Feeding a New Python (Help)

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Wags1

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Hi to all, My son and I just got our first snake yesterday, a very pretty Jungle python (my avatar), its 14mth old and feeding on small rats. It's last feed was 2 days before Christmas so it is very hungry. The yougn guy in the shop yesterday said not to feed it (still waiting for the sex) for a few days after getting it home.

Is there any reason if it is comfortable that it cant be fed? It is moving around quite well, under a hide rock in the day but last night was out and about looking around. it dosent seem stressed, but when we handled it this morning you could tell it wants a feed.

So, Can I feed it later today? or is it best to wait another day or two?

Cheers.
 
If he is active and moving around then i reckon he would take one. I had a spotted who ate a mouse a few hours after getting home
 
Some snakes settle into there new enviroment straight away, while others can take weeks-months.Theres no reason why not to,try and feed it once its roaming around,usually during darkness there more active......Best of luck....MARK
 
Thanks for the replies, We will give it a try this evening.

I spent 6 weeks building the enclosure, have a nice rock wall and a branch (need more though i reckon), it's a 4 foot so big enough.
 
He's not VERY hungry until he's not been fed for 6 months! He may be interested in food, so give it a go. Don't push the issue, if you don't get a full-on feeding response immediately, just wait for a few more days, I'd wait at least a week personally, just to get things going without hassle.
 
I thought I'd let all interested in what happened???

Well I tried to feed it on the evening of the 5th......It did not go well, I tried to wiggle the rat with some tongs and the snake looked like it was frightened of it. I left the rat in the enclosure on the floor for about an hour and it still didn't take it.

The snake was up on the rock wall where it sleeps sometimes, curled up!! I didn't want to press the feeding and stress it so I gave up and threw out the rat as I wasn't sure if I can refreeze it??? Can I ???

So I decided to wait and monitor it and the environment for a few more days.

Over the last couple of days it has been very active at night, on his pole and wall and seemed to be "looking" for a feed.

Tonight (the 10th) I waited for an hour or so after it woke, and wiggled the rat with tongs, it had a poke at it and went back to rock wall again, I left it on a ledge near his pole and within 5 min it snapped it up, Awesome!!!

Thanks to all for the advice.
 
Good to hear its going well then!
and no dont refreeze the rats!
 
I gave my bredli a feed on the day i got it, it was byting everything on site and was very very active, it ate straight away and shed 2 days later.... some snakes are different tho, mine just settled in real easy
 
Not the best idea to feed your snake while its in shed mode as the buldge in the stomach can cause some problems with the shed can leave some patches of skin left on the snake
 
Not the best idea to feed your snake while its in shed mode as the buldge in the stomach can cause some problems with the shed can leave some patches of skin left on the snake

I was worried too, but she was quite persistent, and I thought she wasn't due to shed for at least a week or two. anyway lol
 
So how can I tell that it is in "shed mode"? It last shed on the 6/12/09, It's skin colour has lost a bit of shine and the yellow has dulled.
 
it took me several months of trying befor my bhp would actually take a feed from me otherwise id just have to leave it in his enclosure now he eats anything... including my pillows on occasion...and will take feeds readily hes even caught one mid air!!! (still trying to get a pic guys but it was a total fluke me thinks)
 
that a good sign that hes coming up for a shed the signs are

1. it has been about 3 months since his last shed (most snakes shed once every three months depending on feeding)

2. milky eyes (these go away a couple of days before the actual shed)

3 dulling colours (wait till you see him after a shed)

4. very agressive (not always tho but usually)
 
I recently purchased a pair of Blonde Macs from Snakeranch. They were born 19th November and I picked them up on 22/12.

The female shed on 23/12 with no issues. (nice clean shed)

I left them for 3 days before offering the first feed on Christmas day (thought it would be a nice present for them). The male ate no problems. The female refused.

Each time subsequent both the female and the male have refused. They both seem active so no problems there. The male has also since refused twice.

I am not 100% sure of the correct process so I offer them a feed and they have a sniff but dont seem interested. I then place the pinky in the cage and leave it for the rest of the night/day (up to 12 hours) and then dispose of it if not eaten.

Should I be concerned or just continue to offer every 2-3 days and see what happens?

I was under the impression that hatchlings should feed weekly but from reviewing various discussions it is not always the case.

They are my first exposure to hatchlings as both the coastal and the Darwin eat no problems every 10 days or so. (very hard to keep snakes in synch when they slough etc at different times...but trying to keep it consistent as it is easier to do a weekly or 10 days feed cycle)
 
I recently purchased a pair of Blonde Macs from Snakeranch. They were born 19th November and I picked them up on 22/12.

The female shed on 23/12 with no issues. (nice clean shed)

I left them for 3 days before offering the first feed on Christmas day (thought it would be a nice present for them). The male ate no problems. The female refused.

Each time subsequent both the female and the male have refused. They both seem active so no problems there. The male has also since refused twice.

I am not 100% sure of the correct process so I offer them a feed and they have a sniff but dont seem interested. I then place the pinky in the cage and leave it for the rest of the night/day (up to 12 hours) and then dispose of it if not eaten.

Should I be concerned or just continue to offer every 2-3 days and see what happens?

I was under the impression that hatchlings should feed weekly but from reviewing various discussions it is not always the case.

They are my first exposure to hatchlings as both the coastal and the Darwin eat no problems every 10 days or so. (very hard to keep snakes in synch when they slough etc at different times...but trying to keep it consistent as it is easier to do a weekly or 10 days feed cycle)

Just give Marilyn at Snake Ranch a call. They offer great post-purchase support and will be able to give you expert advice, as well as the benefit of having the original feeding records on hand.
 
he must be starvin, ive fed snakes on the day they arrive before no probs,...if he doesnt take it, well thats a couple of bucks wasted and doesnt matter.
 
Normally I would but I know she is snowed under at the moment with all the deliveries etc.

Just wanted to know from others with hatchlings...from my (limited) experience it seems no 2 snakes are alike but was just concerned how long can hatchlings go without eating. (i,e the female has not eaten now since 14/12...but from others replies this is not a big deal with snakes but is it with youngish hatchlings...i.e when should I be worried?)
 
he must be starvin, ive fed snakes on the day they arrive before no probs,...if he doesnt take it, well thats a couple of bucks wasted and doesnt matter.

Cost is not an issue with the pinkies..they are only around $1 or so each...and I know once I get them into a routine it will be o.k.
 
when i got my first snake he escaped his tank the first night and i called the breeder to find out how long he could live without food.

he'd had 5 feeds with the breeder and the breeder said hed be ok fro 6-8 months,..

so u have ages. :)
 
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