New Male Ball Python eating schedule

[EHBP]

Hello all,
I recently bought a 1400 gram male piebald (normal) from a breeder. When I brought him home, I let him get acclimated to his new setup for about a week and a half. My rack is on the way but right now he is in a 20 gallon tank with a UTH controlled by a thermostat. Thermostat is set at about 95, but the substrate is usually around 87. I also have the room controlled by a heater with thermostat which is set to 80. Ambient temp inside tank is about 80 and humidity fluctuates around 65-70. Anyways, the breeder said he always fed live small/medium rats. I feed frozen/thawed so after the first week and a half, the snake took down a medium f/t rat. I moved it around the cage a little and tried dangling it but he didn't want to constrict it. I laid it down and came back 45 min later and he was scarfing it down. Since then, he has not eaten (about 3 weeks). Just want to get some input on if maybe a medium is too big and maybe go to f/t small rats? or maybe he is still full? I weighed him when I got him and he was about 1412 grams. As of last week, he was about 1400 grams.

[Craiga 01453]

Yeah, you can go to smalls. Most male BPs never need anything larger than a small. My males are both a little under 1400 grams and get a small every 10-14 days.

Also, you mentioned the substrate temp, you actually want to measure the actual enclosure surface since your BP will push substrate around and end up on the actual surface.

You mentioned you have a rack on the way, do you already have other snakes? If so, are you following a strict quarantine?

[EHBP]

Yeah, you can go to smalls. Most male BPs never need anything larger than a small. My males are both a little under 1400 grams and get a small every 10-14 days.

Also, you mentioned the substrate temp, you actually want to measure the actual enclosure surface since your BP will push substrate around and end up on the actual surface.

You mentioned you have a rack on the way, do you already have other snakes? If so, are you following a strict quarantine?

Ya I was thinking small rats might work better! As for the enclosure surface temperature, I have it set to 95 but it never gets hotter then 93. Should I bring it down to 90? I do have a rack on the way but only have one snake but I will be picking a couple more up within the next 2 months or so. (0.1 desert ghost and 0.1 orange dream het pied). I have a spot for a quarantine rack inside the house but I am planning on keeping all my snake in the garage. I made a thread in regards to a quarantine area in the garage but the quarantine rack/tubs would be in a separate hydro tent. It would be easier for me but im all for taking the proper precautions when it comes to the possibility of mites, RI, etc. I do plan on putting the new snakes through a 2 month quarantine at least by using tubs, separate tools then what I use for my unaffected. Also, working with the quarantine snakes after the im done with the cleared ones. Making sure the new snakes have eaten, passed bowels, and made sure they have no sickness, mites, etc. Any advice for this?

[Craiga 01453]

Ya I was thinking small rats might work better! As for the enclosure surface temperature, I have it set to 95 but it never gets hotter then 93. Should I bring it down to 90? I do have a rack on the way but only have one snake but I will be picking a couple more up within the next 2 months or so. (0.1 desert ghost and 0.1 orange dream het pied). I have a spot for a quarantine rack inside the house but I am planning on keeping all my snake in the garage. I made a thread in regards to a quarantine area in the garage but the quarantine rack/tubs would be in a separate hydro tent. It would be easier for me but im all for taking the proper precautions when it comes to the possibility of mites, RI, etc. I do plan on putting the new snakes through a 2 month quarantine at least by using tubs, separate tools then what I use for my unaffected. Also, working with the quarantine snakes after the im done with the cleared ones. Making sure the new snakes have eaten, passed bowels, and made sure they have no sickness, mites, etc. Any advice for this?

Everything sounds good!! Sounds like you're well prepared!

With smaller meals your BP will stay on a more consistent feeding schedule as well. Larger meals often lead to food strikes.
And yeah, I would bring the hot spot down a bit though. I go 88-89.

[EHBP]

Everything sounds good!! Sounds like you're well prepared!

With smaller meals your BP will stay on a more consistent feeding schedule as well. Larger meals often lead to food strikes.
And yeah, I would bring the hot spot down a bit though. I go 88-89.

Thanks! Ill do that when I get home. What do you think about keeping the quarantine snakes on a rack with tubs inside of a hydro/grow tent inside of the garage with the other snakes? I can even put the cleared ball pythons in a separate tent as well for extra precaution.

[Craiga 01453]

Thanks! Ill do that when I get home. What do you think about keeping the quarantine snakes on a rack with tubs inside of a hydro/grow tent inside of the garage with the other snakes? I can even put the cleared ball pythons in a separate tent as well for extra precaution.

I honestly don't know enough about hydro tents. I don't want to steer you in the wrong direction, so I'm gonna let others help you there. Sorry I couldn't be of any help there.

[EHBP]

I honestly don't know enough about hydro tents. I don't want to steer you in the wrong direction, so I'm gonna let others help you there. Sorry I couldn't be of any help there.

No worries! thanks for the info