Should I take hide off while feeding?

I'm not sure if this is a dumb question but I just recently got a new ball python last week at a reptile show and I've tried feeding him but no luck. The first time he seems just scared of the f/t mouse. The other day he seemed more interested and sniffed it but then retreated to his hide. I held the mouse outside his hide for soooooo long because he seemed to be inching forward, and then he just gave up. I'm going to leave him alone until next Saturday. Each day I feel like I'm making his enclosure more secure and comfortable (I hope).

My question is, how should I go about feeding? Can I take his hide off him? Should I wait until he is out at night? What are some good tips for the first feeding after he is left alone?

I've gotten tips on how to get the mouse ready but how can I not scare him.

-worried mom

If he's not eating when offered with a hide, removing the hide won't help either.

Did the seller/breeder tell you if he was eating f/t or live before? If he was eating f/t before and is now refusing, you could post a couple pics of your setup and what equipment you're using. If he was eating live, you may need to buy live rodents for now and it may take a few more tricks and some time to convert him to f/t.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

If he's not eating when offered with a hide, removing the hide won't help either.

Did the seller/breeder tell you if he was eating f/t or live before? If he was eating f/t before and is now refusing, you could post a couple pics of your setup and what equipment you're using. If he was eating live, you may need to buy live rodents for now and it may take a few more tricks and some time to convert him to f/t.

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Here is his setup!
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ps331qotkq.jpg

I was using stuff the block a few of the sides of the glass but I just officially got foam board paper and blocked the three sides of the glass. He has two identical hides on the hot and cold side. I just added the plant on the right side (cool side) with the idea that it might block me from his view while feeding. Also, he LOVES the same plant that's on the hot side, he's sleeping there right now. Humidity is 56%, temp is always 78-85, I use my temp gun to check each side. He seems very happy!

The breeder I got him from assured me it was f/t. I was playing with him after I got him a bit but now I am going to leave him alone for the next week. I am just trying to see if there is anything I can do better to try to get him to strike the next time. It's only been a week so I am trying not to worry too much! It's just hard haha

Let the snake get settled in. Each time you enter the tank to change something you disrupt that process. Leave things alone and try to feed again next week.

You shouldn't have to remove the hide. The most important thing when feeding FT is making it mimic live rodents. That means presenting them at just over 100F.

Relax and let the snake do the same.

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Originally Posted by KMG

Let the snake get settled in. Each time you enter the tank to change something you disrupt that process. Leave things alone and try to feed again next week.

You shouldn't have to remove the hide. The most important thing when feeding FT is making it mimic live rodents. That means presenting them at just over 100F.

Relax and let the snake do the same.

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Haha I am probably unintentionally sending my stress signals to my snake. I feel like I have gotten everything secured. I kind of freaked in the beginning because some of the stuff I bought for him in the beginning didn't seem right, but since I was so new to having a snake it was a lot of worry, and research.

Good sign is he is very comfortable with me and never rolls up into a ball, just seems unsure of everything.

I will def leave him alone and let him do his thing!

My advice is to completely leave him alone for a week and try feeding again.

As others have stated, let him be for a week to fully adapt to his new surroundings, smells etc..

When feeding f/t make sure you are letting the rat thaw fully out. I'll explain what I do, which isn't the best if you have a lot of snakes but for a few it's not that difficult.

I take what I plan on feeding out in the morning, or depending work this can vary. I thaw pinkies and fuzzies out together and anything past that I thaw out with the stuff with more hair, because the fuzzies and pinkies thaw out faster. I generally put in a ziploc bag, then I let it sit for an hour or two, which is more than enough but I usually try to do stuff in the meantime. If it's larger, then two or three hours. After that I run the sink with hot water let it warm up, I fill a yetti style up(ozark) up then I put the ziploc bag in the cup and put the lid on with the top zip part out and that way the heat stays in and it heats everything up nicely. I let it sit for 10-20 minutes and then I feed. Some of my snakes I can just grab the tail and dangle it in front of them, but then others I have to get it between the shoulder blades behind the head and make it seem like it's crawling. Hope this helps.

Everyone has given you good advice, I don't feel the need to add to it. However I can't help but ask, why is there pepperoni/salami on the enclosure?

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Originally Posted by Ogre

Everyone has given you good advice, I don't feel the need to add to it. However I can't help but ask, why is there pepperoni/salami on the enclosure?

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Hahahaha rotf.
Leave the hide and dont disrupt the the way things are at all. Everytime you do its like starting over. Wait a week & try feeding again. If no go wait a week and try live if you want. That will usually jump start things.


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Not trying to derail the topic I just want to know what it is and why it's there.

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Originally Posted by Ogre

Not trying to derail the topic I just want to know what it is and why it's there.

Sent from my 5056W using Tapatalk

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I'm pretty sure it's sparkly decoration... LOL

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Originally Posted by Ogre

Not trying to derail the topic I just want to know what it is and why it's there.

Sent from my 5056W using Tapatalk

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Haha I was waiting for someone to ask about it. His name is Mochi and they were a dollar and kind of reminded me of Mochi lol. And mostly just pink decorations bc I'm a young girl who LOVES pink. You don't even wanna see how I decorated his insulation xD

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

I'm pretty sure it's sparkly decoration... LOL

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Cause he's cute and deserves cute things!! And sparkly things!

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Originally Posted by Neal

As others have stated, let him be for a week to fully adapt to his new surroundings, smells etc..

When feeding f/t make sure you are letting the rat thaw fully out. I'll explain what I do, which isn't the best if you have a lot of snakes but for a few it's not that difficult.

I take what I plan on feeding out in the morning, or depending work this can vary. I thaw pinkies and fuzzies out together and anything past that I thaw out with the stuff with more hair, because the fuzzies and pinkies thaw out faster. I generally put in a ziploc bag, then I let it sit for an hour or two, which is more than enough but I usually try to do stuff in the meantime. If it's larger, then two or three hours. After that I run the sink with hot water let it warm up, I fill a yetti style up(ozark) up then I put the ziploc bag in the cup and put the lid on with the top zip part out and that way the heat stays in and it heats everything up nicely. I let it sit for 10-20 minutes and then I feed. Some of my snakes I can just grab the tail and dangle it in front of them, but then others I have to get it between the shoulder blades behind the head and make it seem like it's crawling. Hope this helps.

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Thank you! I'll try to see which way attracts Mochi the best!

My BP needed 3-weeks to acclimate, refused his first couple rats... now I dangle the rat in front of his hide and he quickly grabs it. So I wouldn't change anything...

This works for me:
- thaw rodent in ziplock in container of room temp water, 2-3 hours
- then place rodent 5-6" under an incandescent bulb or heat lamp, 15-20 min per side until its surface/head temp is approx. 95-99F (using temp gun)

My Snake didn't eat the first time I presented food to him. He seemed more scared of it than hungry. I thought it was due to him being scared of the small rat so I got him an adult mouse which he took. Turns out, he was going into shed at the time, so he was basically just grumpy from being in shed. The next week, he ate a small rat like a champ.

Just leave him for a week or two. He's probs just stressed out. Check for signs of shedding as that may be a culprit.
A good feeder will eat with or without a hide. Mines will take food in or out of a hide

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

I'm pretty sure it's sparkly decoration... LOL

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Omg now I can't unsee pepperoni!

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

Omg now I can't unsee pepperoni!

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Okay honestly after he said that I could also see it!! xD but it looks less like pepperoni in person!! I sweeeear

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Originally Posted by vikingr

My BP needed 3-weeks to acclimate, refused his first couple rats... now I dangle the rat in front of his hide and he quickly grabs it. So I wouldn't change anything...

This works for me:
- thaw rodent in ziplock in container of room temp water, 2-3 hours
- then place rodent 5-6" under an incandescent bulb or heat lamp, 15-20 min per side until its surface/head temp is approx. 95-99F (using temp gun)

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Okay! I don't thiiiiink he's getting ready to she'd but I am still a newbie. And thank you so much for the tips on heating :)

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Originally Posted by JustinGatCat

My Snake didn't eat the first time I presented food to him. He seemed more scared of it than hungry. I thought it was due to him being scared of the small rat so I got him an adult mouse which he took. Turns out, he was going into shed at the time, so he was basically just grumpy from being in shed. The next week, he ate a small rat like a champ.

Just leave him for a week or two. He's probs just stressed out. Check for signs of shedding as that may be a culprit.
A good feeder will eat with or without a hide. Mines will take food in or out of a hide

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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I'm getting rat fuzzies on Saturday so I hope he'll take those! Thank you ^^