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  1. #1
    Registered User CharlieThePython's Avatar
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    Need help feeding bp

    About a week ago I got a beautiful male pastel ball python and when I got him he had not eaten for 3 weeks. It has been a week since I introduced him to his new habitat which means its been 4 weeks since his last meal. He has been coming out of his hiding spots a lot at night and I think it might mean he's looking for food. My question is how should I feed him? I know that its good to put him in another enclosure when you feed him so he doesn't start biting when someone reaches into his regular enclosure, but if you pick him up, he looses his appetite. What do i do?

  2. #2
    BPnet Veteran h20hunter's Avatar
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    Re: Need help feeding bp

    Don't pick him up, leave him in his enclosure, and give him something to eat.

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    CharlieThePython (02-06-2015)

  4. #3
    Registered User CharlieThePython's Avatar
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    Re: Need help feeding bp

    Will he get aggressive?

  5. #4
    BPnet Veteran h20hunter's Avatar
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    Re: Need help feeding bp

    Nope. Granted, if your hand smells like a prey he may strike it. However, feeding in take will not make them aggressive.

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    CharlieThePython (02-06-2015)

  7. #5
    BPnet Veteran tbowman's Avatar
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    You stand a bigger chance of being bitten if you move him to a different enclosure. You also lessen the chances of him eating.

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    CharlieThePython (02-07-2015)

  9. #6
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    You do not have to feed in a separate tub. I would like to meet the person who ever came up with this idea.

    No, it is actually better to feed them in his home. BP and most other snakes are at risk of regurgitation if handled after eating, they are also defensive after eating which means higher risk of getting bit... so moving them from a feeding tub back into their enclosure can cause more problems.

    All my snakes are sweet and docile and they are all fed in their enclosure.

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    CharlieThePython (02-07-2015)

  11. #7
    BPnet Senior Member Gerardo's Avatar
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    Question

    You do not have to feed him in a separate tub. It's not necessary. But I also don't think feeding in a seperate tub is as bad as some people think. as far as getting bit and the snake regurgitating it depends on the individual snake. I use to feed in a separate tub when I only had one snake. I didn't like the rat pooping/peeing in my snake's tub. I did this for the first few months. Never missed a meal never got bit and never had a regurgitation. But like I said every individual snake is different. It's just faster to feed him in his own tub. Especially if you have multiple snakes.

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  13. #8
    BPnet Lifer Sauzo's Avatar
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    I've been feeding my 6ft red tail boa in her enclosure for 2 years the only time she has tagged me was when she was little and I startled her, and that was just more of a headbutt, not an actual bite. Needing to switch them to a different tub for feeding is a myth. Neither my ball python or my boa get excited when I open the doors except when I boa wants to come out to play, then she will fly out and up my arm to come out. The only time they go into feeding mode is when I have a rat in the room and they smell it, then all bets are off as my ball python will stand up like a little cobra looking for the rat and my boa will coil up in the front of the door waiting for the rat.

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    CharlieThePython (02-07-2015)

  15. #9
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    I feed my BP live in his home. He has never taken a strike at me or even postured like he might. Don't smell like food and don't have an association between your hand and food. I always wash my hands before and after handling. My guy gets interested in my activity by his cage around feeding day. He usually is interested before I open the box. I've reached in to pick him up every week for the 2 months I've had him and he just lets me pick him up, never tried to strike me. After feeding I leave him alone for 2 days. I always feed late afternoon/evening due to work which is better for the snake. I don't bother him until the second evening other than a quick look for temp,humidity readings.
    1.0 Fire Ball Python (Mushu)

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    CharlieThePython (02-07-2015)

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