Need Some Advise

[psdsimon1689]

Hey guys and Gals, Im a new BP owner and i love my Female Jade. She's still a Juvenile and is at 2'4" long. I have her in a Ricky's reptile enclosure with it painted black so she feels more secure. I know its good to handle your PBs but when is the best time to handle them? Whats the best way to get them exercise, or do they even need it? She hasn't been moving a lot recently but has been eating well. I feed her twice a week, Is that good? Medium sized, alive mice and she takes them well. I worry a lot about her and always wonder if Im taking care of her correctly only because I'm new at this. Is there any advice that would be important to know from some owners that had BP's for a while? Thanks, Paul

[Skittles1101]

Feeding twice a week is to much, you're not leaving her enough time to digest, which is probably why she's lethargic. I know my guy always hides and doesn't come out even at night for at least 3 days after a meal. She should get one appropriate size prey item once every 7 days. I handle mostly at night because they are generally sleeping during the day, I'll sometimes let them roam (with me laying on the floor) on my living room carpet and explore for a bit. ALWAYS closely supervised, all hazards removed (including other pets!)

Edit: Oh and here's the caresheet
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

[psdsimon1689]

Thanks for the advice. Ill try feeding her once a week and give her some privacy for a few days after feeding.

[llovelace]

How much does she weigh? Alot of us usually feed every 5 days until the snake reaches 500g or so, then a small rat every 7 days.

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

I think twice a week is pretty close to right depending on the weight. We feed every four days for males up to 500g, females up to 1000g and any female breeders that have laid for us recently to help them rebuild lost weight. Now I will admit we feed with breeding in mind not just as pets but with ball pythons my theory is when they are eating feed them. We all know that at some point they are likely to stop and I figure the extra weight will only help them through the fast.

Not saying it's right but it works well for us.

[VicShell]

It sounds like you are feeding her to small of prey a baby ball can handle pinkie rats when they are first hatched. Mice are for corn snakes not balls IMO feeding every 4 days at that size is fine feed them while they want to eat because they will eventually stop eating it's just what they do. If you go to a pet store that sells rats they will know what a weaned rat is. Good luck and congrats on your new snake.

[psdsimon1689]

Thanks for the help. also is it unusual to have her switch hides from hot to cold side during the day and when you pick her up shes cold

[youbeyouibei]

Thanks for the help. also is it unusual to have her switch hides from hot to cold side during the day and when you pick her up shes cold

She's thermoregulating her temperature depending on what she needs, cool or heat. Snakes have been doing that for millions of years and know what they need in terms of their temps, so I wouldn't stress her moving from one hide to the other, it's perfectly natural. As to her feeling cool, that's a good thing! Your internal temp is approximately 98.6 or thereabouts and since she's a cold blooded reptile, she's going to feel cooler to you than what your body temperature is.

Congratulations on the new animal and on joining the forums!

[psdsimon1689]

Thanks for the welcome! and for the advise. My BP is getting ready to go into shed, Fading colors, reddish belly etc. But i think shes going to shed around the time im going to feed her. should i hold off? and could that be a reason for a snake to not move as much and be a bit lethargic?