Should I attempt to feed on Saturday

[Jay_Bunny]

We purchased Xefaud and Sadis on Saturday August 25th. Should we attempt to feed a hopper to each of them on Saturday? And it was recommended to us that thier first two feedings be live and then try and start making the switch over to F/T.

[Jonny2184]

I'd say trying a Pre-killed... so it's still warm... and then work your way to F/T.

[ivylea77]

A frozen thawed prey can still be "warm".

[ivylea77]

Why not feed how you were recommended? I'd rather illicit a strong feeding response right off the back. Once their settled and eating well then try switching to the style you prefer.

[Jonny2184]

A frozen thawed prey can still be "warm".

Yea I know but I kinda find it different because they are not only warm on the outside but on the inside as well... It takes a while to get a F/T to the right temps....
But you are correct!
That's a great idea getting that good feeding response first! Do er up!

[Jay_Bunny]

I think we will try the live first. As for pre-killed, I've never killed a mouse before and I do not know how to do it properly. I wouldn't want the hoppers to suffer because of my inability to kill them in a humane way. (And please do not tell me to just whack them against a wall.)

Thanks for the answers! Hopefully, Sadis and Xefaud will be enjoying a nice plump hopper each, on Saturday.

[Brimstone111888]

When I first got my BP he was originally eating live and the first week I said heck if he doesn't eat it I wasted $1.50. Well he ate it within seconds and has never looked back.

[Jay_Bunny]

I've heard that some ball pythons eat strictly live prey. Is this true? I would rather have them on F/T as that is what our other two snakes eat and it would be so much easier to just order frozen online or get frozen from expos.

[ivylea77]

I wouldn't want the hoppers to suffer because of my inability to kill them in a humane way. (And please do not tell me to just whack them against a wall.)

Here Here

There are easy ways of properly euthanazing prey items like with co2, and many links throughout the feeders section explain how with dry ice or co2 canisters.

BPs can be picky and your feeding style is your personal preference, just be prepared that no matter what you try and how you try it some BPs will not take F/T. They all have thier quirks and differing personalities

[J.Vandegrift]

I've heard that some ball pythons eat strictly live prey. Is this true? I would rather have them on F/T as that is what our other two snakes eat and it would be so much easier to just order frozen online or get frozen from expos.

I think they all will eat F/T, but getting some to feed consistantly on F/T is the problem. I feed pretty much all of my snakes live and they all usually eat every week. Many snakes will take F/T just fine, but there are some picky eaters that if you ever want to get any size on them live is the only way to go.