Switched to F/T -- Too Large?!?! - Some Concerns - Please Advise

[Crazy4Herps]

Ball pythons are funny when it comes to food in general. I'm very glad yours is taking f/t rats! That's certainly more than can be said about some. I have seen this behavior (only eating f/t when it is left in the cage overnight or for a period in the dark) in several snakes. I don't entirely understand it, but as keepers we have to figure out the individual snake's needs and preferences and go with what works. Not every snake is going to be the same, and the guidelines you typically read for feeding f/t do not apply to all snakes.

Can I be doing something wrong?

Nope, you're doing everything fine.

Is it ok if I stick with the 40g small frozen rats every 7 days since he successfully ate them 2 times, and they are still about the same girth as the snake

Absolutely. Also, in regard to your most recent post, it is normal to see a dramatic increase in girth immediately after switching to larger food.

Also, does everyone offer the rat with tongs or a hemostat, or just place it in the cage on top of their hide or something, so the snake can get it on their own when it is ready?

Depends on the snake. Most of mine only take food from tongs, though some will only eat f/t if they are left alone with it in the dark (I typically place a towel over the cage if I need to do work in the room). And my boas really don't care either way; they're pigs.

And by the sounds of it, I don't think you really need hemostats, if he won't take food from tongs anyway? I just use salad tongs for feeding ball pythons, I've never had any issues with a ball going after my hand during feeding.