Hi,
I am getting my first ball python in a couple of weeks. He is older, and around 4 1/2 feet and I am buying him from a guy on craigslist.

I have been emailing the guy asking about the snakes eating habits and he says that

"Feeding all varies. Winter he's a pain. Barely eats because his body slows down. But when he's consistently eating it could be every one to three months depending on him. I've always fed him in the same tank he's kept in and always live rats. Never had a pair of tongs to use. I always took the two climbing logs out when I was going to feed him for him to stretch and eat easily."

I asked again if he really only eats every one to three months to which the guy said

"Yup that's about it. The spring and summer is when he eats the most. I've gone 6-8 months without feeding him before because he just won't eat sometimes. Dunno what it is. Not like he's unhealthy that's just that way it's gone."

does this sound normal to you? when I get the snake I will try and wean it onto dead food. I am also going to feed it outside of the cage.
Thankyou