The truth about feeding BPs. Help!

[Dragon Queen]

I really want a BP. I have had reptiles before (kingsnake, cornsnake, Bearded dragon, leopard gecko) so I have some knowledge. I like to do lots of research beforehand, which I did. I've looked at many sites, browsed the forum, talked to the reptile specialty store people, people in the local pet stores.....

I had 2 people help me while picking out my snake (from a reptile specialty store), and the second person made me feel very discourage about ever getting it to eat frozen/thawed. I would really rather not feed live, and he was saying maybe a BP is not for me. I know that is a risk with all snakes, but no one has led me to believe it is as hard as he made it sound. I talked to the reptile person at our local pet store, who made it sound easier, the impression I had been given by the caresheets I read and the first person who had helped me.


I guess my question is how hard is it to feed frozen/thawed as a generalization with Ball Pythons. Is it really quite tricky? Do most refuse?

I know if the temperatures are perfect, and you maybe pre-scent, or move the prey as well as warming it that can help with other kinds of snakes. Is the same true with Ball Pythons? Any other advice?

I have seen people saying their snakes eat F/T around this forum, and I know these are considered a good beginner snake, so I can't imagine it is so impossibly hard.

At this point I am thinking of getting the snake, trying my very hardest to feed it frozen thawed, and if it won't feed it live while still trying to switch it over.

Thanks,

Draba


ETA: I think I should also add that I will be getting a baby.... I found the most amazing little pinstripe, but the snake is only on hold for the rest of the day. They did say I can pay for 1/2 the snake, and they will try to feed it hot and dead, and if it won't give me store credit. I think I would just take the snake anyways....

[ptate]

it's not impossible to train a ball python to eat frozen thawed but it can be frustrating for a beginner if your snake refuses to eat. My advise would be to purchase a snake that is already eating frozen thawed.

[OhhWatALoser]

it depends on the snake, I have some that eat frozen, some that don't. the more "shy" eaters that won't take a rodent out of my hand will only eat live, any of my aggressive feeders eat frozen no problem.

ask to see the snake eat, if it will take it right out of your hand, chances are it will take frozen. or just try frozen and see what happens. most of my ball pythons eat frozen tho.

[L.West]

But, keep in mind that just because you purchase a snake that is already eating f/t - that doesn't mean that any time in the future they decide they won't touch f/t any longer - this happened to me, I now have two that will only take live feeders - that is when they feel like eating period!!!! BP's can be very frustrating in the feeding department.

You just can never be certain with this sort of thing in a BP - they tend to be very finicky and stubborn - lol

Good luck with your decision.

[Marc from CT]

It was very easy for me..The people here on bp.net help me make the switch from live to F/T ....Maybe i was just lucky. Hold back a meal or two and stess over it....good luck

[Powerspythons]

I would say go for it, I just started keeping/breeding BPs this year and I have had no problem switching most of my snakes over to F/T. However there are a few that are just that finicky, which surprisingly are the snakes that I was told by the one selling them that they only fed F/T.. but anyways, if you're getting a hatchling it is usually not too hard to switch them to F/T.

[JLC]

I only have four...so my pool of personal, hands-on experience is relatively limited. But all four of mine eat f/t without any issues, and have since each one came home.

My own view is that if you start off with a young, still-growing ball python that has already proven to be a strong eater...they will have a very high likelihood of switching easily to f/t.

[iCandiBallPythons]

My entire collection is on f/t, never had a prob switching any to f/t, I just have my own system.

[rabernet]

Buy from a breeder and get them to switch to f/t for you.

HOWEVER, you must be open to feeding live if your animal decides to stop feeding on f/t.

[Dragon Queen]

Thanks for the help everyone. It is reassuring to hear so many people confirm what most of my research has told me. I have decided to get the snake, and he is staying at the reptile store for about a week to see what success they can get with feeding him. I had called a few hours earlier to check in, and ended up having to call back, and got the news that he accepted a frozen mouse that had been warmed. I think that is a really good sign, and it certainly increases the chances that I will have success at home.


rabernet: Don't worry. I would not get a snake if I weren't willing to feed live. I really would prefer not too, since it is dangerous for the snake, more work, and generally tough on me (I would feel sorry for the mouse.) I would never starve my snake though, so if at any point it wouldn't eat frozen/thawed despite my best efforts, I would go with the live mice.