HELP!!! first time feeding my ball python

[aceboogie09]

i just bought a bp from the pet store, really nice. i got him monday and today is tuesday, all he does is sit in his hid and chill. which i hear is common. the guy i got him from feeds him every tuesday. its tuesday and i got him yesturday and he wont eat, is this becuase of his new home and the change in his environment? some one PLZ help!!!!!!im getting worried and frustrated,

when should i try and feed him?
how should i do it?
what do i do with the live rat i got?

many questions.

ace

[TMoore]

I would wait a week for him to settle into his new surroundings and try again next tuesday. If he doesn't eat then wait another 7 days. A stressed bp will not eat.

You can feed him in his enclosure. Pre-scent the room by leaving the rat in a tub next to your snakes enclosure for about 30 minutes. When you see him with his head sticking out of his hide you know he's ready. Just drop the rat in on the opposite side of the snake and continue to watch to make sure he gets a good hold on the rat. NEVER leave a rodent unattended in your snake enclosure.

As for the rat, it looks like you have a new pet for the next week.

In the mean time you can check your husbandry and make sure everything is spot on.

[Dave763]

First don't worry. Ball pythons can miss a meal or two before they settle in to their new home.
Rat's need water bottles, rat food, bedding, an enclosure...maybe easier to kill and freeze the rat. You can try again in a week or so.

Congrats on your new ball python.