Our first snake!!

[bumblebee1028]

It's recommended to leave them alone for the first week so that they have time to settle in. Especially when they're young, if they're too stressed, they're less likely to eat. While it's really difficult, I personally would keep handling to a minimum until he's eaten for you at least once. Either way, I'm glad that he seemed to enjoy being out, and great picture!

[Kjewell89]

It's recommended to leave them alone for the first week so that they have time to settle in. Especially when they're young, if they're too stressed, they're less likely to eat. While it's really difficult, I personally would keep handling to a minimum until he's eaten for you at least once. Either way, I'm glad that he seemed to enjoy being out, and great picture!

I'm going to try feeding tonight. Today is the 6th day since being fed... The guy gave me f/t with my snake so hopefully he takes it...


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[supamyk]

So cute! I'm glad the handling went well. Good luck feeding. Keep us posted

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[supamyk]

They look like brother and sister!

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[Kjewell89]

Tried the f/t and let it sit on top of his cage to let him sent it... He was DEFINITELY interested, kept poking his head out and scenting but when i dangled the mouse in front of his hide, he took one look at it and went back in...?? Should I try a live?


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[supamyk]

I changed my girl to live! I hated the whole frozen deal! She wasnt a huge fan either! Many will say frozen because it is safer but I never leave her unattended while eating. She eats like a champ now.

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[supamyk]

Also... consider feeding in a seperate tank. I use a little Rubbermaid bin. Here are my reasons. 1 and most importantly, I dont want her to associate eating with her tank. I am thinking about my girls reaching into the tank to get her.
2. When she goes into the seperate tank, she goes into hunting mode. All she does in that tank is eat. Just my thoughts. Others may disagree. Also, them eating live mice is more natural I feel. Also stops them from associating your hand with food.

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[bumblebee1028]

I would leave the frozen/thawed mouse in his tank overnight. Just put it in front of the hide he's in, and leave it. As it's dead, it won't harm him, and he may just want to eat without an audience. Ideally you don't want to handle him on feeding day, and then 24-48 hours after feeding, so that he isn't stressed before feeding, and then has time to digest his meal. Honestly, we occasionally handle our boys the day of feeding now (for short periods of time). We've had them long enough, and they've been eating regularly, so we don't worry. But with a new baby, I would definitely leave him alone as much as possible until he's eaten for you a few times.

Feeding in a separate tank will cause additional stress from moving him there and then back again. Most recommend feeding in their tank for this reason. They won't associate your hand with feeding unless you only handle them for feeding (you are more likely to get bitten when you handle them right after they've eaten to take them out of the feeding bin and place them back in their enclosure). As long as you don't smell like food, you should be okay. I feed frozen/thawed on tongs, so they don't associate my hand with food. I chose to do frozen/thawed because it's easiest and most convenient for me. You can safely feed live, but if you want him on frozen/thawed, don't give up after one failed attempt (especially because he was handled today). If you leave the frozen/thawed mouse in overnight, and he doesn't eat it, wait 5-7 days and try again. Offering food too often will cause stress.

[Kjewell89]

I would leave the frozen/thawed mouse in his tank overnight. Just put it in front of the hide he's in, and leave it. As it's dead, it won't harm him, and he may just want to eat without an audience. Ideally you don't want to handle him on feeding day, and then 24-48 hours after feeding, so that he isn't stressed before feeding, and then has time to digest his meal. Honestly, we occasionally handle our boys the day of feeding now (for short periods of time). We've had them long enough, and they've been eating regularly, so we don't worry. But with a new baby, I would definitely leave him alone as much as possible until he's eaten for you a few times.

Feeding in a separate tank will cause additional stress from moving him there and then back again. Most recommend feeding in their tank for this reason. They won't associate your hand with feeding unless you only handle them for feeding (you are more likely to get bitten when you handle them right after they've eaten to take them out of the feeding bin and place them back in their enclosure). As long as you don't smell like food, you should be okay. I feed frozen/thawed on tongs, so they don't associate my hand with food. I chose to do frozen/thawed because it's easiest and most convenient for me. You can safely feed live, but if you want him on frozen/thawed, don't give up after one failed attempt (especially because he was handled today). If you leave the frozen/thawed mouse in overnight, and he doesn't eat it, wait 5-7 days and try again. Offering food too often will cause stress.

Thanks! I will leave it overnight although when I went to secure the lid (this cage is temporary until my ap t8 comes in) he was out and about and had totally slithered over the dead mouse haha... We will see what happens

This was how he was when i secured the lid... He went from his hot spot hide to on top of his cool hide


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[Tarotknits]

Did you try warming up the mouse/rat with a hair dryer? My ball Slytherin likes his meals warmed up and hanging just in his reach. Sometimes its just a matter of finding his preference. Milky my milksnake also likes his mice warmed up with the hair dryer. I hold the dryer just above the fur for 10 seconds and move it down the body, flip it over and do the same and then rush them to their noses. It works for me really well. It makes for hungry happy snakes.