New BP owner have a few feeding questions.

I recently got a pastel ball python from a friend, she is 3 years old and about 3 feet long.

He has experience with reptiles, but some of the things he told me is conflicting with what I'm reading so I'm not sure what to do.

Feeding: he feeds her every 3-4 weeks. She didn't eat last time and he said to offer again in 3-4 weeks.

He also always feeds her in a separate tank. Seems most people don't do that, and from what I've read so far it's better not to.

Do you think I Should I continue with what she's used to or move over to a more frequent feeding schedule in her tank?

Thanks
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move over to a more frequent feeding schedule in her tank

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Originally Posted by DennisM

move over to a more frequent feeding schedule in her tank

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Agreed , my Royals / Ball pythons get fed every 7 days but a couple prefer every 10 days .
I've heard of some who feed every 5 days !

I feed my BP in tank every 7 days although sometimes I think he would have every 5 days piggie noodle, if you find she struggles with change and all ^^^ this guy zinc gave me some great tips on feeding F/T that worked so well every time with my noodle, if you can see it its on my thread called ' the time has come ' there's a sticky about husbandry on here too which is great help for getting it set spot on :) good luck, enjoy her and keep us updated :)

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Feed inside the cage, there is no need to stress the animal by moving her to a separate bin. I feed every 7 days

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3-4 weeks is a long break between feedings. I mean they'll live, but it isn't recommended. I think a general rule of thumb is every 5-10 days depending on the size of the animal versus the size of the food, your animal's preferred schedule, and your preferred schedule.

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Originally Posted by RiA MaU

3-4 weeks is a long break between feedings. I mean they'll live, but it isn't recommended. I think a general rule of thumb is every 5-10 days depending on the size of the animal versus the size of the food, your animal's preferred schedule, and your preferred schedule.

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Isn't it the huge snakes such as adult Retics , Burms and Boas ( to a lesser extent ) that you can feed every 3 weeks or so ?!

For a BP that age, you're probably best to feed the appropriate sized prey every 7-10 days. And feeing in the enclosure is much better than moving the snake to feed in a separate tub.

Thanks, that is what I thought but seemed a little arrogant to think I knew better than him after 2 weeks when he raised her.
I will try to feed her tonight in her tank.

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Fed her in her tank last night went pretty well. Lack of experience on my part I didn't plan things out well and she ended up dragging the rat through the water dish back to her hide.

Do you guys remove some stuff from the tank before you feed? Or is my setup too crowded?

Thanks for all the help!!

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Originally Posted by KingPhoenix

Fed her in her tank last night went pretty well. Lack of experience on my part I didn't plan things out well and she ended up dragging the rat through the water dish back to her hide.

Do you guys remove some stuff from the tank before you feed? Or is my setup too crowded?

Thanks for all the help!!

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i try not to put my hands in the enclosure when there's a warm rat next to me. ;) but no, i don't think your setup is crowded at all. i usually dangle the head at the entrance of the hide and they strike and pull it in without having to come out much.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KingPhoenix

Fed her in her tank last night went pretty well. Lack of experience on my part I didn't plan things out well and she ended up dragging the rat through the water dish back to her hide.

Do you guys remove some stuff from the tank before you feed? Or is my setup too crowded?

Thanks for all the help!!

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Ball pythons have no manners. They will make a mess if they can. Wait till you get a poop painting. I would not attempt to take the bowl out for feeding. On feeding day my good feeders go from pet rocks to striking at the first warm thing that moves. I always clean up after feeding. Replace the water after the snake goes out of feeding mode.

Yeh I'd say feed more frequently every week or two week and I always feed mine in his own tank only thing I do when feeding is move some of his things out from one side to make plenty room for him and lay news paper down over his substrate to make sure he doesn't swallow any then I'll leave him to do what he needs after about 20 mins from feeding he will always go back into his opposite hide that's when I will put everything back in his enclosure that's what I do anyway some people might suggest different

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Also it's recommended not to handle your ball python for two days after feeding that's when they can feel most vulnerable and could cause regurgitation I've not experienced this but I've herd it's not plesent and the smell from a half digested rodent is not a plesent smell at all

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

Ball pythons have no manners. They will make a mess if they can. Wait till you get a poop painting. I would not attempt to take the bowl out for feeding. On feeding day my good feeders go from pet rocks to striking at the first warm thing that moves. I always clean up after feeding. Replace the water after the snake goes out of feeding mode.

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Thanks, he used to feed her more often I believe but cut back once she was bigger.

I didn't realize she would drag it back into her hide to eat it, tried to clear an area and put down cardboard but that obviously didn't work out.

Ya I was going to wait a couple bays before handling again.

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