Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all-- first off... I just got this guy a few days ago. He's 100% het for pied, and he's got some really sweet markers on him. If anyone's confused about what these look like, take a look at the photo. Those go all the way down his belly, not just at the end.

More importantly though, I have a question about feeding. The breeder said he was feeding on small f/t rats. He's about 2 feet long, maybe a little more. I went to a pet store yesterday to pick him up some food, and the smallest rats they had there looked like they were way too big for him. This was the case at both places I went to. I know you're not supposed to give a python anything bigger than it's largest point around... so what do I do? Both places were out of mice and I'd prefer not to feed live. So one attendant suggested feeding him two mouse fuzzies one right after the other. ...Is that okay? I tried giving him one yesterday, to keep him going a little until I can find something about the right size, and he refused. Don't know yet if he's just fickle or if he thinks I'm crazy for giving him something that small. Any help? Any suggestions at all are greatly appreciated.

http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk32/KRach_13/?action=view&current=131_0408.jpg

And of course, I forgot the pied marker photos. Here's the link.

http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk32/KRach_13/?action=view¤t=131_0409.jpg

i have heard that if there was some orange on the belly, that it was a ringer or sign of a ringer is this correct?

thank you,
peter

that snake appears to be on the thin side so feeding something a little larger than the mid-point will not hurt it. Also you stated you didn't want to feed live, why not? Also do you know if the individual you purchased it from was feeding live or f/t? It's unfortunate but I've noticed alot of people lately stating that the animals they bought were supposed to be on f/t and wouldn't give them a second glance which leads me to believe that these "breeders" just flat out lied to them to earn a sale. I am not saying this happened to you, but it could be a possibility.
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Josh & Krysty Hutto
J&K Reptiles

Various Ball Pythons, boas, dogs, cats, fish, an amel tiger retic female, a couple sulcatas and a few other odds and ends.

a BAD dog is MADE not bred, support the American Pit Bull Terrier as the greatest breed of dogs on Earth!!!!!

Of course if I can avoid live feeding I will, because I don't want him to be injured by a rat fighting back. The breeder explicitly advertised that he was feeding on "small f/t rats."

As far as orange on the belly of a ringer going, I don't know. I know that there is an orange blush in the area surrounding the white, just like with piebalds. But as for belly tint, I have no idea. Sorta doubt it, though.

Congratulations on the new addition.

As for the markers -- well they aren't what I'd call great het pied markers -- but whatever -- I hope you got him from a reliable source.

I do agree he looks rather thin -- as you just got him -- you'll need to leave him alone for a week or so and let him settle into his new digs. Make sure your husbandry is in order - Once he gets settled in you can try feeding him -- if you have to - double check with previous owner as to how he went about thawing, heating and presenting the f/t meal and duplicate. Do not handle your snake again until after he has successfully fed for you.

Good luck.
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Tosha
JET Pythons

At the pet stores you were at looking for small rats, did you ask if they can order some in? They may not have any the day you were there but most can get then in within a week. Also, pet stores tend to only order a small amount of frozen rodents, as they don't want to keep them for months if nobody buys them.

Mail order your own is another option.

Check locally, sometimes you can find rat or mice breeders who may breed their own strictly to sell or for their own snake collections and may have some extra to give to you.

it is fine to buy live mice or rats...you can pre kill before feeding your snake. Holding the tail firmly and whacking the base of the skull firmly will kill instantly. You can also use a screw driver shaft and press it against the base of the neck and pull firmly on the tail to sever the spine....I never had success with the latter method myself but great success with the former.

For your other question, about feeding two smaller prey items instead of a single larger prey item, is fine. You can feed one, wait till it is nearly completely gone inside the snake's mouth and gently butt the second one's nose against the first...and hold, till the snake works his jaw over the second rodent...once he has a good grip on it, lay it down for the snake finish. You can also just leave the second rodent in the cage after he strikes the first. Most often they will sniff around for more while they are in the feeding frenzy and will eat any other offerings.
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PHLdyPayne