Feeding success! (THANKS, JEFF!)

[Spirit]

So I've been paying more attention to my ball since all these "how to know when your ball will eat" threads, and thanks to all the many tips from several of you experienced ball owners, my snake just tagged his first rat... and not just tagged it, but within seconds of my offering it!

I've had him for just about a month now, and I've always had to "assist feed" as he just WILL NOT go for the meal. He ate on monday, but he's very small for his age, and I mistakingly bought pinks instead of pups so I've been "assist feeding" every 5 days. I had planned on doing this JUST until he gains some weight so if he does refuse food, I won't have to worry about health risks. Once he gets a taste of the rat, he'll openly take it himself...

But I digress... thanks to the video's Jeff posted (and watching his "body language"), I noticed that in the last couple days he's been sitting in S pose, and tonight he was out cruising around... 4 days isn't too long since his last meal, but I decided to offer anyway.

I held the rat about 2 inches from him and he seemed interested, so I pulled the rat away and he followed. He was in a weird spot, so I picked him up and placed him on the paper towel (decided to take a chance). His little head never left the prey. lol

Anyway, I set him down and repeated (thinking I'd for sure lose his interest)... when he came forward JUST a bit, I stopped moving the rat. BAM! Tagged it.

Oh and btw... he also pooped yesterday... damn near 4 weeks later (his first crap since i've had him), and I'm proud to tell you that it was a seemingly healthy turd.

Healthy turds + tagging first rat = extreme happiness for this python owner. :D

[Slannesh]

Good to hear!

And thanks to Jeff for posting all the info as well. Even learned a bit about the body language myself :)

[Asian Jon]

LOL glad to hear it was a healthy 'turd'. Wishing you many more healthy 'turds' to come :).

[Jeff_Favelle]

Out-frickin-standing!!!! I still can't believe it ate after you picked it up. Especially being a picky eater! That's insane! This just goes to show you, that the tricks to feeding PROPERLY can sometimes outweigh the things that would normally spook a Ball Python.

That rules Spirit. Keep us updated! :)

[Spirit]

Jeff: I bought him from a pet store (but I know which breeder where he came from) and one of the girls who worked there had planned to buy him, so she would carry him around with her during her shift. He's been handled a lot (hours every day) and VERY used to people/noise/disturbances/etc (I'd say he's been "overhandled"), but he's without question the most calm and "trusting" snake I've ever known. It doesn't really surprise me that he didn't lose interest in the meal after I moved him to another spot in his viv (even though I did expect it to happen). Then of course with all the assist feedings I've had to do.

I'm definitely learning... now 12 hours later, he's sitting in S pose again, head out of the hide... Meal too small (well, we already know it was...)? LOL

Thanks so much again Jeff, for posting those videos and explaining the ways of the ball... and thanks for everyone else for contributing to their experiences.

PS. Now will I be waiting another month before the next turd? (man, that was FRUSTRATING)... lmao

Edit: I forgot to mention he's still in the glass viv (open tank) and the lights were all on. *proud* lol

[malaysianbloods]

Keep up the good work, and good luck with the next feeding.