MBK, First Feeding

[Charles8088]

I got her yesterday morning. She's a month old. Breeder told me he's fed her twice on frozen. Last feeding was about a week before shipping, so she should be hungry. Got a f/t pinky... she showed no interest while wiggling, so I just put the pinky in the tub and left her there. That was about 30 minutes ago, and its still there. How long should I wait before removing the pinky?

[Craiga 01453]

If she's currently in a hide I would as discreetly as possible remove the pinkie and rewarm it. Since pinkies are so tiny they get cold fast.
I would just very gently place it back in front of the hide she's in and see what happens.

How did you defrost/warm it?

[Charles8088]

So, actually about 20 minutes after posting that message, I checked on her and noticed she took the pinky, and was in the process of chomping it down. As slow as I went, I startled her a bit, cause she jumped. Hopefully it doesn't effect her negatively.

To defrost, I took the pinky, placed it in a plastic bag, and placed the bag in a cup of warm-to-hot water (not too hot to touch). Kept it in there for about 13 minutes. Pulled it out, felt the pinky to make sure it was thawed throughout (which it was), then immediately opened the tub and using a tong wiggled it about in front of the hide. She showed no interest (or maybe just a bit scared), so I carefully placed it down in front of the hide and left it there. Closed up, shut the lights, and left... until I checked-in 30 minutes later.

[JodanOrNoDan]

Great news. It is always a good feeling when new snakes eat.

[Craiga 01453]

Awesome!!!

That's great she ate. Sometimes they just wait until they're ready. My King is a beast when it's feeding time, I'm sure yours will get there, too. Kings typically are great eaters. My boy will start circling his enclosure like a maniac when he smells his meal warming up above him. I open his enclosure (glass w/screen top for now) and he's halfway out before I can get his mouse in there.

I'm glad she ate for you. And I'm glad you have your first snake. Based on your threads and inquiries prior to making your choice and getting everything set up, I know you'll be good to go and be a great snake keeper!

[EL-Ziggy]

Congrats on the successful first feeding! Even though most kings are pretty ferocious at feeding time it's always a great feeling when a new snake eats. Kings make great first snakes imo and I think you'll really enjoy yours.

[Charles8088]

I'm figuring her next feeding will be between Wed-Fri (I'd probably feed Wed). But, that following Saturday I will be away for 7 days (Sat to Sat). I've read its generally good to not feed right before leaving on a long trip. Do you think it'd be fine to feed Wednesday, and then not again till I get back 10 days later? Or, should I try to feed more, or feed closer to Sat? Opinions? Suggestions?

[EL-Ziggy]

If you feed her in 5 days. It'll be perfectly fine to feed her 10 days after that. After she eats on Wednesday she may or may not poop before you leave on Saturday so you may have a present waiting for you when you return.

[Craiga 01453]

I would feed on Wed and then again the day you get back.

[bcr229]

Have fun with her! I will warn you though that my female MBK mistook my pinkie finger for a mouse pinkie on more than one occasion.