Feeding Question

[romeosidvicious]

Coming from having corn snakesI feed F/T in feeding tubs as there is concern about the snake ingesting the substrate. I use aspen bedding and that's what I've used for our new b-p addition. I have seen quite a few posts saying in viv feeding isn't a problem but I want to cover all my bases before attempting to feed this little one.

[romeosidvicious]

As a follow up is there a technique to switch from live to f/t? He's been on live hopper mice and I'd really prefer to feed f/t and move to rats as quickly as possible based on what I've been reading.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Feeding inside the cage is fine, substrate ingestion has the possibility of becoming an issue, but it is very rare for it to do so.

I've had success transitioning BP's from live to frozen by using fresh killed as a step in-between live and frozen.

After a few consecutive successful live feedings, try offering a fresh killed rodent. After a few consecutive successful fresh killed feedings try offering a frozen thawed rodent.

[romeosidvicious]

I'll go that route. I'm slightly unnerved about doing the killing myself but I suppose it'll get easier with time.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I'll go that route. I'm slightly unnerved about doing the killing myself but I suppose it'll get easier with time.

It should only be a few times, and there are some very humane ways to do so. I prefer the CO2 method. It's simple and the rodents just fall to sleep and don't wake up when done properly. No pain, no panic, just sleep.

The important thing when using CO2 (either in gas form or via dry ice) is to start the flow out slowly so they fall asleep, then once they are down, increase the flow to finish them off. If you start them off with too much gas it will burn their lungs/eyes.

Here are 2 methods:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...and-Humane-too

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...Y-CO2-chamber)

[KMG]

I have had snakes switch directly from live to frozen. If your snake has a good feeding response I would try the direct switch. Just make sure they are presented very warm.