Snakes

[miss_skye]

yee sometimes people will ask about my pets and when i mention my snake they decide that's a good opportunity to describe snake deaths they've seen on tv in vivid detail for some reason, or generally be a jerk about it and ??? if you don't like snakes you could at least be polite about it, you wouldn't tell a dog owner you'd shoot their dog if you ever saw it so why is that okay for any other pet? /:

PREACH! That's what I'm saying!! For some reason people think it's okay to be a jerk to reptile owners. It can be really frustrating at times because I would never be rude to someone about their pets since they obviously love them a lot.

[Violently Violet]

I agree with all of this. Except even when someone is scared of snakes I'll usually still talk about them unless they ask me not to. Maybe I shouldn't, but snakes are one of my passions so if you want to be my friend you're gonna have to realize that I will talk on and on about them. You don't have to like them, but respect that I do.

Also anyone else find it kind of strange that everyone thinks snakes are slimy? I guess cause they look like worms sometimes? Snakes are smooth, but not slimy. I get where they're coming from, though.

[darwins]

my ball python fynn is such a BUTT.
i had to feed her a frozen fuzzy today because i don't have
any live feeder stores locally and have to go out to get them
and i had to cram the dang thing down her throat four
times before she took it the last .___. meanwhile she'll
just snatch the live right up. I KNOW IT'S NATURAL BUT WHY
MAKE LIFE DIFFICULT.

she's adorable though & i luv my snek

[Taiger Lilly]

my ball python fynn is such a BUTT.
i had to feed her a frozen fuzzy today because i don't have
any live feeder stores locally and have to go out to get them
and i had to cram the dang thing down her throat four
times before she took it the last .___. meanwhile she'll
just snatch the live right up. I KNOW IT'S NATURAL BUT WHY
MAKE LIFE DIFFICULT.

she's adorable though & i luv my snek

Pretty sure most Ball Pythons are the definition of BUTT.
I know mine is for sure. It's SO hard to get her to take f/t... like yes, Buttercup, you have zero problems with the live mice, but this dead one is terrifying and definitely out to get you!
And after missing it with a few half-hearted strikes she tries to start at the middle, then the feet, then the middle, then the feet again and finally finds the head.

[kivr & fireflii]

I found usually with switching to f/t, if your snake doesn't take, it's often because of one of three reasons:

1) It doesn't smell like food, in which case, you'd want to scent it. Ideally, heat the feeder with recently used bedding (not just... rub on it).
2) It doesn't "look" like food, in which case, it's not warm enough. Refresh the hot water more often and/or make it hotter (not boiling), leave it under the heat lamp longer (not my preferred method), or hit it with a blow dryer on the head/belly on low for a few seconds (only gets it up there temporarily).
3) It doesn't move like food, in which case, you can "zombie dance" it. Just means using tongs to make it move slightly like a live feeder (also holding it behind the shoulders, not danging from the tail).

I've only known a few snakes to never take f/t, but those are generally the reasons (in regards to the feeder) why they might not switch. Of course, double checking husbandry (proper temps are needed to digest food) and having enough hiding places is necessary, too.
-fireflii

[Violently Violet]

I got my BP to take f/t by switching off all the lights while thawing, pre-scenting, and offering. I also stayed hidden behind something while offering, and offer at/past midnight. You wouldn't want to eat if a giant was looming over you!

I thaw in a ziplock bag in warm water and then blast it with the hairdryer.

[Grimace]

my ball python fynn is such a BUTT.
i had to feed her a frozen fuzzy today because i don't have
any live feeder stores locally and have to go out to get them
and i had to cram the dang thing down her throat four
times before she took it the last .___. meanwhile she'll
just snatch the live right up. I KNOW IT'S NATURAL BUT WHY
MAKE LIFE DIFFICULT.

she's adorable though & i luv my snek

You're forcefeeding her?

[Taiger Lilly]

Yeah, I can usually get Buttercup to eat on schedule by using the variety of tricks noted here, it's just that she makes me work hard for it most of the time. If i just plop it in her bin(warmed of course) and leave her alone she wants nothing to do with it.

[darwins]

my ball python fynn is such a BUTT.
i had to feed her a frozen fuzzy today because i don't have
any live feeder stores locally and have to go out to get them
and i had to cram the dang thing down her throat four
times before she took it the last .___. meanwhile she'll
just snatch the live right up. I KNOW IT'S NATURAL BUT WHY
MAKE LIFE DIFFICULT.

she's adorable though & i luv my snek

You're forcefeeding her?

i was exaggerating, but yes, she takes live fine but
i don't always have the ability to purchase them when necessary and
she wont take dead. she's perfectly fine and healthy though, just in
case you're inclined to offer any judgement.

[Check the PO Box]

This is Crowley, he is ball python and around 5 years old and he is very good.
Also named after the king of hell in Supernatural.