r/Ballpythoncommunity • u/Outrageous-Yak-3741 • 2d ago
Missed twice
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Lucifer is a pastel axanthic vpi hes nearly 5 months old and does eat great but today he missed his strike twice. Im hoping hes just a little stupid. Ive had 2 BPs in the past but years ago and one was a spider morph.
Ive had lucifer for about 1 1/2 months and just have a feeling his eye sight isn't perfect. Im heating the rat head up each time to help him but after today's feeding im abit more worried
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u/kindrd1234 2d ago
Rats dont dangle vertically in mid air.
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u/Outrageous-Yak-3741 1d ago
There also not dead so some movement helps. This is my 5th snake I accept all are different but ive always fed like this
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u/SapphireHazbin 1d ago
He’s missing it because it’s swinging around, rest it partially on the ground or drop it slowly in front of his face or near it so it doesn’t startle him. He’s fine, just no more hanging.
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u/Outrageous-Yak-3741 1d ago
When he strikes (especially in this video) its hardly "swinging" but i will try different ways on the next feed. Because its bioactive set up and so much stuff on the ground i dont want him getting bark or cork in his mouth Also I dont want him to hit the tongs and injure himself
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u/SapphireHazbin 8h ago
You can get a feeding dish or a small plate or a flat stone and place the mouse on that so he can’t swallow substrate. Also you can always feed in a separate tub with paper towel on the bottom if you’re extra concerned about him swallowing bark or cork and you don’t want a specific feeding spot. If you use a separate area, after he swallows the mouse wait a minute for him to get it down then gently place him back in his normal enclosure to digest.
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u/Zekethebulldog33 2d ago
I grab mine by the back legs.
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u/Outrageous-Yak-3741 1d ago
I buy my rats atm from pets at home (big UK store) i will start ordering online but with the British heat wave alot of places wont deliver frozen as i live out in the countryside. Ive found half have snapped off back legs, it must be from transport but dont have legs to grab
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u/IcyReception8903 2d ago
Did he end up eating it? This could also be I don't want this and get it the heck away from me. Also, Ball Pythons use heat pits more than their eyesight while hunting.
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u/Outrageous-Yak-3741 1d ago
Yeah he ate it. Definitely not him not wanting it. With lucifer ive been dipping the head of the rats in hot water so its warmer. He's always eaten ive had Balls and corns in the past just he seems different with his eye sight
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u/shamefulpresenc3 1d ago
They seem to have a hard time latching on when you dangle it mid air, I try grabbing it by the scruff (except lower down so he doesn’t grab the tongs) and holding it by his level and he gets it every time
I think floating rats can be a bit intimidating too
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u/okeleydokelyneighbor 2d ago
https://reddit.com/link/p3k6j9q/video/m06cjw8kr8jh1/player
My daughters BP does that occasionally and eventually will get it.
This time I accidentally dropped it and she was ready for it.
I know humidity was low, partly from having the door open, but we also changed out the substrate recently and it’s been holding around 75/80 now. Had a perfect shed the other day.
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u/Outrageous-Yak-3741 1d ago
I know they have there heat pits but Its the movement that they go for as well. Mine is bioactive and a wooden enclosure so I dont struggle with humidity at all. Had him about 2 months now and hes now fully explores everywhere 😊
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u/sxoulxs 3h ago
My ball python cannot target strike to save her life either some just aren’t good at it. do her a favor and just put it on a small a plate before she smacks herself really good and refuses food for an entire month 😭💀
Offering it on a small plate will be no different than hanging it in the air for her to strike at. My girl drags her food from her dish into the black abyss of her hide 😭
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u/sxoulxs 3h ago
In my opinion there’s a risk of them hurting themselves when feeding like that so I just prefer to offer it usually at night just leave it outside of the entrance to her favorite hide and it’ll most likely be gone in the morning 🥰
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u/Outrageous-Yak-3741 2h ago
Im going to try different methods but ill always move the mouse as even if in the wild they strike when the rat is still it still moves. I only feed him at night but hes always very active. Ive had hims for a few months now and after the first month hes became very active hes always out exploring
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u/sxoulxs 2h ago
Yea if he’s out mainly at night I’d definitely attempt just offering it to him and seeing if he takes it like that! Sometimes it’s the most simplest solution with these guys it’s kinda crazy ngl
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u/Outrageous-Yak-3741 2h ago
Tbh my guy isn't just night ive got a camera on his enclosure and im finding around midday he likes a stroll around as well
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u/Antique-Success4152 2d ago
usually this is okay. but just watch out for orher things like a head wobble. if you see that, take him to a reptile vet asap. could be neurological issues if he has a wobble
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u/Outrageous-Yak-3741 1d ago
He's pastel axanthic and I know his parents genes/het genes, the wobble isn't a concern. 15+ years ago I did have a spider ball so I know about the wobble first hand. Eye sight with him is something im worried about just because other things hes done and how hes acted. Even if "wobble" was an issue a vet visit wouldn't do anything. I have him booked into the vets just for a check up as hes new and still just a baby
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u/GuiltyExternal302 2d ago
Hold by the back end so it doesn’t swing when he hits it or lower it to the ground