New Snake trying to get him on F/T

[KillerofGods]

I just got a new Ball Python a little while ago and was wondering what is the best way to get him on F/T. He seems a tad skinny (still healthy, I just like fat snakes) so I have been trying to get him eating a little bit earlier then a week but he seems too skittish so I think that was a mistake. If he still isn't eating in a week or two should I just throw in a live mouse to make sure he doesn't starve? I haven't been handling at all to reduce any amount of stress on him.

Any tips and tricks would be appreciated!

[chrid16371]

What was he eating before you got him? If he was on live before then feed him live until he eats 4-5 times for you and then start switching to f/t. If he was on f/t before it may just take time for him to settle in. It took almost month for my male to take a rodent from me and he still wouldn't eat every feeding day. Sometimes it was every 2 weeks he would eat and sometimes 3. Now he eats every 5 days like clock work. My last 7 feedings have been successful. Just be patient.

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[KillerofGods]

The store I got him from hadn't fed him yet so idk what the breeder was feeding him. I did get him from petsmart cause I just wanted a normal (since I personally like darker colored snakes and like how normals look.) I'm only impatient cause it is young and he doesn't have much weight to lose if he were to fast. I also have never fed a snake F/T and I know BPs can be picky so was curious if there any tips people use to encourage their snake to eat F/T.

[KillerofGods]

Oh on a side note I have my thermostat on top of my uth and set at 90 degrees F but the substrate (aspen) on top of that is colder can I safely raise it a bit so it'll hit up the tub and substrate a bit more? I was thinking about 95 so if he somehow managed to get below the substrate it should still be safe for him.

[CloudtheBoa]

It's healthier for a snake to be a tad skinny than a tad fat, despite however you may prefer it.

As far as switching, just keep offering and eventually he'll take it. With my bp, offering my rats/mice warm over the entire body helps. Sometimes he'll take it if I leave it in the enclosure. Took me 1.5 years to switch mine after ~6 years of eating live, so my best advise is persistence.

[KillerofGods]

[QUOTE=CloudtheBoa;2441375]It's healthier for a snake to be a tad skinny than a tad fat, despite however you may prefer it./QUOTE]
I knew you can overfeed snakes but didn't know that bit of advice so thanks! <3

[SiXandSeven8ths]

. Took me 1.5 years to switch mine after ~6 years of eating live, so my best advise is persistence.

Did she just not eat for a year and a half? I don't think mine will survive long if I can't get him to eat.

[CloudtheBoa]

No I gave him live a few times. He probably would have taken f/t sooner if I had just stuck it out and didn't offer anything else.

The longest fast he had was 8 months but I don't think that was during the time I was trying to switch him.


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[DennisM]

it's really not that tricky. as others have stated, if it's been fed live it would be best to continue that for a few feeding in it's new home as it settles in. the fewer changes the better. almost all will take f/t without hesitation. I've never had an issue with this.

[DennisM]

if the snake is a hatchling, you need to make sure it feeds. this is more important than making the switch.