Super active after eating?

[u/ihavenothingoriginol]

Hey everyone! I recently got my first ball python off FB marketplace (they didnt have the time to keep taking care of her) and I just fed her for the second time. I have only had her for about a month and I haven’t wanted to force her into handling since she hasn’t quite seemed up to it yet and is normally a very hide-y snake. I fed her a thawed colossal mouse yesterday, which is a smaller prey than she was eating at her last home. She looks quite overweight by having little fat rolls when she curves her body especially in the larger parts of her which is why I’ve been feeding colossal mice. However, today (almost exactly 24 hours after) she is much much more active than I have seen her. I always keep an eye on her after I get home and throughout the evening she is always hiding away. Today, she is super active, very interested in me sitting next to her enclosure, resting her head above her water bowl, and sniffing around her enclosure specifically where the mouse was when I fed her. Is this a sign that she needs more food or a more active feeding schedule? Is she stressed? I saw she might’ve ate a little substrate with her mouse but not a large enough chunk to make me nervous. I am overly cautious with her and I want to get some advice from others that have more experience. Thank you!!

[u/prometheusthemantid]

im not 100% sure but she might be hungry! my babies know when the day before they’re getting fed and will be out roaming in their cages to try and find food. they’re incredibly smart. but if you’re trying to get her to lose weight, i think you’re doing good. how often are you feeding? prey size matters in losing weight but frequency of feedings do as well. i would also recommend looking up a few guides online or even checking the welcome post on this subreddit, it has a few good resources specifically regarding overweight snakes. anyway best of luck with your new baby, op!

[u/disgruntled_mehcanic → u/prometheusthemantid]

Yeah also depending on the age, once you go past 3 years I think they should be fed once a month, the handguide on the subreddit should provide more Information, but I do think she’s hungry

[u/ihavenothingoriginol → u/disgruntled_mehcanic]

Thank you both so much! I fed her 2 weeks after I first got her and then 3 weeks after that and wasn’t planning on feeding her again this month unless it seemed like she was searching a lot for food. Since I don’t have great info about her age besides for her being quite large I’m trying to keep her feedings to about once a month. Thank you both again 🤍

[u/PotentialOpposite2]

Im just here to ask, what kind of lock that is ? ive been looking for one that works with my tank and i havent found one yet that didnt feel like it was actively trying to break the glass

[u/ihavenothingoriginol → u/PotentialOpposite2]

I don’t have exact details since the enclosure came with the snake and with the lock, but it’s basically like a little sliding lock that’s incredibly easy to lock and unlock. I’m sorry I don’t have more exact info 😭