How long should I wait before feeding my new friend?

I just got an adorable Fire Ball Python and I was told by the place I got him to wait until he is comfortable in his new environment before trying to feed him, so my question is, how long should I wait? A few days, a week? I am new at this so please be forgiving on my ignorance on Balls lol... :bow:

at least one week. Try not to handle him during that time, or change anything except the water in his tank. The water should be changed daily. Keep stress to a minimum. Try to keep movement outside of his cage to a minimum. Feed small for the first meal.

David

Give it 7-10 days to settle in. During this time I personally would limit the contact to the bare minimum and would keep the water fresh but I not change it daily.


From the caresheet.
"It is recommended the water be replaced (not just “topped off”) and the dish cleaned while doing so every few days at a minimum. Bottled water or special additives are not necessary."

KMG solid advice, wait 7 to 10 days on feeding. Limit contact. Change water every 2 to 3 days.

Rule of thumb is a week to settle in. That said, I've had some get shipped in and unboxed in the morning, and then I noted them begging/hunting that evening when thawing feeders so I went ahead and offered a rat. Quite a few took it.

^^^^^^^^

Rule of thumb is 1 week but my little pied girl ate after 2 days and has been going strong ever since then. You can try earlier but if you don't have anything else that can eat it if your snake refuses it, then it will be a waste. I change water every other day for both my girls.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sauzo

You can try earlier but if you don't have anything else that can eat it if your snake refuses it, then it will be a waste.

---

New snakes should be in QT, so you likely wouldn't be re-using those feeders anyway.

Ah very true. Forgot it was new. Was thinking it was off feed for some reason :confusd: So yeah let me rephrase it, you can try in a couple days if your snake looks settled in but if it doesn't eat it, then you are gonna end up throwing it out if its a F/T. If its a live one, then throw it in a cage with some water and food and try again in a week.

All good advice, thanks everyone!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

Rule of thumb is a week to settle in. That said, I've had some get shipped in and unboxed in the morning, and then I noted them begging/hunting that evening when thawing feeders so I went ahead and offered a rat. Quite a few took it.

---

I normally will wait a week too but I've also fed some that day or the next because they genuinely looked interested in what I was offering and didn't hesitate to eat.

Just got a new Ghost Desert ball last Wednesday. Fed him F/T on Friday (instructions per the breeder) with no problem. Other than that, I have only changed water daily and left him alone to settle in. He has been moving between hides and seems to be settling in alright. My plan is to fed him again on Wednesday (7 day point), leave him alone for a couple more days to digest, and then keep handling to a minimum the rest of the second week. The third week and beyond, increase handling a little more and get a few more feeds in.

I always try feeding them the day I get them (or the next day if needed). It's let me know how they are doing. If they eat, they're doing well, and they go on the normal schedule. If they don't eat, I put them back and then let them sit for a week before trying again.