Earlier this evening we came home with my two BP babies.The girl hatched on August 20 and the boy on July 5. They are from diffrent parents.They ate already 13 times and grew nicely since I picked them out.
The breeder also gave me a list with the dates of each feeding and it also says what they ate.They are now on rat pups(the one with fur and eyes already open;don't know how you call them.)

Now I have an important question which bothers me;my breeder said my babies ate live so far,because with those rat pups there was no danger the snake gets hurt.He said with the next feeding I can move up one size of the rats,but he thinks f/t are not good enough and also you need to put in the right amount of vitamins and stuff which isn't in a f/t anymore but in a freshly killed rat.He said that this is proven.
He is against feeding live but only because the feeders can hurt the snake.He feeds freshly killed.
Now the question(sorry to make this so complicated ): As I'm feeding f/t since I started with snakes(January'05) I will continue to do so but I never put anything like nutritions,vitamins and stuff inside the rats.Please tell me if I need to start doing so or if that's really proven that you need to do so with f/t.
Does anybody have experience with this matter? I've been told that you don't need it but now I got very insecure.
Thanks for your much appreciated advice.
I just LOVE those babies they are beeautiful and I can't really believe that I actually own ball pythons.They ate on the 18th last time and I will give them a chance to settle in and will try to feed them by the end of next week.Wish me luck .
Oh,by the way,I'm looking for names for my cute babies.Any ideas?I'm open for everything.OHH do I love them!!!!

aaww...congrats jacky!!picss???

Sorry Savannah,no camera yet .But my boyfriend will be buying one at the end of this year(hopefully) .

Should I put the above question on "feeders"?
I hope someone's got an answer to this because it made me very insecure.Please help!

Hello,

I feed both of my snakes f/t or f/k when I am out of frozen feeders.I have never supplemented my feeders for the snakes and both are extremely healthy. One is a Ball Python, and the other is a Snow Corn.

While it may be true that live rats are healthier, the difference is not dramatic. Your snakes will thrive on f/t. (If you are overtly concerned, use f/k.)

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Thanks Rich.Does f/k mean freshly killed? But the trouble is,I'm not into killing things.I wouldn't know how to do it properly.And to tell you the truth,I couldn't do it.
But when you say that f/t is not much diffrent and I can feed it all of their lifes then I'm gladly and relieved taking your advice.
Thanks again Rich

ball pythons are attracted to heat on the prey and if you leave the frozen rats/mice in quite warm water this will stimulate the heat pits and the royal will feed almost every time and has worked with my own also feeding in a small container is good for the stubborn feeders as they feel more secure in smaller housing.
the rodents you feed your royal have all the vitamins and things the snake needs to keep healthy,the only time I ever use extra vitamins is for expectant female snakes and ill snakes to give them a boost(zolcal D or avipro in water)
all the best with your snakes
lee

It seems like they pretty much have things covered. I agree with Rich, it won't make much of a difference at all.

I just have a question for you that has nothing to do with this topic. Where did you purchase your snakes from? I am looking for a CB female baby BP but I haven't found a breeder yet.

Best of luck with your snakes!

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Josh Shrader

1.0 Ball Python (Monty)
0.1 Red-Eared Slider (Woody)
0.1 Yellow-Bellied Slider (Buz)

Thank you very much Lee,great advice.I do it that way with my other snakes but I know that the BPs can be difficult feeders so I will make the rodent extra warm for them.I'll keep you posted how they will eat for me when I feed them the first time.
My two corn snakes are going crazy when it comes to feeding;they are little "monsters",lol,and take it even when it's cooled down
Thanks again

Hi Josh,Thanks; I had my snakes from Switzerland at www.boapython.ch . He is a great guy and a great breeder.I'm also going to get one (or two? ) Boa Constrictors Imperator from him (in about 2 years or so).But to tell you the truth;I don't think he will ship his animals.But still,have a look at his website,some really fab animals he's got! (Click on "Bildergalerie).