New ball python and first reptile!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
C

canadian.fish

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 16, 2012
270
1
0
ontario
I just bought a 2 year old ball python male from some one who was not able to take care of him. He seems really small for two. I was told he never missed a mean witch is F/T mice and gets one every ten days.

he came in a ten gal tank when he gets settles in should I move him to a 20 gal or 33 gal tank?

Should I keep him on that feeding routine or should I feel bigger and once a week?

He was being fed in tank witch I want to change should I wait tip I get him feeding good for me then take him to a feeding box?

Il try to get pics of him later he is really active at night lots of movement and tongue flicking. It's so hard not to handle him but I want to wait til after he's gotten a meal into him witch will be this Monday.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Definitely move him to at least a 20 gallon long. He should be eating once a week and should probably be eating rats by now. Rats the same size as his girth should be what you're feeding. You should use the feeding box as soon as possible, but since you just got him he might not eat for you right away. Good luck, BPs are finicky eaters but don't give up if he decides to go on a hunger strike.
 
Thanks for re advice! The 20 gal I have is not a long tho it's standard aquarium size. He came with 4 frozen mice already so il get two into him then move him to a feeding box after those two get eaten il move him up to rats.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
I would go with as big as possible have fun your going to love keeping reptiles

Sent from my Desire HD using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
I love balls, I have 6 right now. They have tons of personality, I have a few that will never miss a meal, I have one that eats once every 3 months lol. Feeding them in cage promotes aggression- is your hand coming into the tank or a meal? also, it can create health problems as snakes can accidentally consume bedding along with the meal creating intestinal blockages and infections. hes probably small for his age and never misses a meal because a mouse isnt much food. its also more nutritous to feed larger food items. I feed my 6 month snake a mouse every 7 days. for size, its most usually talked about in grams(my lil guy is probably about 130 or so)

generally they like to climb and should be given wood or something to allow them to climb, not all snakes care for climbing, youll find out his personality as soon as he settles in.
It is usually recommended to have a tank big enough to allow them to fully stretch out if they wanted to, but with everything, the biggest cage you can provide is best. I keep my lil ones in a 10 and my big ones in 30s.
 
I'd try and get him on to rats ASAP! I'd prob try and feed every 4-7 days too to build him up a bit. U might find at the beginning actually keeping in a small tank is more beneficial ATM , unless he is one of these that's enjoys being out and about. Royals are generally rather timid and only appear when hungry. Just make sure he's got a hide and def don't handle till at least 3 days after being fed, don't want a regurge on ur hands just yet ;) lol.
As glenCOCO said, they are a extremely finicky eaters, but providing the correct temps they do well.
Good luck and enjoy him, your patience and perseverance WILL pay off. Keep us updated :D. X
 
to be safe i would say wait about two weeks before doing anything with him except for filling up his water bowl then give him a rat pup or adult mouse
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom