Questions...feeding and housing

First, tonight when I was feeding my ball python his f/t rat, when he constricted it, the rats stomach came open revealing its intestines and such. The snake was still interested in the food but then later he let go of it. I took it out thinking maybe it wasn't good for him to eat the rat when it was completely open like that. Am I right or would it have been ok for him to eat it anyways?

Second, I was watching him move all around his tank tonight and was wondering if a 20 gallon long tank was too small for him? He is as long as the tank now. Would a 40 gallon be too big if I could get my temps right? Or is he fine in the 20 gallon?

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Originally Posted by pitbulls4me

First, tonight when I was feeding my ball python his f/t rat, when he constricted it, the rats stomach came open revealing its intestines and such. The snake was still interested in the food but then later he let go of it. I took it out thinking maybe it wasn't good for him to eat the rat when it was completely open like that. Am I right or would it have been ok for him to eat it anyways?

Second, I was watching him move all around his tank tonight and was wondering if a 20 gallon long tank was too small for him? He is as long as the tank now. Would a 40 gallon be too big if I could get my temps right? Or is he fine in the 20 gallon?

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Backwards. If he's moving around, he's stressed and looking for a hiding place.
Depending on his age and size a 20 gallon may or may not be too large for him. I recommend 20 gallons for adults or large juveniles only. If your snake is a baby, it could be stressed for being in too large of an enclosure. Make sure the cage is cramped with plants and nice tight non-log hides.

The rat would be fine for him to continue eating if he eats it.

I feed F/T and about once a month or so, one of my BP's will pop a rat. I just let them go ahead and eat it. Haven't had a problem with it yet.

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Originally Posted by pitbulls4me

First, tonight when I was feeding my ball python his f/t rat, when he constricted it, the rats stomach came open revealing its intestines and such. The snake was still interested in the food but then later he let go of it. I took it out thinking maybe it wasn't good for him to eat the rat when it was completely open like that. Am I right or would it have been ok for him to eat it anyways?

Second, I was watching him move all around his tank tonight and was wondering if a 20 gallon long tank was too small for him? He is as long as the tank now. Would a 40 gallon be too big if I could get my temps right? Or is he fine in the 20 gallon?

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Was he wandering b4 or after you fed him?

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Originally Posted by Slim

I feed F/T and about once a month or so, one of my BP's will pop a rat. I just let them go ahead and eat it. Haven't had a problem with it yet.

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Why do they pop? I only feed live, tried f/t they want no parts of it.

He was moving around after I fed him. I think he wasn't too happy that I took the rat away. He eventually settled down into one of his hides. He normally doesnt move around much other than switching hides. We are in the middle of redoing his tank so there is only 2 hides and a water dish right now. I am not sure how old the snake is or how much he weighs... I am waiting on my tax money and that will change. He will go to a vet to get checked out and everything.

Thanks for the info... I feel bad now for taking the rat!

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Originally Posted by pitbulls4me

He was moving around after I fed him. I think he wasn't too happy that I took the rat away. He eventually settled down into one of his hides. He normally doesnt move around much other than switching hides. We are in the middle of redoing his tank so there is only 2 hides and a water dish right now. I am not sure how old the snake is or how much he weighs... I am waiting on my tax money and that will change. He will go to a vet to get checked out and everything.

Thanks for the info... I feel bad now for taking the rat!

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Give him another one! :gj:

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Originally Posted by llovelace

Why do they pop? I only feed live, tried f/t they want no parts of it.

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I've never had it happen, but oh has it come close.
The pressure in f/t is greater, especially if you soak them to thaw them. They absorb water and when the snake constricts, sometimes the old dead skin will just give.

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Originally Posted by pitbulls4me

He was moving around after I fed him. I think he wasn't too happy that I took the rat away. He eventually settled down into one of his hides. He normally doesnt move around much other than switching hides. We are in the middle of redoing his tank so there is only 2 hides and a water dish right now. I am not sure how old the snake is or how much he weighs... I am waiting on my tax money and that will change. He will go to a vet to get checked out and everything.

Thanks for the info... I feel bad now for taking the rat!

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yah he was hungry and looking for his food, he wasnt happy he got robbed :)

on a side note i have had my bp pop a live hopper and squeeze its guys out its rear. i just let him heat it. some times he balls up on it like a freaking knot in a blink of an eye so i know he is healthy and he is a strong feeder. since i usually feed on news paper there is no chance of him eating substrate so i never worry.

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Originally Posted by llovelace

Why do they pop? I only feed live, tried f/t they want no parts of it.

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If you heat up the prey item too fast, they will explode. This is why we never microwave mice!!

I didnt have any other rats in the freezer so I am running to the store in the morning and going to try and feed him then. I usually feed him at night so hopefully he will eat for me during the day. I didnt think I warmed it too quick. The rat was in a plastic baggy and I had it in hot water... not like too hot I couldnt touch it. And then I let it set for about 10 mins until he was soft all the way through. It was a gross experience though and the smell... yuck!

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

If you heat up the prey item too fast, they will explode. This is why we never microwave mice!!

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or if the put just the right squeeze on it

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Originally Posted by pitbulls4me

I didnt have any other rats in the freezer so I am running to the store in the morning and going to try and feed him then. I usually feed him at night so hopefully he will eat for me during the day. I didnt think I warmed it too quick. The rat was in a plastic baggy and I had it in hot water... not like too hot I couldnt touch it. And then I let it set for about 10 mins until he was soft all the way through. It was a gross experience though and the smell... yuck!

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Yeah I have had it happen a few times. It is pretty nasty. Usually my snake decides this is a good time to thrash the food around while looking for the head, leaving mouse guts everwhere... It looks like a massacre in there sometimes.

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Originally Posted by pitbulls4me

I didnt have any other rats in the freezer so I am running to the store in the morning and going to try and feed him then. I usually feed him at night so hopefully he will eat for me during the day. I didnt think I warmed it too quick. The rat was in a plastic baggy and I had it in hot water... not like too hot I couldnt touch it. And then I let it set for about 10 mins until he was soft all the way through. It was a gross experience though and the smell... yuck!

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it wasnt the warming, it was probably just the way it goes. like i said i had a live hopper get "popped" while restricting it was rather nasty.

Let me guess... you had that same rat thawed out before but the snake would not eat it, so you froze it and this time the snake wanted to eat it and popped it?
-Steven

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Originally Posted by stevenkeogh

Let me guess... you had that same rat thawed out before but the snake would not eat it, so you froze it and this time the snake wanted to eat it and popped it?
-Steven

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if your referring to me, no i don't feed F/T, i usually do live unless they are in shed ill offer a F/T but i have to jump through hoops to get him to take it.

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Originally Posted by stevenkeogh

Let me guess... you had that same rat thawed out before but the snake would not eat it, so you froze it and this time the snake wanted to eat it and popped it?
-Steven

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If you are asking me, no it was frozen. I just bought the rats last week when members on here suggested trying a bigger food item for my ball python. 2 came in a pack, he ate the other one last tuesday night and attempted to eat this one last night until i took it from him. But I know re-freezing rats/mice is not good.

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Originally Posted by pitbulls4me

If you are asking me, no it was frozen. I just bought the rats last week when members on here suggested trying a bigger food item for my ball python. 2 came in a pack, he ate the other one last tuesday night and attempted to eat this one last night until i took it from him. But I know re-freezing rats/mice is not good.

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you can refreeze provided its once, and not to gamey. thaw and freezing just causes a cellar breakdown on the food item and causes it to become mushy and rot quicker. but some people have used this as a trick to get a BP to eat. get a F/T thats a lil pungent and they may take it.

Well my guy has no problem eating at all! I dont think I will have to worry about doing that... for now. thanks though for the info!