First meal on his own!

[Mettle]

WELL.

I bought a CH baby male ball python on May 6th and thought I knew very well what I was getting into. But, I was a bit over excited and didn't even think of how hard it would be to get this little man to eat. Regardless, loved him from the start:



So as the story goes he wasn't eating, wasn't eating, wasn't eating... I tried a few different ways and nothing worked. Luckily for me, I bought him from someone reputable who said, "Bring him back over and we'll assist feed to get something in his tummy."

So on May 27th I brought him back to where I had purchased him and my little Hektor - what I've decided to name my little guy - was fed three pinkie mice. Not much, but it was something in his stomach.

I was reading that with the babies it's a good idea to feed them every 5 days so last night I was feeding the other snakes - carpet python, corn snakes - and figured I'd try little Hektor with a rat pinkie. I warmed it, went in "quick" in the dark and then drew back (so he might think it was alive) but he was showing no interest. So I left it by the opening to his warm hide where he was chilling. This morning I went to check and sure enough... rat pink is gone!

I can't say how happy I am that he ate on his own! And so soon after being assist fed the other night. I know this is just the first meal that he has taken on his own and it's no guarantee that he'll be taking the next one. However, I'm still happy as can be and it really makes for an awesome birthday present! (Yes, today's my 26th birthday.) Honestly one of the best bday gifts I've ever had... which totally makes me a reptile geek, haha. Whatever, I'm just happy my little man is eating on his own!

PS: It's Bruce's fault I have this ball python! He made me want one!

[Spaniard]

Hey Congrats and Happy Birthday!

I would keep on trying to just leave that prey item on the floor, some bps seem to like being little scavengers better than they like being hunters. I have a female that strikes a handful of meals a year, they rest she gobbles up off the tub floor. Its great for me because I don't need to play rat marionettes

[ballpythonluvr]

Congratulations on the successful feed and Happy Birthday!

[JeffJ]

Happy birthday and congrats

[Mettle]

Thanks everyone for the bday wishes!

I don't think I've been this happy about something reptile-related since I hatched out my first gecko babies last year.