Ball Python Feeding question...

Phecke · #1 (**permalink**) 07-13-2008, 04:59 AM

I have what I'm guessing is around a 6-8 month old ball python. I really don't know how old he is as I got him from PetCo in late March. When I got him he was pretty thin, not skin and bones, and probably about 22 inches long. He is now about 24 inches long and has put on a good bit of girth. I started out feeding him 3 fuzzy mice over the course of 2 weeks, so about once every 5 days. I then stepped him up to one hopper mouse every week. After considering the weight of the meal he was getting, he was getting more per week with the two fuzzies than with the one hopper. So I've started feeding him a hopper and then 5 days later a fuzzy, an then 4-5 days after that a hopper. Does this sound ok? Or should I maybe feed him two hoppers a week? For reference, here's a picture of him.

TL,DR version: I have a 6-8 month old BP, he's about 2ft long. What should I be feeding him?

ssjsmits · #2 (**permalink**) 07-13-2008, 05:01 AM

Bp's a chunky monkeys. Can't say for certain, but if you are feeding that much, that frequent, I'd say an adult mouse is in order. Or perhaps make the switch to a weaned rat.

louise · #3 (**permalink**) 07-13-2008, 05:04 AM

mice have very little meat on them. feed him a rat the size of his girth once a week till he is a year old and then feed him every 2 weeks.

Phecke · #4 (**permalink**) 07-13-2008, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssjsmits

Bp's a chunky monkeys. Can't say for certain, but if you are feeding that much, that frequent, I'd say an adult mouse is in order. Or perhaps make the switch to a weaned rat.

I'm just worried that an adult mouse is too big for him. I don't want to give him something too fat as he's not very fat himself. He's my first and only snake, so I figured I'd err on the side of caution.

Shows his girth a bit better maybe?

ssjsmits · #5 (**permalink**) 07-13-2008, 05:09 AM

Up to you. I bet that snake is a chick too.

Phecke · #6 (**permalink**) 07-13-2008, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssjsmits

Up to you. I bet that snake is a chick too.

Haha, I was afraid of that, I was told by the guy at the store that he (maybe she) was a male, but I didn't trust his judgment really, but he maybe knew more than me. I suppose I need to get him (her) probed. Either way his (or her once again) name will stay Nigel, haha. Where is a good website or local place in Atlanta to get frozen rats?

DjN · #7 (**permalink**) 07-13-2008, 04:06 PM

I'm with ssj on this one best to get your BP on a weened rat, Rats are more nutritious then mice. The rule of thumb for feeding is one prey item that when swallowed leaves a slight mid body buldge every week. Once your snake is a year and a half to two years you can bump back feeding to every other week.

spike06 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-13-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phecke

Haha, I was afraid of that, I was told by the guy at the store that he (maybe she) was a male, but I didn't trust his judgment really, but he maybe knew more than me. I suppose I need to get him (her) probed. Either way his (or her once again) name will stay Nigel, haha. Where is a good website or local place in Atlanta to get frozen rats?

i have yet to find one. the only frozen rats i have seen are mediums i think. i buy frozen mice from Petsmart.

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