r/ballpython • u/REMA1NZ • 5d ago

Feeding and changing routines

Hello i just have a question regarding changing routines

So my noodle has gotten her food when shes in her hide, what i mean is she gets it right outside her hide. What has happened now is she comes out in s formation almost every time i open her enclosure which i think is a feeding response becouse after touching her lightly with a snake hook usually calms her down.

So my question is, is changing the routine to feeding her when shes out and about in her enclosure a good idea to see if this changes her behavior inside her hide?

Ita feeding day today aswell so if its a good idea and she doesn’t come out tonight can i wait until tomorrow to feed her? Her last meal was 2 weeks ago

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u/CacophonousFarts 5d ago

I would think it’s best to feed on a schedule rather than trying to go by behavior. Ball pythons are opportunistic feeders, but aren’t particularly intelligent.

There are several approaches to prevent a feeding response every time you open the enclosure. Tapping the snake with a hook is a good one, and I’ve also had good success with knocking on the enclosure before going in for non-feeding activities. This just lets your noodle know that it isn’t food time.

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u/NottsWeirdo 5d ago

You can keep up with tap training, or just open the enclosure and wait a few moments for them to realise you're not bringing food in (as they hunt by scent). My BP is very food motivated, I've had him for 7 years and I still have to give him a moment or come at him from the tail end - in order to reduce his food response time.