the looks of your pic, he should be getting a mouse hopper or small adult mouse, but a weight will help narrow it down.

Maybe I got rats not mice.... I was told they were mice. When I get home I'll take some pics of what I have. Also I have yet to buy a scale but I'm planning on getting one. What scales do you recommend?


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I don't think mouse fuzzies would be too small especially if you're struggling getting them to eat. It might be a good size to get her started then go up to hoppers soon after. Reptile basics has a good scale, I use it and it comes with a nice tub that even my 1200g pied fits in. The problem I ran into in the past with buying live mouse hoppers is that the Petco near me, (the only place local) never has them. I talked with the manager once and he said they send them back for fear they will not survive, so all they ever have are small mice at best.

Ok the pinstripe is trying to eat the fuzzy but he's having trouble . He had it backwards and then spit it and is attempting again!!!


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He's determined to eat it backward or side ways he keeps stopping and trying what do I do? Let him be or assist?


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Also these are the sizes I think the "hopper" is a rat:
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...3cbbbda272.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...53b3ac2e92.jpg

While I'm at it, what should this girl be eating?
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...67a6a59ffd.jpg

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My $.02, she could easily eat the first and thats where I would start, could even try giving her 2. The second does look more like a rat and looks a tad big but it could just be a trick of the camera. I'm always impressed with the sizes of the meals these guys can pound down. As for the question of helping if she's going at it trying different ways then I'd leave her alone. I've had more than one eat backwards and a few that attempted sideways then opted for the traditional approach. Sometimes if they strike and wrap but don't eat I'll leave it or try reheating it and getting a second strike. Can't say which way has been more successful its perhaps 50%.

Thank you guys. I think I've gotten everything figured out and I've been worrying about everything too much. I spent the last three days thinking about my snakes and on these forums when i should have been studying :D the pin ate his fuzzy after fighting it hard. The female and he will both eat again on Monday just to get them on the same days for convenience. I love this hobby/ my pets


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Those are both mice. The second photo looks like an adult mouse.

Just because the snake is taking it backwards or trying to go sideways don't mean it's fighting .. it's tryin to figure it out . After he takes the meal leave him alone for a while don't keep peeking n disturbing him .

My Weigh 7001dx from reptile basics is a good scale. $39

The pinstripe make weighs 41g and the pastel female is 141g. Is this the correct weights for these snakes?


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I have noticed they like to eat closer to night too

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Originally Posted by dmamber78

I have noticed they like to eat closer to night too

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I agree, it might of helped me start my new baby feeding.

I let mine settle in for 9 days until I offered him food, and offered it around 7:30-8 at night. I just had to lift the hide he was in out of the tank for him to notice there was food walking around for him.

And if you are still looking for a scale, maybe a little cheaper, I bought this one from amazon. You just need to go to the dollar store and buy a container to put on it to hold the snake in.

http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Weigh-PL...s=postal+scale

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AtomicJok3r

I agree, it might of helped me start my new baby feeding.

I let mine settle in for 9 days until I offered him food, and offered it around 7:30-8 at night. I just had to lift the hide he was in out of the tank for him to notice there was food walking around for him.

And if you are still looking for a scale, maybe a little cheaper, I bought this one from amazon. You just need to go to the dollar store and buy a container to put on it to hold the snake in.

http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Weigh-PL...s=postal+scale

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Thank you. I already got a scale.

They are eating like champs btw, the previously 41g pinstripe is now 91g and the 141g pastel is like 180g. Although that was a day after being fed (both sets of weights are a day later), but a 40g increase is good


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