Please Help! New BP Owner!

[heathers*bps]

I've heard that feeding in tank is not appropriate if you use aspen bedding, on the theory that the snake can injest bedding with its dinner.

Any truth to this?

A little bit of substrate being swallowed will not hurt your snake. Though there are ways around it. Some people will put the rat on a paper plate, but I guess that only works with frozen thawed. Your snake will do his fine eating in his enclosure, as long as he's not swallowing a mouth full of substrate every meal.

[satomi325]

I've heard that feeding in tank is not appropriate if you use aspen bedding, on the theory that the snake can injest bedding with its dinner.

Any truth to this?

You can feed a snake with aspen. Sure a few pieces may get stuck on the prey as it goes down, but it rarely causes impaction. Think about this, snakes are digesting bones. A little piece of wood shaving is nothing.

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[Kaorte]

I know the OP is probably long gone but I just wanted to add my 2 cents.

There is no single correct way to keep ball pythons, you are right. But there are some general pieces of information that are widely accepted for a good reason, because they work.

There are some general pieces of advice that we often hand out to the inexperienced keepers to help give them the best care for their ball python. We suggest smaller enclosures because most of the time a baby will get stressed in a large enclosure. This can lead to what we perceive as "aggression" or could make your ball python go off feed. We suggest tight fitting hides with a single opening as opposed to half log hides because we have observed that our snakes prefer the added security of a tight fitting hide.

We only suggest these things in an effort to make your life easier and the quality of your snakes life better. All we can do is offer our advice. Whether or not you choose to take that advice is solely up to you.

I wish you the best for you and your pet. If you need help in the future I am more than willing to help.

[BallsUnlimited]

I've heard that feeding in tank is not appropriate if you use aspen bedding, on the theory that the snake can injest bedding with its dinner.

Any truth to this?

remember in the wild the snakes may ingest dirt,leaves etc while it eats so a little bedding shouldnt cause any problem. You could put a paper towel down when feeding if you feed f\t an that may help.

[NightOfTheRaven]

I have calmed down today. I would like to apoligize to those whose feelings I hurt. I really wasn't trying to discard your help, but I was worried and stressed. I have placed some logs and better hiding spots in her tank for her. She still seems uninterested in her food, but hopefully this will change in a few days.

[Kaorte]

I have calmed down today. I would like to apoligize to those whose feelings I hurt. I really wasn't trying to discard your help, but I was worried and stressed. I have placed some logs and better hiding spots in her tank for her. She still seems uninterested in her food, but hopefully this will change in a few days.

Sometimes it takes up to a couple weeks for them to accept changed to their environment, even if they are for the better. Have patience A few weeks without food is no big deal.

[NightOfTheRaven]

Sometimes it takes up to a couple weeks for them to accept changed to their environment, even if they are for the better. Have patience A few weeks without food is no big deal.

Thank you. I know they can fast, but I just want to make sure she isn't going die because of something I could have fixed.

[heathers*bps]

I have calmed down today. I would like to apoligize to those whose feelings I hurt. I really wasn't trying to discard your help, but I was worried and stressed. I have placed some logs and better hiding spots in her tank for her. She still seems uninterested in her food, but hopefully this will change in a few days.

Regardless of how her attitude is or if she's acting weird, I'd still offer food every 7 days. Does she eat frozen thawed or live? If she eats frozen thawed, you can refreeze the prey so you can offer it again next week. I'd personally only refreeze once. If she eats live, I guess that would be a little harder as I'm sure you don't want to keep a rat ( or mouse ) alive for just a week. I know some mom and pop pet stores would allow you to bring a feeder rodent back and give you store credit for the next time.

Also, try giving her a week or so of just being alone, other than spot cleaning and giving fresh water. She might just need some more time to adjust. I hope this helps.

[PorcelainxDoll]

As long as shes acting okay and doesnt sewm to skinnt or lethargic, shell be okay. Just every 5 days keep offering her a mouse fuzzy and try f/t even try live. She will eat when shes hungry and adjysted.just try to not handle her till she has eaten several times for you.

Good luck

[NightOfTheRaven]

I feed her frozen thawed mice. She has never had live. I am trying to breed mice, but because I have two kittens it is very hard. I've had the mice for 5 weeks and I know they have reached sexual maturity, because I got them when they were aroudn 3 weeks old. I think they can smell my kittens and have not bred due to that. I've been offering her food 1-2 times everyday for three days. I usually use some tongs and wiggle it around until she strikes, but lately, everytime a put a mouse near her, she burys her head in her coiled up body and ignores it. Her eyes do look a little cloudy, but I'm not positive of anything. I checked her underbelly really good and looked up pics of scale rot and other sicknesses, and it looks very healthy. No redness or peeling scales of any sort. I just want to be sure she isn't sick. I wash my hands before and after holding her and I disinfected and rinsed her tank very well before placing her in it. So, I am pretty sure she hasn't been exposed to any diseases while in my care. She came from a breeding lab and was in quarintine until now.