New Baby Ball-Feeding

[amandamari]

Hello!
I just a new baby ball python and I have had her in her cage for two days now. She is due to eat because the last time she ate was about a week and three days ago..and this is the first time I'm feeding her.
The people at the pet store say that they have been feeding her mice fuzzies.
I wanted to know, how long should I keep her in the cage with the fuzzie and what should I do if she doesnt eat it. Get a smaller sized one? Wait a few days?

[Brandon27]

Wait a week or so before attempting to feed it, first of all. Let it get acclimated to it's new environment.
Is the fuzzy mouse alive? If so, don't leave it in there with the snake...mice and rats bite! They are smart and know they're on the bottom of the food chain! They'll take a chunk out of your pet in a heartbeat.
If not, try leaving it in there overnight. If that doesn't work, wait another few days and try braining the rat by cutting the skull open with a razor blade...snakes can't resist that! Ball Pythons are notorious for being finicky eaters...just be patient!

[Refused]

Species:
How long have you had this animal?
Ambient Temps:
Basking temps:
Size:
Diet within the past year for snakes--the past 6 months for lizards:
Last time this animal ate:
Frozen thawed/ live/ stunned/ freshly kiled?
Bulbs if any utilized (be as specific as possible--look on bulb to get make and wattage):
Heat sources (makes and wattage):
How are you measuring temps?
Cage size and type:
Substrate:
Symptoms:
Can you upload any pics?
Comments:

fill this out it might help.
There are a few things that you can do. but first have you left is alone the whole time. Balls are a widely shipped market and can be stressed from all the transport. He might have just gotten in even if they said they have had him for a while and feeding fine. Its sounds bad but some stores will stoop to this level. You could warm up the fuzzy, dip it in chicken broth, there is a few other ways you could help out the situation. Just stick around and everyone will be very helpful

[louise]

feed her prey the size of her girth (biggest part of snake)
try some of these tricks
http://redtailboa.net/forums/showthread.php?t=20658

[TammyJamaica]

You've received good advice from Brandon and Refused. They are very experienced!

I am afraid I agree about the pet shops. Most of them are there to make money - that's the bottom line. Some of them will lie to you.

I breed mice for my snakes to eat and kill them myself just before offering them. I do offer a rat to my five foot python about once per month and he enjoys it, but I have a question too for anyone who may know - why is it that rats are better than mice for snake food? Larger bones??? More to squeeze???

[Bangswitch]

Originally Posted by Brandon25

Wait a week or so before attempting to feed it, first of all. Let it get acclimated to it's new environment.
Is the fuzzy mouse alive? If so, don't leave it in there with the snake...mice and rats bite! They are smart and know they're on the bottom of the food chain! They'll take a chunk out of your pet in a heartbeat.
If not, try leaving it in there overnight. If that doesn't work, wait another few days and try braining the rat by cutting the skull open with a razor blade...snakes can't resist that! Ball Pythons are notorious for being finicky eaters...just be patient!

All great info Brandon!! Ive never got one of my hatchling Ball Pythons to eat p/k untill about 3 months old. If you can get it to eat p/k then you are ahead of the game. Hoppers are the best bet for hatchling bp's or braining like Brandon said. You may have to dangle the dead mouse with tongs to entice him. Hope this helps.

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

[Spider Tyrant]

If that doesn't work, wait another few days and try braining the rat by cutting the skull open with a razor blade...snakes can't resist that!

I was still on the thought of live mice when I read this, and found it utterly horrifying.

I have had a ball refuse food only once. I always do the lovely little "Zombie Dance" with my snakes that ate f/t. If you have a properly thawed mouse and do the dance, I doubt your ball will refuse it.

Try to avoid touching the snake with your mouse. That will usually only startle the snake and decrease the likelihood of it eating.

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.