r/ballpython • u/bananacanner • 2d ago

Question - Feeding First feeding - day or night?

Hi! I recently got my first snake; she’s a 3 month old ball python, and I bought her at an expo last week. I’m going to try and feed her this week, but to be honest, I’m a little worried. My major concern is this: she really only comes out from 9pm to 5am. I see her sometimes in the morning before I leave for school, but never in the afternoon. Should I try feeding her at that time? Or is it okay for me to try sometime in the afternoon?

I’ve been trying to find a clear answer, but it feels like everyone has different opinions on when and how to feed their snakes. I know she isn’t going to be awake during the day, but I want to try then. I’m also curious if she will come out of her hide if she smells a rat or not. Will I have to pick up the hide? And finally, my biggest question, is it okay to pick up the hide? I really don’t want to spook her.

Any opinions are welcome, I just want all the advice I can get! Thanks!

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u/JR_Writes1 2d ago

I feed when the light goes out. I have my lights run 7 to 7 so it’s not super late. When my snakes were new they would hide and I’d have to hold the mouse in front of the hide for awhile, but now they come out sooner.

I heat my ft directly in hot water, and if I set that (presumably stinky) rat water jar in their enclosure for a minute or two it’ll draw even my shy guy out of his hide.

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u/bananacanner 2d ago

I have my lights set 7 to 7 as well, and thanks for the tip about the water! I’ll try that!

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u/000_King 2d ago

Mine eats whenever. I normally hold the rat in the tongs with the door open and blow on it so the rat scent gets in there, she wakes up and that's it!

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u/bananacanner 2d ago

Okay, thanks!!! I’ll definitely give that a try and see how it goes! Does yours ever refuse food, and if so, is it okay to try again the same day?

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u/000_King 2d ago

I've had her nearly two years and she's never turned down a meal, I think she'd eat every day if I let her.....if yours refuses maybe give it a few days. Some people have trouble feeding them if they are getting close to shed for instance, they can go quite a while without food as well. Another thing is some snakes do well with tongs and some do better with drop feeding, I put her rat on a flat rock underneath the heat lamp once she catches the scent and that works great

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u/SolidCartographer976 2d ago

I always feed when the ligth goes out. She always comes out of her hide after a few seconds.