Behaviour of ball python in feeding mode

[vivi]

Young ball pythons are prone to stress and defensive behavior. Stop handling her until she is eating weekly for at least a month. Then do not handle her until 48 hours after she has eaten.

Do keep in mind that young ball pythons shed frequently as they grow--this can take over a week-and during this time some of them will refuse meals.

Offering food repeatedly creates stress and makes it less likely for the snake to accept the prey item. Only offer once/week-if you get a rejection-then do not offer again until the following week.

Do get a scale and do measure the prey item to make sure it is enough food relative to the weight of the snake. There are multiple feeding charts available online-they are good for guidance.

Your hot spot created by a UTH should not exceed 32.2C (90F). Your ambient temperature should not fall below 25.5C (78F). Both heat sources should be regulated by thermostats. Small ball pythons are forgiving with temperature variation in a large enclosure, large ball pythons in a small enclosure are not.

As for behavioral cues regarding hunger: I ignore them. I stick to a schedule. Over time you can start to identify a pattern with each individual ball python.

I agree completely.

In terms of handling, before the first successful meal, I handled her twice, the 2nd day I got her, and the 4th. I left her alone for the day that I was going to feed her. After her first meal, I left her alone for 2 days. After the two days, I've handled her about every other day aside from the days I've tried to feed her.


My husbandry is definitely up to par. I keep a hot side of 34 degrees celsius, ambient of 26, and cool side of 22. I know thats a little bit cold but I live in Alberta, Canada. I do use a room heater to keep the room temperature to 23 from time to time(mostly for me because it can get pretty cold). I've got a single entrance hide on each side, a water bowl, a climbing branch and foliage with enough ground space for her to stretch out. Her humidity ranges from 70-80%. I know 80 is a little on the high side but I find that when its lower she will hide under the damp towel that I use to keep up the humidity rather than using the other hides in her enclosure. .

One, you should wait at least a week before handling her after you´ve gotten her. Transportation is very stressful for snakes and you should let them settle in before even considering handling them. We are past that now though. Do not handle her the day before feeding, the day of and two days after. Until she is feeding regularly, wait 2 or more days and then you can begin handling.

Two, as mentioned above, your husbandry is not ¨definitely up to par¨.

Three, STICK TO A SCHEDULE. Don´t just feed your snake whenever they ¨seem hungry¨, that will prove to be problematic.

The advice Lord Sorril gave is correct, I advise you to follow it.