Feeding question

My baby ball python has been eating these past two weeks. He ate last Friday and this Friday (yesterday). When I go to feed him, no matter how much or how little I dangle it or even slightly move it, he never strikes. I noticed that he seems to only eat it when I leave it there for him, and I'll notice it gone whenever I check on him. Even if he is eating, am I dangling the mouse wrong? Last night he seemed really interested in it, but kind of idled afterwards. Anything I should do or is it okay to just leave it there?

Also, after he dries, when would I be able to start handling him? I know some people recommended after two feedings, but should I wait after he has another feeding? And if I can, how often should I handle him? And for how long?

Thank you:D

The good news: he's eating. So just leave it and let him do it his way. Don't dangle too much, just enough so he knows it's there. Then leave it.

As for handling, I would say wait one more week, assuming he eats next Fri. I would give him the weekend to digest and handle him Monday.

I would start slow, maybe 2-3 times a week for about 10-15 minutes to start. Don't handle Friday since that's your feeding day.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

The good news: he's eating. So just leave it and let him do it his way. Don't dangle too much, just enough so he knows it's there. Then leave it.

As for handling, I would say wait one more week, assuming he eats next Fri. I would give him the weekend to digest and handle him Monday.

I would start slow, maybe 2-3 times a week for about 10-15 minutes to start. Don't handle Friday since that's your feeding day.

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Wonderful! Thanks for the help:)

Have you tried the hairdryer trick ??


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Have you tried the hairdryer trick ??


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Yes!:D After letting it thaw in warm to hot water for about thirty minutes, I dry it by using a hair dryer. I like the trick, and he seems to like it:snake:

Like others have said the most important thing is that he's eating. He may or may not start to strike his food at some point. I've had a few drop feeders that became strike feeders. I also have one strike feeder that I drop feed because she's crazy at feeding time.
I've handled snakes after 1 or 2 feedings but that's because I sometimes lack patience and discipline. I agree that it's best to wait until they've eaten 3 times for you. The less stress for the snake the better.

Best wishes with the new critter.

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Like others have said the most important thing is that he's eating. He may or may not start to strike his food at some point. I've had a few drop feeders that became strike feeders. I also have one strike feeder that I drop feed because she's crazy at feeding time.
I've handled snakes after 1 or 2 feedings but that's because I sometimes lack patience and discipline. I agree that it's best to wait until they've eaten 3 times for you. The less stress for the snake the better.

Best wishes with the new critter.

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That's good to know, I'll keep it in mind:)
Thank you!

Definitely agree with the others, long as he’s eating that’s what’s important. I have also had a drop feeder become a striker, I remember having the poop scared out of me. I was doing the usual leave the FT feeder in front of the hide, and boom he struck. Funny thing too, he was a finicky baby. Now he’s around 4 and almost 1600 grams. And yes gotta love the hair dryer!

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

Definitely agree with the others, long as he’s eating that’s what’s important. I have also had a drop feeder become a striker, I remember having the poop scared out of me. I was doing the usual leave the FT feeder in front of the hide, and boom he struck. Funny thing too, he was a finicky baby. Now he’s around 4 and almost 1600 grams. And yes gotta love the hair dryer!

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Lol, with him being my first bp, he'll startle the living hell of me if he ever strikes. I try to expect it, but not so much. Boy, that'll be fun XD

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Originally Posted by Traceur

Lol, with him being my first bp, he'll startle the living hell of me if he ever strikes. I try to expect it, but not so much. Boy, that'll be fun XD

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Thinking about it makes me laugh, I think of myself as someone who doesn’t scare/startle easily. And my heart just jumped out of my chest when that happened. Since I’ve been keeping again over the last five years I never remember snakes more easy to take care of then ball pythons. And to have to feed by just laying the mouse down, well my guard was also down, and boom I literally jumped. I’ve been keeping on and off for like 35 years. I have made my fair share of mistakes over the years. I fed a collection of close to 15 boas in feeder tanks (NEVER FEED OUT OF THEIR ENCLOSURE TANK TUB ETC) I was young, what can I say. Youth is wasted on the young. Don’t even get me going on hot rocks (least I was smart enough to hook up a dimmer). Anybody else remember the Tom Crutchfield sales flyer?

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I've handled snakes after 1 or 2 feedings but that's because I sometimes lack patience and discipline. I agree that it's best to wait until they've eaten 3 times for you. The less stress for the snake the better.

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I have handled prior to 3 feedings as well, but as experienced keepers we know what to look for in our snake's behaviors.
I think it's best for new keepers to wait it out though.

I agree with everyone. Your boy is still new so this could be a settling in phase. Some ball pythons are more shy than others and take longer to build confidence to start striking. Some just strike right off the bat. Either way as long as he eats consistingly he's all good!

This is actually how I had to feed my BP for the first month, so like you I'd have to leave his f/t in his cage, turn off all the lights and leave the room. Within 2-3 hours he ate every time.

That all changed when I switched Tapioca to rats. Something about them unleashed his inner hunter and he's been slamming rats like a beast ever since. Heck I don't even have to lure him out anymore, he's usually already up against the glass demanding his food lol. And yes that hairdryer trick works wonders :p

So just give your boy time and keep being patient. He might surprise you one day :p

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

...Anybody else remember the Tom Crutchfield sales flyer?

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You betcha! I wish I'd saved a few... You've been a snake junkie for maybe 1.5 years longer than me, except that I haven't
taken ANY years off either...nice to know ya! :D

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

Thinking about it makes me laugh, I think of myself as someone who doesn’t scare/startle easily. And my heart just jumped out of my chest when that happened. Since I’ve been keeping again over the last five years I never remember snakes more easy to take care of then ball pythons. And to have to feed by just laying the mouse down, well my guard was also down, and boom I literally jumped. I’ve been keeping on and off for like 35 years. I have made my fair share of mistakes over the years. I fed a collection of close to 15 boas in feeder tanks (NEVER FEED OUT OF THEIR ENCLOSURE TANK TUB ETC) I was young, what can I say. Youth is wasted on the young. Don’t even get me going on hot rocks (least I was smart enough to hook up a dimmer). Anybody else remember the Tom Crutchfield sales flyer?

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I hear ya, mate. You've really been through some stuff, eh? It sure is a thing to experience and hold to your name in itself. Not everyone could admit to owning snakes and their experiences with them, which is why it's pretty cool to hear what people say when they share their snake stories:snake:
I socialize and work with cats, so I can't really say they startle me when they swipe, but you know and it's easy to recall. I've also dealt with ones who will come forward as if they'll ping pong at your face (the ones who act weird around people, and barn cats). But knowing that a snake strike is different from a cat swipe, I'll admit it'll probably be easy for me to get startled.

I do the best I can to understand him, but like I said, he has a habit of making me worry;)

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

I agree with everyone. Your boy is still new so this could be a settling in phase. Some ball pythons are more shy than others and take longer to build confidence to start striking. Some just strike right off the bat. Either way as long as he eats consistingly he's all good!

This is actually how I had to feed my BP for the first month, so like you I'd have to leave his f/t in his cage, turn off all the lights and leave the room. Within 2-3 hours he ate every time.

That all changed when I switched Tapioca to rats. Something about them unleashed his inner hunter and he's been slamming rats like a beast ever since. Heck I don't even have to lure him out anymore, he's usually already up against the glass demanding his food lol. And yes that hairdryer trick works wonders :p

So just give your boy time and keep being patient. He might surprise you one day :p

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Trust me, I know he will. Really looking forward to it too XD

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

You betcha! I wish I'd saved a few... You've been a snake junkie for maybe 1.5 years longer than me, except that I haven't
taken ANY years off either...nice to know ya! :D

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Hey the pleasure is mine, you are quite knowledgeable. The years off though, yeah horrible industrial accidents resulting in massive surgeries leading to severe nerve disease and a bonus round of cancer. Other wise I definitely kept at least a few most of the time. And quite a few at some times, lol. But yes there’s been some forced time off unfortunately. But I’m grateful I can complain.....most days, lol.

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Originally Posted by Traceur

I hear ya, mate. You've really been through some stuff, eh? It sure is a thing to experience and hold to your name in itself. Not everyone could admit to owning snakes and their experiences with them, which is why it's pretty cool to hear what people say when they share their snake stories:snake:
I socialize and work with cats, so I can't really say they startle me when they swipe, but you know and it's easy to recall. I've also dealt with ones who will come forward as if they'll ping pong at your face (the ones who act weird around people, and barn cats). But knowing that a snake strike is different from a cat swipe, I'll admit it'll probably be easy for me to get startled.

I do the best I can to understand him, but like I said, he has a habit of making me worry;)

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Yes I have definitely had a thing for snakes since I was little, and I made a ton of mistakes along the way. Internet? Interwhat? But yeah I remember my first boa, a 8ft wide caught mail order. That kinda opened my eyes a bit, but was lucky to met some knowledgeable people along the way. I lived close to Lee Watson’s reptile swap. And being in around Chicago, at least they had some wild pet shops back then. Also fortunate enough to deal and speak with with Peter Kalh and Jeff Ronne. I remember Chicago reptile house in its day, wow! .......I’m old. Lol

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

Yes I have definitely had a thing for snakes since I was little, and I made a ton of mistakes along the way. Internet? Interwhat? But yeah I remember my first boa, a 8ft wide caught mail order. That kinda opened my eyes a bit, but was lucky to met some knowledgeable people along the way. I lived close to Lee Watson’s reptile swap. And being in around Chicago, at least they had some wild pet shops back then. Also fortunate enough to deal and speak with with Peter Kalh and Jeff Ronne. I remember Chicago reptile house in its day, wow! .......I’m old. Lol

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Nah, bro. You aren't old until you reach your 70's. I'm assuming you're younger than that. So if you are, don't call yourself old yet:)

I try to condition my snakes Not to Strike by leaving them out infront of their Hides.. some might think thats funny but after having 4 ft snakes up to 13ft+ snakes Id rather they loose that behavior. Ithink your lucky to have such a easy feeder [emoji1362][emoji216]


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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

I try to condition my snakes Not to Strike by leaving them out infront of their Hides.. some might think thats funny but after having 4 ft snakes up to 13ft+ snakes Id rather they loose that behavior. Ithink your lucky to have such a easy feeder [emoji1362][emoji216]


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I sure hope so! I'm still trying to learn his ins and outs; he really is a sweet, little guy. Him and I are still in that cautious atmosphere, but hopefully I understand him better here soon:D

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Originally Posted by Traceur

I sure hope so! I'm still trying to learn his ins and outs; he really is a sweet, little guy. Him and I are still in that cautious atmosphere, but hopefully I understand him better here soon:D

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He will lighten up some I’m sure, one thing I have to say about ball pythons though is they’re a bit finicky and a bit nervous. My large female is never defensive however I think most of these ball pythons would rather be left alone, once I have her out of the enclosure she loves to look around and explore but when I first go to take her out she always tries to get away unless she was looking out the glass or pushing. hahahaha


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