Unusual Ball Python Question... I Think?

Question

I have a question about my new ball that i havent seen asked or answered anywhere. I got my ball two days ago. i was lucky because he never stressed, in fact, he was hungry and took a mouse on day two. ironically, thats also the problem. the mouse was on the edge of the water bowl when Novakk!, my snake, struck it, and started to constrict it under water. i was worried theyed both drown. i moved them onto the bark again... and he finished and ate it... but seriously - wtf? should i worry about that happening again? is that a normal kill technique? is my snake just clumsy... or can they hold their breath? sorry if dumb. but i couldnt find anything on that anywhere... answers would be greatly appreciated.. thanks

Answer 1

Get your snake a seperate tank / encloser. Properly heated etc. Feed in there AND allow time for it to pass the feces.
Remember to gut load the prey items. And don't feed the same thing all the time. Think eating eggs every day. Even if you add onions and cheese etc. You are not getting properly fed, same gos for the snake.
As it gets bigger so must the prey. Remember mice, rats rodents have teeth and will use them. Thus the snakes have gotten infections from those bites. Soo.
WARNING!!!!This gets to graphic for some people.
Hold said rodent by the tail or back legs (no tail to hold )with other hand holding a scew driver. Allow the front legs and head to be on a flat surface. Place said s/driver behind the head at base of skull. Push down with some force and at the same time pull the back feet quickly until you hear a pop. quickly toss in front of the HUNGRY snake. It will still be moveing and warm. AND unable to inflect injurys.
Okay can't handle that look on line for frozen prey item's. And find a supply of syringes with aprrox. 22 to 24 gauge needles. These are to inject the much needed vitamins and minerals into those long dead items.
Also get a cheep microwave oven to heat / defrost them, and a pair of very long forceps. Those are so you can wiggle that dead item and get that snake to hit it. All that having been said. Get on line and too get some good books on your snake. No cheap $2.00 books. Remember on line everyone can sound good but a really good book will ( if you read it ) save you and the snake alot of hassle,greif and money.
Oh yea ALLWAYS WASH YOU HANDS BEFORE HANDLING THE SNAKE OR PUTTING YOUR HAND IN THERE.
First rule of reptiles is --- AM I hungry - is it warm and moving- is it a size I can attack. YES to all. Then hit it!
These repetiles are not loving beings. When not hungry yes they will curl up with you. Here's why. Your'e warrm they're cold . They " sun bath" right? Think about it. Enjoy your snake and I truely hope you get some books. They can help you to have a life time of enjoyment with your reptiles. Later

Answer 2

It shouldn't be a problem. Although I'm sure he didn't "plan" on falling into the water dish, he would move himself out if he needed to. Their instinct is to grab and kill their prey as quickly and wherever needed.

If you're concerned about it happening again, you can take the water dish out before you drop the mouse in the next time.

And FYI, it is not necessary to put your Ball Python in a separate container for feeding as another poster mentioned. If you are opening his enclosure daily as you should be to spot clean, fill water, and handle your snake, feeding one day out of the week will not condition them to think of food every time you reach in. The only time it would be a concern is if dropping the food in is the only time you open the enclosure. Especially with Ball Pythons, who will often not eat if they do not feel secure, removing them from their normal environment to feed can lead to problems, as can switching around different prey items. I would recommend getting him switched to rats if you can, but from there, they are perfectly content eating rats for every meal.

Good luck with your new Ball Python, and congrats on getting a good feeder. Most are good feeders when set up properly, you must be doing something right! : )

Answer 3

I was also going to suggest the basking behavior that females do when they have eggs or are ovulating. If not, it could just be because she was going to shed and was working to loosen the skin a bit. I'd keep an eye on her and as long as the rest of her behavior is normal, then it might be that. To be on the safe side, I'd make sure that you do a loose quarantine with her if you have other snakes. Handle her last, clean her cage last, do not use the same feeding tongs etc.

Answer 4

it's fine. all snakes can swim and hold their breath. I would consider taking out the bowl during feeding time, just in case the snake strikes the mouse, misses, and hits the water bowl.

Answer 5

I don't think that it is really anything to worry about. That said, I would recommend taking the snake out of its cage and feeding it in a separate area (I use a Rubbermaid tub). This will train the snake to not expect food when you reach in the tank and may help keep you from being bitten. It also prevents the snake from ingesting substrate.

Answer 6

like rollin said you dont need to move it to a new cage to feed it. if you dont smell like a mouse or rat and the snake doesnt smell like any then its prob not going to bite you. and snakes dont need to eat different things they arent like us. get your ball python to switch over to rats and keep it on them frozen is the best way to go and is cheaper and safe for the snake you can thaw the rats in warm water and then change the water to really hot or a few mins to heat the rat up before giving to the snake.

Answer 7

balls can be dumb founded at time. also you dont wana feed them in there home tank get a toot or just a big container, NOTHING IN IT. put him in the toot and close it, a few minutes later open toot drop mouse in it close lid. snake will eat leave snake alone for 1hr after it eats then put it straght in its home. dont touch him for 48hr. regergitated mouse smells really bad. this will make him know that if you are reaching in his tank you are taking him out and that your hand isnt food. any more questions just write me.

Answer 8

It's fine, if there was a problem, the snake would move away from whatever would be the problem.