New to BP have a few questions

[reptilemom25]

She is young. 67g

I thawed the mouse in tepid water then warmed it in hot until warm to the tough. I checked to make sure it was thawed all the way. She just shied away from the mouse. The reptile show was crazy, and I didn’t get to ask all the questions I wanted.


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[Caali]

She is young. 67g

I thawed the mouse in tepid water then warmed it in hot until warm to the tough. I checked to make sure it was thawed all the way. She just shied away from the mouse. The reptile show was crazy, and I didn’t get to ask all the questions I wanted.


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I know she is young but 67g is normally what hatchlings (hatchling weigh from 40g to 90g) or snakes that are a bit older than hatchlings weigh BUT weight can vary A LOT. For example I got my ball python when he was 4 months old and he only weighed 100g (which is definitely on the smaller side) but he looked fine. It took him 2 weeks to start eating. Now he weighs 800g even after fasting for 2 months and he is just 1 year and 4 months old. Personally I think the food the breeder has been offering to her might have been a little too little for her body.
And I also asked because I was wondering if she has eaten a lot of meals before. Young ball pythons can be like divas. Some just don't want to eat but from what it looks like to me your ball python is simply still stressed. Give her some more time.
Also be sure to use warm not hot water. I learned this on this forum as well but hot water is not a good idea. Take it from someone who accidentally boiled a rat once. The rodent should be warm to the touch just like your skin.

By the way, so am I right if I assume that you don't know whether she ate live or frozen mice?

[Craiga 01453]

Refer to the feeding chart on page 1 of this thread.

A fuzzy mouse is WAY too small for a BP. They eat hoppers right out if the egg for 3-5 meals and are ready for small adult mice.

[reptilemom25]

I know she is young but 67g is normally what hatchlings (hatchling weigh from 40g to 90g) or snakes that are a bit older than hatchlings weigh BUT weight can vary A LOT. For example I got my ball python when he was 4 months old and he only weighed 100g (which is definitely on the smaller side) but he looked fine. It took him 2 weeks to start eating. Now he weighs 800g even after fasting for 2 months and he is just 1 year and 4 months old. Personally I think the food the breeder has been offering to her might have been a little too little for her body.
And I also asked because I was wondering if she has eaten a lot of meals before. Young ball pythons can be like divas. Some just don't want to eat but from what it looks like to me your ball python is simply still stressed. Give her some more time.
Also be sure to use warm not hot water. I learned this on this forum as well but hot water is not a good idea. Take it from someone who accidentally boiled a rat once. The rodent should be warm to the touch just like your skin.

By the way, so am I right if I assume that you don't know whether she ate live or frozen mice?

I was to,d frozen thawed by a pet store associate, didn’t get to ask the breeder. The breeder said they had been fed the Tuesday before I bought on Sunday.


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[reptilemom25]

Refer to the feeding chart on page 1 of this thread.

A fuzzy mouse is WAY too small for a BP. They eat hoppers right out if the egg for 3-5 meals and are ready for small adult mice.

I will get a hopper for her this weekend


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[Craiga 01453]

I will get a hopper for her this weekend


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You can get a small mouse. Hoppers are already too small. Any decent breeder wouldn't have sold the snake before it had eaten 3-5 meals.

[reptilemom25]

SHE ATE!!!! I went by the pet store today and they said they had been on live fuzzies. Brought one home and she took it right away! Will move to bigger next week!

[Craiga 01453]

SHE ATE!!!! I went by the pet store today and they said they had been on live fuzzies. Brought one home and she took it right away! Will move to bigger next week!

Nice! Fuzzy rat??

[reptilemom25]

Nice! Fuzzy rat??

No, fuzzy mouse, but a big one more like hoper size. It makes a noticeable bulge, but I still feel like it was a little small. Their shipment comes tomorrow and stock was low. The small mice they had were getting big and we were scared of a regurgitation.
At least she got a meal in her. I will definitely go bigger next time!

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[Craiga 01453]

No, fuzzy mouse, but a big one more like hoper size. It makes a noticeable bulge, but I still feel like it was a little small. Their shipment comes tomorrow and stock was low. The small mice they had were getting big and we were scared of a regurgitation.
At least she got a meal in her. I will definitely go bigger next time!

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It's definitely too small. I'm not trying to be rude, but I think the people at the pet store aren't giving you quality info. The only reasons they would be feeding a BP any prey that size is A) cheaper to feed smaller prey and B) they stay smaller longer to look cute and increase sales.

People on here have shared that feeding chart, because it's tried and true. You're not doing your snake any favors feeding prey smaller than they can eat fresh out of the egg. Again, not trying to be a jerk, just trying to help you and your BP.

But, your snake, so do what you feel is best...