Leave F/T food in tank?

[BPgirls]

So the new baby I picked up last Thursday didn't take food last night after settling in for a few days. Temps and humidity are all good 90-91 at hot spot and 80-83 on cool side, humidity is at 65 with two hides. I figure it is still adjusting and I don't want to cause any stress. Was curios if anyone has ever left the F/T food in tank when BP would not take it and possibly find it on its on?

[Craiga 01453]

It's fine to leave it for a few hours, over night at most. At that point it's starting to rot and bacteria is starting to grow. So after a few hours throw it away.

[BPgirls]

It's fine to leave it for a few hours, over night at most. At that point it's starting to rot and bacteria is starting to grow. So after a few hours throw it away.

That is what i figured. I only left it in there for a couple hours. Did not want to leave it in over night. Have you had an success with a BP taking the food that way?

[Craiga 01453]

Yes, I have. My hognose will only eat if I leave the food. And my Borneo STP is hit or miss with striking, sometimes he does, sometimes I have to leave it for him.
My BP and my King take the prey off the tongs every time though.

[BPgirls]

Yes, I have. My hognose will only eat if I leave the food. And my Borneo STP is hit or miss with striking, sometimes he does, sometimes I have to leave it for him.
My BP and my King take the prey off the tongs every time though.

Thanks, this is the first time I ever had issues with BP taking from tongs. I know it is probably still a bit stressed from new enclosure, so I will give it another week before trying again. Thanks.

[Craiga 01453]

Thanks, this is the first time I ever had issues with BP taking from tongs. I know it is probably still a bit stressed from new enclosure, so I will give it another week before trying again. Thanks.

Sounds good. And yeah, don't offer too often. It can stress the snake further and be counter productive.
Good luck!

[ryu80]

I have a BP that will only eat if the F/T is left in the tub. I just drop it and then check in the morning and remove if not eaten or else you will have a really bad smelling tub if left longer than overnight. All the rest of mine eat off tongs.

[Bogertophis]

Sometimes this is just a phase they'll outgrow...when the snake grows & gains more confidence, many will eventually learn to accept food from tongs.

[Zincubus]

So the new baby I picked up last Thursday didn't take food last night after settling in for a few days. Temps and humidity are all good 90-91 at hot spot and 80-83 on cool side, humidity is at 65 with two hides. I figure it is still adjusting and I don't want to cause any stress. Was curios if anyone has ever left the F/T food in tank when BP would not take it and possibly find it on its on?

I always leave my new snakes to settle in for a week before offering especially the Royals / Balls who can be a bit mardy ...

I'd try one evening , in dim
light . Wait until he's been settled under a hide for a while then warm up the thawed rodent with a hairdryer.... then INSTANTLY dangle it over the hide entrance..

Repeat the procedure exactly a few times


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[MissterDog]

That is what i figured. I only left it in there for a couple hours. Did not want to leave it in over night. Have you had an success with a BP taking the food that way?

This is how I had to feed my ball python for the first month I had him. I had to cover his cage with a blanket, turn off the room lights and leave the room for him to eat since he was so shy. He always ate within 2-3 hours after leaving his f/t in front of his hide, but not close enough to block him in.

It was definitely a settling in phase. Now he's a confident and total beast! Haha. Ever since he switched to rats he went from a timid private eater to a rat-slamming hunter!

Just be patient <3