finally gonna get my BP! first snake! tips anyone? - Page 2

**Aaron_S** · 06-27-15, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoopySnake

Is it worth it though? I mean, nutritionally... Would an adult rat be better?

No fricking clue. I personally don't want to 1. pay rabbit prices 2. have to search out small rabbits.

Honestly, I think people are splitting hairs on the whole nutritional value thing. When snakes, and each species, has been properly analyzed on when it's best in their growth cycle to have more protein, fat or etc. Then I'll worry more about nutritional content on food items.

It's sort of putting the cart before the horse in my eyes.

AlexCrazy · 06-27-15, 04:55 PM

I guess the nutitional value depens on how you feed the food items.. (just thinkikng) if you make the mouse fat.. it could have the same value sort of as the rat.. if you make the rat exercise more.. the rat could have less fat than the mouse...

Albert Clark · 06-27-15, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexCrazy

Thanks! I bouhgt 2 thermo/hydrometers and a heat pad.
Don't snakes go around leaves in the wild? I guess they could have some sort of dirt.. or i dont know.. but it seams pretty natural and normal to me..
Im still wondering about the hamster thing

i dont whant to feed the rong thing..

Snakes in the wild are different from snakes in captivity. Wild snakes harbor more ectoparasites and more endoparasites. So, what we try to do as keepers is to maintain a level of safety for our captives and not expose them to unnecessary conditions that are inherent to the wild population. There is a higher standard of care for captive reptiles. Even the wild caught animals wind up faring better in captivity. But their physical conditions are a testament to the dangers and risks that they are exposed to in the wild. So, just be sure to get all the aphids, slugs, and slime off of the wild outside leaves as well as any tick larvae and microscopic insectivores that may or may not be visible. Just a IMO.

Oh, and I was referring to a thermostat not a thermometer for your heat regulation.

ManSlaughter33 · 06-29-15, 10:33 AM

I still think hamsters are a no.... they dont grow big enoug hfor an adult BP, and they probably get hooked on them..

prairiepanda · 06-29-15, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Honestly, I think people are splitting hairs on the whole nutritional value thing. When snakes, and each species, has been properly analyzed on when it's best in their growth cycle to have more protein, fat or etc. Then I'll worry more about nutritional content on food items.

I agree; we don't know what fat/protein and nutrient ratios snakes actually need, so comparing nutrition values is pointless. There are differences between different prey items, sometimes very big differences, but we don't know what the significance of those differences is.

As for hamsters vs mice...well, there are a few different species of hamsters in the pet trade. The larger species would get to a pretty good size for an adult BP; probably better to have one big hamster than a few little mice for a meal...but hamsters cost way more than mice. Not to mention it seems like not many people(if any) feed exclusively hamsters, so we don't have any data to show whether such a diet would be too fatty or contain too much hair or whatever for a snake over a long period. I imagine it would be fine occasionally, but for a staple diet I'd stick to feeders that have been tested by many generations of snake keepers.

**Aaron_S** · 06-29-15, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairiepanda

I agree; we don't know what fat/protein and nutrient ratios snakes actually need, so comparing nutrition values is pointless. There are differences between different prey items, sometimes very big differences, but we don't know what the significance of those differences is.

As for hamsters vs mice...well, there are a few different species of hamsters in the pet trade. The larger species would get to a pretty good size for an adult BP; probably better to have one big hamster than a few little mice for a meal...but hamsters cost way more than mice. Not to mention it seems like not many people(if any) feed exclusively hamsters, so we don't have any data to show whether such a diet would be too fatty or contain too much hair or whatever for a snake over a long period. I imagine it would be fine occasionally, but for a staple diet I'd stick to feeders that have been tested by many generations of snake keepers.

I agree. I only worry about comparing mice vs. rats as those are the staples in the industry for most species.

I try not to re-invent the wheel when I don't need to. Mice and rats have raised decades worth of snakes and I don't see any reason that needs to change at this time. It's one less thing for me to worry about as a keeper.

However, I do try to find feeders who have been raised well including a good diet.

AlexCrazy · 06-30-15, 05:19 AM

I agree.. i just asked cos in this country its the most aveilable.. it would only be until i find mice to start breeding... il try to stay of the hamsters.. but.. if i dont find the mice soon.. i cant leave it to starve. O.o

**Aaron_S** · 06-30-15, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexCrazy

I agree.. i just asked cos in this country its the most aveilable.. it would only be until i find mice to start breeding... il try to stay of the hamsters.. but.. if i dont find the mice soon.. i cant leave it to starve. O.o

If you can't find mice or rats try african soft furs. I think they are a mice? Maybe a rat. Anyway it's something people have come to use in the hobby as a feeder with ball pythons.

Here's how you rank source of food for ball pythons.

Rats
ASF
Mice
Gerbils

Hamsters

sophiedufort · 06-30-15, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexCrazy

HI! my dreams are finally gonna come true! im gonna get a male BP..
i would love some tips! name ideas... and i have a cuestion..
can i use dry-id leaves for beading? it will look really natural... theres lots.. and its one of my only option other than shavings....

level of happiness is so freaking high! hahahaha soo happy!
and my tank size is 24x63 inches.. is it okay? i know they say not to use big.. but my wallet is small and it was my dads old fishtank..

Tips? Be unconventional

AlexCrazy · 06-30-15, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

If you can't find mice or rats try african soft furs. I think they are a mice? Maybe a rat. Anyway it's something people have come to use in the hobby as a feeder with ball pythons.

Here's how you rank source of food for ball pythons.

Rats
ASF
Mice
Gerbils

Hamsters

Did you rank them for there size.. or just named them?
If gerbils are okay.. i think i cound go with that.. it has a tail wich will make feeding easier for me.. and ive seen them in petstores... i would have to read about them.. dont now anything about size or... anything.. ha ha

**Aaron_S** · 06-30-15, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexCrazy

Did you rank them for there size.. or just named them?
If gerbils are okay.. i think i cound go with that.. it has a tail wich will make feeding easier for me.. and ive seen them in petstores... i would have to read about them.. dont now anything about size or... anything.. ha ha

I ranked them on the "best prey for captive ball pythons".

ASF's are higher than mice due to size.

Gerbils are okay because they are related to the gerboa which is a common prey item in Africa for ball pythons. Very similar. They rank less than mice due to availability of mice vs gerbils usually.

Careful picking up gerbils by their tails. They will drop them at times to get away.

AlexCrazy · 06-30-15, 08:52 AM

Holycow... i did not expect that o.o ill do mice.. haha that is so weird.. jajaja thanks everyone for the imput.. im still a bit nervous.. but.. ill get over it once hes here..

sophiedufort · 06-30-15, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexCrazy

Holycow... i did not expect that o.o ill do mice.. haha that is so weird.. jajaja thanks everyone for the imput.. im still a bit nervous.. but.. ill get over it once hes here..

I didn't read all previous replies, but a quick skimming of the page told me that you're worried about feeding your snake. Nothing to worry about, really. A healthy snake will not be finicky. A couple of my snakes are so diligent when it comes to meals, they would probably eat a marble if one was offered to them.

I feed mice to my BPs, and they are doing beautifully. My largest snakes eat rats. I got gerbils the other day, free off Craigslist, and thought about breeding them, but they are very aggressive and I fear for my snakes, so I will revert to mice/rats. By the way, whoever is rushing to give me a lecture on my decision to feed live prey to my snakes, please know that my husband and I are very careful. We stand by, and will reach down in the feeding tub to remove the crazy mouse/rat/gerbil as soon as we see the slightest sign of aggression, even if there is a risk that the snake will strike us by accident. Once I get rid of all gerbils (I still have five) will never get any again.

You can always check Craigslist for local feeder sellers in your area. I just found one, very cheap, not far from where I live.

**Aaron_S** · 06-30-15, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sophiedufort

I didn't read all previous replies, but a quick skimming of the page told me that you're worried about feeding your snake. Nothing to worry about, really. A healthy snake will not be finicky. A couple of my snakes are so diligent when it comes to meals, they would probably eat a marble if one was offered to them.

I feed mice to my BPs, and they are doing beautifully. My largest snakes eat rats. I got gerbils the other day, free off Craigslist, and thought about breeding them, but they are very aggressive and I fear for my snakes, so I will revert to mice/rats. By the way, whoever is rushing to give me a lecture on my decision to feed live prey to my snakes, please know that my husband and I are very careful. We stand by, and will reach down in the feeding tub to remove the crazy mouse/rat/gerbil as soon as we see the slightest sign of aggression, even if there is a risk that the snake will strike us by accident. Once I get rid of all gerbils (I still have five) will never get any again.

You can always check Craigslist for local feeder sellers in your area. I just found one, very cheap, not far from where I live.

I don't know why you or anyone who feeds live prey give themselves so much credit.

Snakes are lightning quick. Anyone who's fed a snake knows this. If a snake grabs even a docile prey item in the wrong spot (does happen) and the animal being constricted gets a tooth in the eye of the snake how fast does any human have to be to intervene between the snake strike and the prey biting the snake in defense in a coil?

Answer is it's impossible. Damage would be done before anything could happen.

Mikoh4792 · 06-30-15, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sophiedufort

Nothing to worry about, really. A healthy snake will not be finicky..

That really depends on the type of snake, and the individual snake itself. Health is not always a factor. With carpet pythons, it is a common problem for keepers to own what are called "mousers". Extremely finicky snakes that only eat mice and refuse other types of food. I'm sure owners of other types of snakes can attest to this.