I just got a baby ball python. Should I feed it now or later this month???

Question

I just got a python from a friend and i do not know if i should feed it now or later in the month. I also want to know how much lighting he should get because he is in a tank that I once kept my iguana in and someone told me that they need a lot less light than an iguana.

Answer 1

Ball Pythons are nocturnal. Size of the snake or cage aren't stated but can still help you.
Snakes should eat every time after they defecate, which is about every 5-7 days.
Feed prey according to the widest part around the middle. If snake is size of quarter at the widest part, then feed something as thick as a nickel.
Find out if the snake was eating prekilled or live food. Prekilled is best.
A person can always have frozen food available, also the reptile doesn't get mites/ parasites, spread via live food, or bitten by prey animals.
Provide water dish large enough for snake to get completely wet.
Under Tank Heater should be large enough for the whole snake to ;ay on.
Use proper watt night light.
Substrate should hold a little moisture but not wet or mold grows. Zilla, Reptibark, Naturebark are all excellent choices. Feed snake in separate container from which it lives. Preferably feed in the evening.
Do not feed gerbils to a Ball Python, because if if started, that is all the snake will eat.
Keep tank temp at least 85 degrees on the warm side. Water dish on the cool side.
Ball Pythons love to climb, hide, and are escape artists, so keep the lid on secure. If the snake gets away, most likely you'll find it in the dirty laundry.

Answer 2

I'd wait a week for it to settle in and get hungry before you try. It may not eat then either, but keep trying every week. You'll probabaly want to feed it every week anyway. As for lighting, you want the temp about 77-84. Good luck!

Answer 3

Never argue with Wild Lives in My Garden. Whatever she says, you can take to the bank.

Answer 4

let it acclimate to the tank for the first week or two