Hello and progress thread

Hello all! I think I know most of you already. First time snake owner! Finally picked up my snaby today and I can honestly say this is a dream come through. Still not solid on the name yet but I’m thinking Leonard Nipples, Lenny for short. Anyways this little guy came from a previous owner who got him from a local breeder. He’s a year old and very friendly, 2 ft long. His previous owner says he eats like a champ which I can believe because he looks a little chubby to me! But we’ve got a vet visit scheduled for a couple weeks from now so the vet will let me know how his condition is. He’s just a plain ol’ pied but he is so gorgeous. It’s really a shame, my camera just can’t do him justice, it washes out all the orange and warm tones. Anyways, happy to finally be here!

Um first time mom question, when should I give him his first feed? Also what are the opinions around here about feeding in the enclosure (“tat”) or out of? I think I’m inclined to pull him and keep the feeding to a designated feeding tub so he doesn’t get defensive when I reach into his enclosure.

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I'm sure someone with more credentials will give you a more comprehensive answer, but the consensus seems to be feed in the enclosure. Handling the snake around feeding time causes stress, and feeding in the enclosure won't cause defensiveness.

Also, anecdotal evidence that doesn't matter: feeding in the enclosure has always worked great for me.

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Originally Posted by ROSIEonFIRE

Um first time mom question, when should I give him his first feed? Also what are the opinions around here about feeding in the enclosure (“tat”) or out of? I think I’m inclined to pull him and keep the feeding to a designated feeding tub so he doesn’t get defensive when I reach into his enclosure.

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Give him a week to settle in before feeding him. Don't move to feed. You risk a regurgitation when returning him to his enclosure. Let him eat where he feels the most secure.

To start he’s a pretty awesome looking pied! Members have laid out two good points and a fair time to offer food. I would always feed in the enclosure, just works for me. Anytime I’ve been struck is because I have my hand in there with a rat present. I’m sure if you don’t lose focus like me and pull your hand out you’ll be fine lol. I would also like to add that you want to stick to the same prey item the seller was offering. Just helps in getting him to eat for you.

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Originally Posted by KingPythons

To start he’s a pretty awesome looking pied! Members have laid out two good points and a fair time to offer food. I would always feed in the enclosure, just works for me. Anytime I’ve been struck is because I have my hand in there with a rat present. I’m sure if you don’t lose focus like me and pull your hand out you’ll be fine lol. I would also like to add that you want to stick to the same prey item the seller was offering. Just helps in getting him to eat for you.

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Honestly I’m a bit surprised that there would be so much consensus around feeding in the enclosure. I was planning to feed him in a tub but I think I’ll try feeding in the enclosure. I definitely see the risks of moving the snake after a feed.

Isn’t he gorgeous? I remember the first time I ever saw a pied it literally took my breath away. I still think even regular old pieds are so beautiful. That’s not to say I wouldn’t love to have something a little bit snappier as well down the line but he is a nice looking boy! I can’t wait for him to get settled so I can handle him.

Beautiful indeed! I think we all want you to have a pleasant experience and not deal with some of our mistakes (or just mines). Naturally, the decision is always yours, and consequently, your experience will be accordingly.

Long time snake keeper here- I always feed them where they live. Very simple to read their body language to avoid bites-& if you're not sure, they can easily be blocked (if they're in their hide peeking out, as is typical for a hungry BP, since they are NOT active "hunters", just use a piece of cardboard in front of the doorway of the hide they're in- like if you want to reach in to tidy up or change the water bowl), or sidetracked (a cool water spray mist to their face is just like rain in the wild, doesn't hurt them but easily "changes the channel"-in fact, many snakes will drink from a water spray).

Just always ASSUME they're hungry & may think you're incoming prey- don't wear "rodent scent" (wash well after handling their food). Hungry BPs may go after your heat signature & scent...they don't visually recognize you even though we're huge compared to their food- they're not "logical" about size. So just avoid confusing them, see?

It's stressful for most snakes to be moved just prior to eating- they lose their focus, & may feel too timid to eat where they don't feel safe. BPs are "ambush predators" & instinctively avoid eating in the open, because that's how they become dinner for something bigger than they are. Feed at night also- dim light preferred, & keep a low profile so you don't distract them.

Remember the only thing that picks up a snake in the wild is a predator that's about to eat THEM, so when you pick up a snake to put in a side tub, it may not feel like eating- fear kills the appetite (even though they seem mellow & unafraid, they rely on instincts).

Lots of good explanations; here's my take: always feed in the enclosure unless (a) there is an actually existing and important reason not to, and (b) if there is such a reason, all the simplest/least stressful fixes have been thoroughly tried.

The 'reading their body language' comment needs a lot of stars -- that's such an underappreciated part of herp keeping (especially ball pythons, which are pretty open with their "feelings" compared to other snake species).

I just weight Snaby and he is EXACTLY 420g so happy 420 to those who celebrate lol


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Hooray! First feed was a success! He snapped up the mouse right away. It was my first ever feed, what a cool experience :)

:gj: :gj: :gj:

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Originally Posted by ROSIEonFIRE

Hooray! First feed was a success! He snapped up the mouse right away. It was my first ever feed, what a cool experience :)

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:clap::bounce::carrot::sweeet::colbert2:

Um so about feeds, the previous keeper was feeding a large mouse every 2 weeks. He’s 420g right now. Whadya guys think? Should I stick to that routine? It seems like he maybe should be eating a bit more to me.


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Originally Posted by ROSIEonFIRE

Um so about feeds, the previous keeper was feeding a large mouse every 2 weeks. He’s 420g right now. Whadya guys think? Should I stick to that routine? It seems like he maybe should be eating a bit more to me.

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The chart in my A New Keeper's Guide to Ball Pythons suggests every 7 days until he's 500 g. Then, switch over to a small rats every 7-9 days. That said, you're BP looks fine to me, and you just got him. So, I suggest that you maintain his feeding regimen for now.

If I missed it, I am sorry, but how long have had him? If you just had your first feed on 4-21-25, then feed him every 10-14 days for 3-4 consecutive feedings of whatever he was and is happily eating.

Once he is established and doing great with eating then I would switch to weaned rats every two weeks. When growing I would aim for 7-10% of body weight +/- every 2 weeks or so if that schedule works for you. Weaned rats fall right into that weight range. Do not feed a prey item bigger than the width of your snake. Always better to go a little smaller than bigger.

I would get him on rats when you can because as he grows he will need bigger meals than mice can offer. Easier to switch now.

Are you feeding Frozen/Thawed?

Good luck and keep us posted.

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Originally Posted by dakski

If I missed it, I am sorry, but how long have had him? If you just had your first feed on 4-21-25, then feed him every 10-14 days for 3-4 consecutive feedings of whatever he was and is happily eating.

Once he is established and doing great with eating then I would switch to weaned rats every two weeks. When growing I would aim for 7-10% of body weight +/- every 2 weeks or so if that schedule works for you. Weaned rats fall right into that weight range. Do not feed a prey item bigger than the width of your snake. Always better to go a little smaller than bigger.

I would get him on rats when you can because as he grows he will need bigger meals than mice can offer. Easier to switch now.

Are you feeding Frozen/Thawed?

Good luck and keep us posted.

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I got him on the 18th so brand new. Feeding FT.


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I agree, rats would be a better choice. Eventually you’ll find your self feeding 3 mice.


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So glad it’s starting to warm up! I think he might be starting to go blue. Here comes the first shed!


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Nice. He looks great.

I would keep humidity up a little and let him shed. Then offer food after.

Also, how often are you handling him? I would not be handling until he has eaten 3 meals for you. Let him settle in. You have years to enjoy him. BP's can get stressed easily.

Really nice looking guy!

Good luck and keep us posted.

Omg the little turd escaped. I thought this thing was fort k Knox! The only thing I can think might have happened is that the grommet wasn’t popped in all the way and he managed to climb a literal WIRE and escape. I came to check and see if he’d shed yet to find a piece of skin and NO SNAKE!! It took me 45 minutes to find him he’d climbed up into the upholstery in one of my easy chairs omg


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Originally Posted by ROSIEonFIRE

Omg the little turd escaped. I thought this thing was fort k Knox! The only thing I can think might have happened is that the grommet wasn’t popped in all the way and he managed to climb a literal WIRE and escape. I came to check and see if he’d shed yet to find a piece of skin and NO SNAKE!! It took me 45 minutes to find him he’d climbed up into the upholstery in one of my easy chairs omg

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It happens. I'm happy you found him quickly.

Gday all! So I think I would like to bump up Lenny’s feed schedule a bit. I was thinking every 10 days would be a good, considering the previous owner was feeding every 2 weeks. I bought a small rat and was preparing to feed it to him but it struck me that the rat might be too large for him. I weighed them both and the rat came in at 68g and Lenny came in at 400g. So it seems like I should be shooting for a 40-45g feed. Should I be concerned about this dip in weight? On 4/20 he was 420g. I mean I fed him 4/21 so it’s not like he isn’t eating.


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Hi all! Lenny’s eating like a champ and growing. Turns out his breeder got arrested for sneglect and vet says he has a few mites but apparently he escaped the worst of it with this breeder. We’ll get those mites cleared up. Lenny helped me get my new isopods settled in to their temporary home today :)https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f8f237872b.jpg


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Originally Posted by ROSIEonFIRE

Gday all! So I think I would like to bump up Lenny’s feed schedule a bit. I was thinking every 10 days would be a good, considering the previous owner was feeding every 2 weeks. I bought a small rat and was preparing to feed it to him but it struck me that the rat might be too large for him. I weighed them both and the rat came in at 68g and Lenny came in at 400g. So it seems like I should be shooting for a 40-45g feed. Should I be concerned about this dip in weight? On 4/20 he was 420g. I mean I fed him 4/21 so it’s not like he isn’t eating.

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Sorry for the late response, but your proposed feeding schedule sounds fine. When he hits 1000g, go back to every 14 days. I hear Nexguard works great for mites. It's best that you let your vet administer it for you.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Sorry for the late response, but your proposed feeding schedule sounds fine. When he hits 1000g, go back to every 14 days. I hear Nexguard works great for mites. It's best that you let your vet administer it for you.

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Yeah the vet gave me ivermectin which might just be nextgaurd, I have not gotten around to starting the treatment regimen yet since I’ll have to clean all his substrate out of his enclosure but I’m planning on doing it this weekend. I have to treat him and his enclosure 1x/week for four weeks. I’ll probably keep him paper towels during this time.


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Originally Posted by ROSIEonFIRE

Yeah the vet gave me ivermectin which might just be nextgaurd, I have not gotten around to starting the treatment regimen yet since I’ll have to clean all his substrate out of his enclosure but I’m planning on doing it this weekend. I have to treat him and his enclosure 1x/week for four weeks. I’ll probably keep him paper towels during this time.

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Nextgard is different. It's a one shot and your done treatment. Ask your vet about it. One of our members recently treated his Bredl's python with it and it worked great (https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...er#post2788321). Here is a link to a scientific paper supporting it's use (https://parasitesandvectors.biomedce...71-022-05611-1). Your vet may find it helpful.

I would not personally spray ivermectin on anything I intended to use to house isopods or other invertebrates in -- it is literally used to kill isopods in marine fish.

That's kind of another reason why so-called bioactive housing is less than desirable -- it complicates basic care.