Feeding Issue?

[Delamorajc]

Hi Everyone -

I am a new to owning snakes but no stranger to reptiles. I just picked up 5 Ball Pythons and they all have aclimated fine with the exception of one, my Pastel.

I purchased him on 5/2 and have been trying to feed him Live and F/T since then with no luck. I reailized that the problem may be because he was heading into a shed. While he shed today not perfect, it came off in pieces, I noticed him dulling up a few days after I purchased him so I suspect he has been in shed for a while.

He weighed 395 kg when I purchased him, yesterday we was at 360 KG. I always fed my snakes in a seperate feeding tub but since he would not eat, out of frustration I placed the F/T in his living tub with him and went to sleep. To my surprize this morning the F/T was gone!

Was this the right thing to do or am I opening up a can of worms here for future feedings and frustrations?

Jerry

[rlditmars]

Congrats.

If he ate, then you did the right thing. Each snake is an individual with it's own set of rules especially where eating is concerned. Wait till he goes on a 3 to 6 month fast. That will drive you crazy.

My guess is now that he's taken a meal for you, you may find he'll take a rat next feeding just fine. Just make sure it is warm enough by either putting it in a ziploc bag and soaking it in warm water, or heat it up with a blow dryer. I usually leave them out till they are room temp first and then warm them as I described.

If you have to continue to put it in and leave it over night, what does it matter so long as he eats. The goal is to keep him fed and healthy. I wouldn't consider it a can of worms.

[SRMD]

should blow drying to the rodent so the scent goes towards his feeding area see if this makes him come out or move more or tounge flick etc.. i do this with my ball he seems to come out and take the rodent within seconds, i also make sure i blow dry the head of the rodent to atleast 90+degress

[Rob]

That is the correct thing to do. I have a couple of snakes that will only eat that way. Part of the fun/frustration of owning ball pythons is figuring out their individual eating habits. Also there is no need what so ever to feed in separate containers. So congrats on figuring it out! I would continue feeding your pastel just the way you are.

[SRMD]

That is the correct thing to do. I have a couple of snakes that will only eat that way. Part of the fun/frustration of owning ball pythons is figuring out their individual eating habits. Also there is no need what so ever to feed in separate containers. So congrats on figuring it out! I would continue feeding your pastel just the way you are.

x2 do not feed in individual containers, this could cause him to feel unsafe and stressed and make him not want to eat feed him in his enclosure

[jcoylesr76]

congratz on getting him to eat. my black pastel is very passive when it comes to feeding, just got to drop it in and walk away for a while before he eats it. ( i don't think he even strikes or constricts it), but as stated above no need to switch his location when feeding. .

[RobertVDK]

A couple other things I've done....

Soaking wet, right out of the warm water...a bit messy, but I think the wet fur smell helps.

I've also soaked in chicken broth, then dried with blowdryer...when blowdryer alone doesn't work.

And I had to chuckle at your 395 KG ball python....it'd be eating full grown pigs if it was that big! 395g my friend

[AdamF]

Blow drying for scent?

Snakes pick up that scent from many yards away, in the wild.


I soak my FT in hot water before feeding. Works great

[Annarose15]

Blow drying for scent?

Yes, blow-drying helps prescent the room. Of course, I have BPs now that are up front and watching within seconds of me turning it on, even without a rat in the room!

I know some people don't like the smell of blow-dried rodent, but I never thaw mine in water. I can't stand the thought/sight of rat soup! Not to mention keeping water hot enough to thaw/warm 30 rats at a time.