New BP/first feeding

[Srt_529]

Hey people i hope you guys can help me out as much as possible, and give me tips. I have a 4month old ghost ball python from a breeder which i got last week tuesday and my first time feeding was sunday. Hes very mellow and aware when im around and hes a bit curious when i handle him. He ate fine ( a frozen small rat which i measured with the wides part of his body). I gave him time to digest and left him alone and handled him last night which he was ok with. Still alert and all. His warm side of the tank is 85-90 and cool side 78-82 with humidity around 50-60% which sometimes drops to 40's during the day. As i handled him last night i noticed he looked alittle bulded from mid-section down to almost the tail. I dont know if this is normal, or im alittle paranoid since its my first feed and i dont know how they are suppose to look like. Any suggestions?! The first picture is pre feeding and the second was last night( 3days post feed)

[Eric Alan]

...i noticed he looked alittle bulded from mid-section down to almost the tail...

Bulded?

[MontyAndMelissa]

It looks like the prey item was just a little big for him, try moving down just one size. It's hard to not be paranoid. If it doesn't go away and you don't notice any feces in his tank before next feed, wait to feed him. If you still don't notice any feces or the bulge moving, take him to a vet. Since it's only been a few days it's nothing to worry about. Larger prey are hard for smaller snakes to digest.

[Srt_529]

Bulded?

Sorry ment bulged

[Srt_529]

It looks like the prey item was just a little big for him, try moving down just one size. It's hard to not be paranoid. If it doesn't go away and you don't notice any feces in his tank before next feed, wait to feed him. If you still don't notice any feces or the bulge moving, take him to a vet. Since it's only been a few days it's nothing to worry about. Larger prey are hard for smaller snakes to digest.

Ohh ok. Ill check again by saturday before feeding time. Whats smaller than a small rat?

[MontyAndMelissa]

Ohh ok. Ill check again by saturday before feeding time. Whats smaller than a small rat?

use this chart as a basis. When you get the chance weigh your little friend. Take 10-15% of his body weight and use that size prey.

[MontyAndMelissa]

I would try a large mouse. Xtra large might be too big. And are hard to find.

[Srt_529]

use this chart as a basis. When you get the chance weigh your little friend. Take 10-15% of his body weight and use that size prey.

Great! Thanks alot for the visual. Big help.

[Eric Alan]

Sorry ment bulged

Ha! Now I feel silly for asking. MontyAndMelissa's got you covered - it looks like a pretty good sized meal soon to be followed by a pretty good sized clean-up by you.

[MontyAndMelissa]

Great! Thanks alot for the visual. Big help.

Anything I can do to help. Just keep an eye on him. The last thing you want is for him to become impacted.