When to Offer First Feeding

[frankykeno]

Just need some confirmation/advice please.

We got Baby yesterday (Monday, May 3/05). She's about 2 1/2 months old and seems in great shape. She (or he who knows at this point) has eaten and shed well from all reports, looking very shiney and no retained shed.

All things considered, we feel we should wait about a week to allow Baby to settle in before offering food for the first time, considering she's just shed? I observed her drinking which was nice to see. We are, of course, not handling her at all right now.

As well, can I have a quick primer on how to decide what is the right size rat or mouse to offer her. We were thinking about 2/3 the size of her at the biggest girth area but is that a good ball park estimate?

Do most baby ball pythons show signs of hunger, like roaming the cage or going into a strike position?

Having read that BP's don't usually eat while in shed, how long after the shed is complete do most of them resume their normal eating pattern?

Last question....since Baby has been feed mice should we stick with that so not to stress her unduly during the first feed or just try for a rat pup. Since she's so young will it make much difference what is offered this first time?

Thanks in advance for all your help folks (and your continuing patience with the long posts and tons of questions ).

~~Joanna~~

[Adam_Wysocki]

As well, can I have a quick primer on how to decide what is the right size rat or mouse to offer her. We were thinking about 2/3 the size of her at the biggest girth area but is that a good ball park estimate?

An adult mouse is fine.

Do most baby ball pythons show signs of hunger, like roaming the cage or going into a strike position?

A healthy baby ball python should be hungry all the time. The strike position could be hunger or could be nervousness.

Having read that BP's don't usually eat while in shed, how long after the shed is complete do most of them resume their normal eating pattern?

Same day is fine.

Last question....since Baby has been feed mice should we stick with that so not to stress her unduly during the first feed or just try for a rat pup. Since she's so young will it make much difference what is offered this first time?

Stick with what your snake knows. It's more likely to eat something with a scent that it recognizes. Contrary to popular internet lore, rats are not a requirement for a healthy ball python. I have many adults that eat mice and are extremely healthy and fantastic breeders.

-adam

[tigerlily]

Yes I think a week is a good amount of time to wait until you feed her. That way baby's settled and ready for dinner. You might want to keep feeding her what she's used to for a couple weeks until you are sure she's a good eater and then offer her what you want.

Poking their head out of their hide is one sign that they are ready for a meal. That's what mine does. She'll even start searching the cage if she's really ready for food. Oh and just to confuse you, my bp will eat when she's blue and ready for shed. Hasn't turned down a meal yet. Lucky me!!! You just kinda gotta figure out what works best for Baby! GOOD LUCK!

[JamminJonah]

I waited a full 7 days when I got my little guy. I just made sure the temps and humid were staying solid and made sure the cage stayed clean and water dish full but left him alone as much as possible. Perhaps it's my overly cautious nature haha - just wanted to reduce stress as much as possible. Even after waiting 7 days it took 7 more for him to take the mouse (first feed was unsuccessful).
:o)

[frankykeno]

Just to clarify, Baby isn't going into a strike position or anything. She's actually been very mellow when I change her water or peek under the hide to just make sure she's okay. Not flinching or acting wierd or anything. I just was wondering if there's signs of impending hunger to watch for (worry wort me LOL).

We have a frozen mouse in the freezer for her first feed but my gosh it looks kinda big compared to her. I mean this is one BIG mouse, not some lil thing.

If we are concerned it might be too much for her should we just keep it for another time and get a smaller mouse? What I'm asking is....will Baby take this prey item and then find it "too much" for her or do they just know better? If she starts to try to swallow a mouse that is too big, can it injure her in any way?


~~Joanna~~

[SatanicIntention]

They usually move about more when they are hungry. If it is a little bigger than her widest point, then I doubt she will have any problem. Just imagine that mouse stretched out like it's diving, LoL. They look much smaller that way.