I bought my ball python about 6 weeks ago he is eating live pinkies right now. He eats so well, but I still get nervous (I,m afraid he will choke).I love Kaa so much that 2 days ago I went and bought myself a red tail boa. Now this pet shop has been feeding f/t to him. I fed him the first time last night and I feel as though this f/t thing isnt as great as I've been hearing. I know its much safer but it stunk and my new baby didnt strike or constrict it at all. He just slowly opened his mouth and started swallowing no real interest like my ball what's up !!!

Well you have to think about ''the future'' when your snakes start eating bigger prey such as mice..if you are feeding live now chances are he wont accept F/T as an adult...and that is dangeous for your snake..what happens if hes not hungry? The mouse is gonna chew him up...

I've thought of that too so my boyfriend kills them first so we dont have to worry about that. I 'm also a worrier so I always supervise. what do you think of the way he ate his food is that normal??

Hello,

I would begin swapping him over to f/t as soon as possible.

How can you say it isn't as great as you have been hearing? The snake took the prey without any fuss and there was zero chance of him getting injured by the prey. That is the exact reason why feeding f/t over live is the way to go. That in itself is great! lol

You need to remember that feeding time for a snake is not for our amusement. I know that watching a snake get worked up eating a live prey is pretty cool to watch, but it isn't safe. We have a thread (or a few) that show the affects of feeding live prey. Live prey fights back. In the wild, if a snake goes in for the kill and the prey attacks, the snake has the ability to escape. In the enclosure, this is not the case. The snake is stuck with the feeder and if it goes into attack mode on the snake, you could end up with some severe vet bills or worse, you could lose your snake.

F/t IS the way to go. It may not be as amusing to watch, but it is 100% safer.

** We posted at the same time. lol **

If the snake is actually hungry at feeding time, he will show the normal attack and constrict. My corn attacks all of her prey and she has been eating f/t for over 3.5 years. lol

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well I'am not interested in the amusement I just want him to be happy and healthy he just didnt act like he enjoyed his food. It just doesnt seem natural for a snake that normally eats live pray to eat a t.v dinner style meal. I also heard that f/t can loose its nutritional value is that true ???

ok so you think maybe he just wasnt hungry enough?? well what do you think about fresh killed. I know it sounds bad but my ball really goes for it.

Some may not constrict around the F/T prey. My corns have never done it, my okeette corn he attacks every time, the ghost just gose slowly to it, my BP for his first F/T never contricted it. But now he constricts it everytime, even though it is dead.

F/T is better as it kills parasites or bacteria that the prey may have.

How old is your BP if he is on pinkies? Have you ever tried your BP on a F/T? Each snake will take the prey diffrent, or mine do.

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yah my bp constricts f/t but my corns rarly do and its alot less energy wasted on the snakes part cause he is not constricting...

Peace

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"wow and your mom lets you have all these animals?" -my grama

0.0.1 Ball Python, Akua 27"
0.0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake, Seismo 22"
0.0.1 Snow Corn snake, Sleet 27"
0.0.1 grey rat snake, Issa 31"
0.1 German Shepherd, Zanny 90 LBS
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Wish list.... atleast some of it ;)
MORE CORNS!!!.......

Neither of my corns attack or anythign like that...

Only my juvie and baby corns attack if I drop the pinkie or fuzzie in.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!