ball python first feed tips please :)

[hovercroft]

So today is going to be Sids first fuzzy. He's about 6 months old i think. He seems to of settled in quite well. He is in his hide of a day and actively exploring his enclosure of a night time. I've been told it's best to feed in a separate tub. When I've had him out (this was brief while i was installing a thermostat) he seems very timid. Put him in a clear box but if there was a slight movement towards him he would hide in a ball. So I'm thinking he may not want to feed outside his enclosure. If he doesn't can i leave the mouse on a dish in his viv over night? Or just try again next week? Hopefully the mouse smell will entice him! Any tips or advice would be great thanks

[sho220]

Feed him in the same enclosure. No need to move him to a seperate "feeding" enclosure.

Don't leave any live rodents in with him for longer than a few minutes without checking on them. If he obviously isn't going to eat, remove the rodent.

By the way, a 6 month old ball python should be around 5-600 grams and eating large weaned rats or small rats. A fuzzy isn't going to be much of a meal. Do you have any pics of Sid?

[hovercroft]

http://www.imgur.com/86MYddK.jpeg

http://www.imgur.com/vux5mpK.jpeg

Maybe he is younger maybe 3 or 4 months I'm not sure. It's what i was given to feed anyway
I forgot to say it's a frozen thawed fuzzy. So shall i just dangle it in front of his hide? See if he takes it?

[Evildrdee]

Dangle it, see if he shows any interest. If not you can leave a thawed fuzzy in there for him. Looks like a healthy young guy, fuzzy should be fine as long as its girth doesnt exceed your babys widest girth

[hovercroft]

Okay thanks will be trying after work. The fuzzy is smaller than his widest part so hopefully he will take to it.

[sho220]

http://www.imgur.com/86MYddK.jpeg

http://www.imgur.com/vux5mpK.jpeg

Maybe he is younger maybe 3 or 4 months I'm not sure. It's what i was given to feed anyway
I forgot to say it's a frozen thawed fuzzy. So shall i just dangle it in front of his hide? See if he takes it?

Good lookin dude. 3 to 4 months is probably about right. You can try a fuzzy but he is definitely big enough to take an adult mouse.

Just dangle it in front of him with feeding tongs and do the little rat/mouse zombie dance. Some don't need a whole lot of drama, and some seem to need the dance to get them excited. Just depends. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[hovercroft]

Thanks I will let you know how it goes. I was watching a video the other day that rat zombie dance had me in stitches haha

[33rpm]

Feed him in the same enclosure. No need to move him to a seperate "feeding" enclosure.

Don't leave any live rodents in with him for longer than a few minutes without checking on them. If he obviously isn't going to eat, remove the rodent.

By the way, a 6 month old ball python should be around 5-600 grams and eating large weaned rats or small rats. A fuzzy isn't going to be much of a meal. Do you have any pics of Sid?

500-600 grams for a 6 month old???? What do you feed yours, McDonalds?!

[BoostedMX3]

That's what I'm saying seeing some of the weight threads lately.. Mine is 6months and 180 and perfectly healthy..

I know they all grow at diff rates and that breeders don't typically feed the ones they r going to sell the same they feed their holdbacks but dam I would think that 150-300 grams would be avg healthy weight at 6months looking at the babies at the shows and my own

[33rpm]

That's what I'm saying seeing some of the weight threads lately.. Mine is 6months and 180 and perfectly healthy..

I know they all grow at diff rates and that breeders don't typically feed the ones they r going to sell the same they feed their holdbacks but dam I would think that 150-300 grams would be avg healthy weight at 6months looking at the babies at the shows and my own

My male will be 6 mos. old on the 28th. He should be around 190g by then, according to my calculations. Switching from 7 day feed schedule to 5.