Switching hatchlings to F/T?

[loonunit]

The only reason I did this was because the tub is filled with crumpled newspaper to make the snake feel secure. I was afraid that the mouse would hide in the newspaper or the snake would constrict the paper and eat some. Would it be a good idea to remove the newspaper before feeding?

Thanks,
Benek

Nah, if the crumpled paper magic is working, just leave let the snake eat and hunt around it. A lot of shy ball pythons like to wait for prey to wander past their hides, and then quick grab it and pull it inside. The Doorway To Death, it's like a horror movie. But if it makes the ball python feel more secure, then fine.

I do actually hold the live hopper mice by their tails, just like I would f/t prey. Usually not the first time, because the hatchlings do have to think about it some, and it helps if the mouse is hopping around. But once they start eating they usually get pretty hungry, and they'll just pluck the live mouse right out of my hand as I'm lowering to them. But I'm using my hands, not tongs, which is a bit easier on the mice. (Bigger live mice will sometimes turn around and bite me if I try this, so I use gloves, or just drop them straight in. But hoppers generally don't.)