Reptile Help, Chaotica?

[Ma3tt]

You heat the mice in the microwave first right? DO NOT USE THE POPCORN SETTING! what a smell!

[SkipperSue]

I was afraid to use the microwave on this, you know how hot those apple pies at Mac'Donald's get. I put it in a plastic bag and let it soak in hot water for awhile. She gobbled it right down the hatch. Still this isn't as much fun as the live ones.

[Chaotica]

I was afraid to use the microwave on this, you know how hot those apple pies at Mac'Donald's get. I put it in a plastic bag and let it soak in hot water for awhile. She gobbled it right down the hatch. Still this isn't as much fun as the live ones.

Hey Skip, sorry but I just found this thread. The advice about soaking is probably the best I would have offered also. The eyes are sometimes a problem for snakes to shed but in time they will fall off.

My king just spent the past week in his water dish and shed tonight. I've had him for almost two years now and it's the first time I've witnessed him shed.

As far as the frozen mice go, you are lucky the ball will take them, a lot of pythons and boas won't take pre-killed food. Just be careful with the water temp when you thaw though, hot may cook the food, keep the water temp around 100 degrees or so.

[asianflava]

My cousin had a big Burmese, he used a stun gun on the rats because the snake would get all scratched up.

[Chaotica]

My cousin had a big Burmese, he used a stun gun on the rats because the snake would get all scratched up.

Yeah, that's the biggest problem with feeding live food, the snake can take a beating, especially with big rats.

[kirtsjc]

Here ya go Kirtsjc

This is her first frozen mouse try.

Enjoy

Thank you! I have always been fascinated with watching snakes eat... No limbs, dislocating jaw and all that...

National Geographic Cable had a special on the big ones, anacondas and the like - very interesting graphics on how a snake feeds. Watch your local listings for repeats!

(edited because I forgot to remove the img link when I quoted...)

[thobbs]

We just got a ball python for our son for Christmas. It hasn't been interested in eating though, and the store said it hadn't eaten that week. We are worried that it got cold. They set up it's cage and snake sat it for the week before Christmas. When we got it home we realized the heat pad they used was defective. I don't think they even checked. Can this harm it? It is all warm and cozy now and has stayed in it's hut all day today.

[Gerdo]

My friend had a mouse eating snake. He used to have to give live mice a "sedigive" (Young Fankenstein) He wound crack the mouse on a table to stun it.

Back to the shedding. I had a 6' Iguana. He would sometimes have a hard time shedding also. He would take a 1/2 hour bath (Water should "feel" neutral or just barely cool, don't cook your snake) Then he would burrow into a towel to rub off the skin. He would love to be rubbed to get off the skin. (I know you said eyes, tough spot)

[Chaotica]

We just got a ball python for our son for Christmas. It hasn't been interested in eating though, and the store said it hadn't eaten that week. We are worried that it got cold. They set up it's cage and snake sat it for the week before Christmas. When we got it home we realized the heat pad they used was defective. I don't think they even checked. Can this harm it? It is all warm and cozy now and has stayed in it's hut all day today.

If the snakes cage in the pet store was near other snake enclosures it may have had enough heat to keep it comfortable. If it dies I'd definitely take it back and demand a refund.

Balls need a fairly high temperature during the day, 80-85 degrees with a basking spot near 90. Nighttime temps can be in the low to mid 70's but a warm spot of 80 or so should be available. Ceramic heating elements are a great way to heat enclosures but you must be careful that the temperature of the enclosure top(screen) doesn't get too hot. Many snakes are easily burned by very hot screens or glass, they have a slow reaction to temperature changes and if the snake touches anything too hot it will be burned before it even feels it.

As far as not eating, the cold spell could be the reason or it may not. It could also be going into shed and won't usually eat until it has shed. Then again, it may just not feel like eating. There are many instances of snakes going a year or longer without eating.

Are you feeding live mice or prekilled? Some snakes will refuse to eat prekilled food.

[SkipperSue]

We just got a ball python for our son for Christmas. It hasn't been interested in eating though, and the store said it hadn't eaten that week. We are worried that it got cold. They set up it's cage and snake sat it for the week before Christmas. When we got it home we realized the heat pad they used was defective. I don't think they even checked. Can this harm it? It is all warm and cozy now and has stayed in it's hut all day today.

Aww, how cute! Is that a he or a she python? They are so easy to take care of, you will love that.

[thobbs]

I have no idea if it is a he or a she. We call him/her Monty. No luck with feeding it yet. It did drink water today. I think it might be getting ready to shed. It's eyes look a bit foggy.