Ball Python handling/feeding question
I recently bought an adult female "breeder" ball python at a show. I knew she was shy when I bought her, but she seemed to open up after I held her for a while at the show. She seems to be a very healthy snake (plump, clean, and large). The person said she is a proven breeder, and that her last meal was a live, medium rat, even though she does not usually feed live. I dont think the person had her for very long. I tried to let her settle in for a few days (4), but really wanted to see her feed, so I tried a live med. rat in separate container with no luck. I figured that would happen. I hate feeding live! I thumped and froze the rat and tried the thawed rat almost a week later. She struck twice, in defense, i think, so I let her be and threw the rat away. About 5 days later, I tried a live mouse (all the local shop had). I watched her with the mouse for at least an hour in almost complete darkness, but she was not interested. The dilemma seems to be that I refuse to leave her alone with live prey, and she is too shy to eat when I'm around. She is extremely shy, so I haven't been handling her. If I touch or move her, she instantly curls into the ball. I know this is common, and she is probably not eating due to shyness/stress. But my question is: should I handle her a lot and get her comfortable with me so that she is less shy around feeding time? (I bought her as a calm/docile pet, and knew she would need a little work) Or should I leave a prekilled rat overnight? Doesn't that smell terrible, never tried it???? I would love to handle her, but she is never out of her hide box (day and night) and I don't want to stress her out. Ive had her for about 4 weeks now and last feeding attempt about a week ago. Im trying to be patient with her, but would really like to hear from some BP experts about what would be best approach. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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