People say you should wait and let the snake settle in. (I didn't know that my first time, and fed her within three days. It was fine.) I feed in a seperate feeding box (lined with newspaper), but in the cage is okay too, as long as it isn't on substrate that the snake could accidently eat (like bark chips).

It's better to feed killed mice because live ones could injure the snake. There are old posts on how to kill mice.

I put the food in the feeding box, then put the snake in. If the snake is in first, I use tongs to drop the food in. That way my hands are never confused for dinner. Leave her alone with the prekilled mouse. She will find it and eat it if she wants it. Give her some time and don't hover-mine is sketchy about eating if people are moving around above her.

PS. Mine strikes at killed the same as live mice.

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• Another Proud NEW Owner of a Ball Python any Special advise? - ladromar, Sun Jul 11 19:54:11 2004
• first feeding - AmaEmena, Sun Jul 11 22:59:49 2004
• Thanks for the Tip, But HOW BIG? does the mice have to be?>>? - ladromar, Mon Jul 12 15:06:27 2004
• RE: Thanks for the Tip, But HOW BIG? does the mice have to be?>>? - Kikai, Tue Jul 13 06:53:19 2004