Question On Feeding????

[Otto1208]

My new ball python that I have got from a friend has not ate since I have had him. It was three days after I got him and he refused to eat the rat I put in the cage.. Well I got up this morning, and he had tore down some of his plants in the cage?? I wonder is this him telling me he is hungry?? I am going to try and feed tonight... I got some of the feeding tongs, that way the rat is not completely running around the cage. Do you think I should try it...

[starmom]

Knocking over plants, etc., is their body moving around the cage; he's not 'telling you' anything

As for feeding, I would wait about a week before attempting to feed. This allows your snake to become accustomed to the new environment and to feel safe within it

As for tongs with live feeding, I would think this would freak out the rat making the rat far more likely to bite the snake. For the snake I feed live, I just drop the mouse into the tub and she strikes very quickly.

What size rat is it? Please be mindful of live rats and snakes as the rats can do harm once they are of large enough size

[Otto1208]

He has never done this before. He has been in his new environment for over a week.. And soon as I started to pre-scent the room and he came right out??