Feed in seperate container?

I have read a lot about feeding, and some people insist on a seperate feeding container, and others just toss 'em in the normal environment. I've tried the seperate container, and he always just explores the edges/lid and has no interest in the pinkie. Last night I tried to place the pinkie on a paper plate inside his normal tank, and he pushed it with his nose a couple of times, but never ate. I did notice that the pinkie is only about half as big around as he is, which seems too small to me. Would having too small of prey discourage him from feeding? (I'm using pinkies because the pet store suggested it for the first couple of feedings)

The pinky doesn't sound big enough but he should eat it. You need something the same size as the snakes body. There is no good reason to feed in a seperate container. The only real reason anyone can come up with is to make sure they don't bite you thinking it is feed time. They will not bite unless they smell food. There is also less stress feeding in their enclosure.

If it is a pinkie mouse, yes it is WAY too small.

Feed a prey slighly smaller than the girth size (widest part of your BP's body)

Has this BP ate for you yet?

Actually FatBoy there is a good reason to feeding in a separat enclosure... Over time the snakes will associate the feeding tub with food. In the end its up to you what you do. If your snake eats out of its tub and you want to continue that then theres nothing wrong with that. I do have 1 out of 11 snakes that will not eat in a separate tub so she is fed in her tub. Do whatever works for you and your snake... neither one is wrong as long as your snake eats.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deborah

Has this BP ate for you yet?

---

Nope, still trying to get over that first hurdle.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sneakerpro

Nope, still trying to get over that first hurdle.

---

How long have you had your snake for?

How old is he?

How big is he(weight)?

What type of enclosure do you use?

How big is your enclosure?

Is your enclosure in a low traffic area?

What are your temps (cool & warm side)?

What is your humidity?

What type of thermometer/hygrometer do you use (dial,stick,or digital)?

What kind of hides do you provide (log, homemade, cubbyholes etc) and how many do you have?

Are your hides tight (all side touching your BP's body) and identical?

Have you handle your BP since you have had him?

holy crap ^ :weirdface

How long have you had your snake for?
almost 3 weeks

How old is he?
no idea, he is about 22" long tho

How big is he(weight)?
no idea

What type of enclosure do you use?
aquarium

How big is your enclosure?
30x12x12

Is your enclosure in a low traffic area?
not exactly, but we're never home so there really isn't any traffic

What are your temps (cool & warm side)?
cool side 78-80/warm side 89/91

What is your humidity?
mid 40's, but I just switched to cypress mulch so it should come up a little.

What type of thermometer/hygrometer do you use (dial,stick,or digital)?
two digitals, one on each end

What kind of hides do you provide (log, homemade, cubbyholes etc) and how many do you have?
i have a half log on the cool side, and then a branch/plant that provides a good spot on the warm side

Are your hides tight (all side touching your BP's body) and identical?
the half log isn't very tight at all

Have you handle your BP since you have had him?
yes, 3-4 times a week

First you need to know when acquiring a new BP it is recommended to leave him alone for a week with no handling.

I would highly recommend you to downsize the enclosure 10 gallons tank or 15 quarts tub.

Provide 2 tight identical hides (all side touching your BP body), avoid log hides as they don’t really provide adequate security.

I read you were offering every 3 to 4 days just offer once a week, if you offer too soon after a refusal this only lead to more refusal.

Make a few changes and stop handling your BP. Once a week has passed offer food (a prey slightly smaller than the girth size)

Do not handle your BP until absolutely necessary, wait until he eat successfully for you at least once, even than only handle him every other day until he eats with consistency.

I would advise you to feed in the enclosure feeding outside can cause stress which can lead to a refusal, don’t worry if you have a good feeding schedule your BP will know when feeding day is, I would also recommend you to pre-scent the room.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sneakerpro

holy crap ^ :weirdface

---

Believe it or not, every single question she asked you was absolutely valid and very needed information. One of the things you should understand is refusing to eat isn't the problem, it's a symptom of a problem or set of problems. Having those questions answered helps our membership get a better fix on how your snake lives, the prey it's offered, the feeding method you use, etc. Even just having an idea of it's size is important to begin to suggest a proper prey size. With all those questions answered, you are more likely to get good ideas offered that will help you and your snake. :)

Too true, too true. Ball pythons are rather secretive and touchy little snakes. :)

I agree with all that... but I will add, just in case you are one of those (like me) who can't just go get a new enclosure and such, that you can keep your little one in that 20L tank as long as the tank is secure and "busy" with two identical tight hides and not much open space. Good hides can be as simple, and cheap, as plastic flower pots cut down with an opening, or even flower pot saucers for the really little ones.

But, yes. Make sure you have a nice secure enclosure, don't handle until they've eaten for you at least once, and up that prey size to something a bit smaller than the snake is round in the middle.

Good luck!

Oh, and as for the feeding in another enclosure: I do it mostly because it helps the ball pythons know when it's dinner time. That, and the pre-scenting. My snake room is lit in some way all the time, and they like it nice and dark for feeding so I put them in nice dark tubs. The corns don't care, so they get fed in their homes. It really all comes down to individual snake preferences. :)

I got the best response to the food inside the aquarium, so I think that he will be more apt to feed in there. Is there anyway to pre-scent without actually having a live rat? I'm only feeding F/T and would really like to avoid buying a live rat.

I'm not sure... but at the zoo we used to thaw the rodents at room temperature for a few hours before feeding time and we placed them in the snake room so the scent could spread. Not the greatest idea if your snakes live in your bedroom, like mine... but it's the only thing that came to mind. :D

i agree that it doesnt matter where you feed them as long as they eat

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sneakerpro

I have read a lot about feeding, and some people insist on a seperate feeding container, and others just toss 'em in the normal environment. I've tried the seperate container, and he always just explores the edges/lid and has no interest in the pinkie. Last night I tried to place the pinkie on a paper plate inside his normal tank, and he pushed it with his nose a couple of times, but never ate. I did notice that the pinkie is only about half as big around as he is, which seems too small to me. Would having too small of prey discourage him from feeding? (I'm using pinkies because the pet store suggested it for the first couple of feedings)

---

If you offer the f/t and they do not feed is it ok to re-freeze or should you discard and try with a new one?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sneakerpro

I got the best response to the food inside the aquarium, so I think that he will be more apt to feed in there. Is there anyway to pre-scent without actually having a live rat? I'm only feeding F/T and would really like to avoid buying a live rat.

---

Was this snake eating F/T before you got it? If not - I would continue to feed live until you get some feeds in thim, THEN try to convert him to F/T. A baby can easily take a hopper or small mouse.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sneakerpro

Is there anyway to pre-scent without actually having a live rat?

---

If you know anyone who keep rats you can just get some of their 'used' bedding and put it in a small tub and just set it in the room for a little while prior to feeding.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by b8byjenny

If you offer the f/t and they do not feed is it ok to re-freeze or should you discard and try with a new one?

---

Some people do.

I wouldn't...but that's just me.

:)

These snakes are strike feeders. You should try dangleing the food in. You dont have to use your hands if your worried it might bite you, you can use forceps. In the wild it would expect to just come across a dead mouse to eat so they dont expect it in captivity either. Good luck :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sneakerpro

(I'm sing pinkies because the pet store suggested it for the first couple of feedings)

---

If you're talking Mouse pinks, they are WAY too small. Even my newly hatched babies take either rat pinks or hopper mice. Whether you feed in the enclosure or outside, i would definitely suggest upping the prey size after you correct the other issues that people have pointed out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sneakerpro

I got the best response to the food inside the aquarium, so I think that he will be more apt to feed in there. Is there anyway to pre-scent without actually having a live rat? I'm only feeding F/T and would really like to avoid buying a live rat.

---

Yes simply thaw the prey at room temp right above the enclosure!

However since you BP never ate for you and is fairly young I would encourage you to fix your husbandry first, stop handling him, and offer live prey for 4 to 5 feedings before switching to F/T.

Your priority is to get him to eat first.

The store clerk told me they only feed F/T, so I should stick with that. I'm thinking that the husbandry issues/acclimation/prey size are the issues. I am slowly getting everything adjusted properly, but it is a learning process for me so it is taking a little time.