Rescued Ball Python, voracious appetite?

[Tarantuloid]

I got a free baby ball python of unknown gender that I named Stheno. Originally bought as a gift by a college student for her boyfriend who wanted one, they broke up months later, leaving her with the snake. She is absolutely terrified of snakes, buying one only because that's what her boyfriend wanted for his birthday at the time. She wanted me to take the snake off her hands free of charge, and seeing as how I had a suitable tank that was being unused, I figured why not?

I hear a lot of people telling me that ball pythons are notorious for being fussy eaters, which is true for the most part. Strangely enough, this particular ball python has a voracious appetite that reminded me of my california kingsnake. I can just barely wiggle a thawed rodent and he lunges at it like crazy. Despite this, Stheno is still calm when comes to handling like any other ball python.

 

[feste]

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I got a free baby ball python of unknown gender that I named Stheno. Originally bought as a gift by a college student for her boyfriend who wanted one, they broke up months later, leaving her with the snake. She is absolutely terrified of snakes, buying one only because that's what her boyfriend wanted for his birthday at the time. She wanted me to take the snake off her hands free of charge, and seeing as how I had a suitable tank that was being unused, I figured why not?

I hear a lot of people telling me that ball pythons are notorious for being fussy eaters, which is true for the most part. Strangely enough, this particular ball python has a voracious appetite that reminded me of my california kingsnake. I can just barely wiggle a thawed rodent and he lunges at it like crazy. Despite this, Stheno is still calm when comes to handling like any other ball python.

It really does seem to be an individual thing sometimes. I think one of the biggest reasons for the horror stories you hear about them being fussy eaters though is a result of either poor husbandry or people who handle them too much. I dont handle mine very often and have never had any that were fussy eaters. I do know breeders who still have some fussy ones even without handling though.

When you mention you have a tank that isnt being used, is this something with a screen top? If so, youll want to cover as much of the screen with plexiglass or wood so that you can keep the humidity up like they need it. Youll want it around 55-65% or so. Let me know if you want anymore help

 

[Tarantuloid]

Yeah I'm currently working on a new lid that would be better at holding humidity, I've been looking at the stats I put in there and so far it's been fine, but then again, I mist it a few times a day to maintain the right percentage gaga

 

[feste]

Good to hear. You can also put in a live plant in its pot, like a pothos or philodendron. This will help keep a constant higher humidity within the enclosure. If you do, make sure you dont put it along the edge of the enclosure. They will 'walk' a trail along the outside walls, which will eventually kill even the hardiest plants.

 

[Tarantuloid]

That's good to know, as this is my first ball python. I've had kingsnakes, corn snakes and hognoses, but no pythons until now.