Hey all...

Glad to be here and have got plenty of assistance and answers to my questions! Thank you again! I'm new to having a python, and I have been reading, reading, reading! Just got the enclosure all squared away, ambients, humidity, gradient, and hides/basking as well as bedding are all doing great! Got a full shed out of it after only having it after 4 days! The proof is in the pudding I would say LOL

So, with that out of the way...I was curious on some things for feeding.

Some folks say feed in enclosure, others say don't...I'm not here for an argument; plenty of those going on elsewhere LOL I would just like to know some opinions on that topic. I would also like some guidance on how to offer fuzzy rats now instead of the F/T adult mice the snake was on for about 2 weeks at the store. I'm going to go live feeding as well with the fuzzy rats. I know I need to get a prey item that is as big or slightly larger than the largest/highest girth area of my snake. I've read studies and info where the snakes actually had exponential growth patterns over a ball that feeds on hoppers or full size mice. I also have read where rats are like "snake candy"; some also say that it is hard to make the transition from F/T mice to live fuzzy rats. I figured that to start it out on rats, a fuzzy would be just the right size in comparison to a full size or hopper mouse.

What can I expect here after having the snake for about 8 days now?

The snake has acclimated well it seems so far: plenty of hiding, moving from temp grade to temp grade hides, exploring at night, drinking water, and now just kind of basking on the floor of the enclosure, which shows some confidence in the environment, and not being afraid I'd say? Snake was handled briefly last night after day 7 for about 5 minutes and seemed to be very curious and not real finicky. As the snake started to move a little more and noticeably started to look for a hide, I put it back and all is well. We offered food when we got it home; this was its feeding day according to the feed sheet, just in the small-off chance that it might of eaten....it did not, so away in the enclosure it went to wait for this Tuesday, but as I said, I did get it out for a brief time just to get it acclimated to being handled prior to feeding it. The snake now seems to have some confidence in me, as it will now go from one hand to the other when i offer it under the head...didn't really do that before when we first got it.

Any tips would be great...I'm also curious as to how I gauge the appropriate time to feed...I've read 4-5 days for babies and juveniles adjusting size of prey accordingly, and then adults once every 5-8 days?

A few more questions: How do I determine when the snake will need to switch to a small rat etc...Is this just the simple girth test theory again here? And, should I continue to offer feeders one after another until the snake refuses or I reach 4? Idk how this snake is going to take...I know it hasn't ate in 2 weeks and it had a shed, so I'm sure its pretty hungry!!

Thanks all....let it rip! LOL