Can my snake eat mice?

[Mikekrause2000]

Hi, my name is Mike and since yesterday i am a proud ball python owner. I met Mitch at a Petco and had to pick him up. The guy at the store said he is too small to feed mice. But a few people getting ready for a big reptile expo in Manchester said he should be good to go on eating mice. He is a baby, about a foot and a half long. He ate 2 frozen hoppers last night. I want to know if next Friday if he is searching for food, if i can feed him a mouse. By the way i know about the frozen/living food thing. I dont want this post to turn into a discussion on the pros and cons of both and the risk of feeding live. Here is a picture of Mitch, and the feeders.

Mitch: http://img808.imageshack.us/i/mitcho.jpg/

Snacks: http://img42.imageshack.us/i/foodql.jpg/

[Stewart_Reptiles]

You need to eyeball it and try feeding a prey slightly small to equal your BP's girth size (widest part of your BP's body).

[Mikekrause2000]

You need to eyeball it and try feeding a prey slightly small to equal your BP's girth size (widest part of your BP's body).

can i feed him things like a few large crickets until he is big enough?

[m00kfu]

Ball pythons don't eat bugs.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

can i feed him things like a few large crickets until he is big enough?

Where did you do your research before getting a BP?

Here is where you need to start ASAP http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?127203 and http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?126316 and http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?126316 and http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?74289 and http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?30763

As for food I am gonna repeat one more time, feed him a mouse the same size than it's girth (WIDEST part of your BP's body) and do so every 5 to 7 days.

[kellysballs]

The short answer to your question is yes he can eat adult mice. I have had hatchlings eat adult mice at their 3 meal. Do your research with the links Deb has listed check out a few care sheets. Don't get intimidated, luckily keeping ball pythons is super easy.

Good Luck and Congrats on your new addition!

[sarahlovesmiike]

Personally, I'd go for a weanling rat.


They will not eat insects. Mice and rats (preferable). I don't like feeding mice, simply because BPs imprint on a specific prey item and will refuse everything else. This can be a pain because once the snake gets big you will start having to feed multiple mice, instead of once properly sized rat. Some snakes are fine with eating multiples, some will regurgitate from the constricting of a second prey item or if they are easily frightened they will regurgitate from the shock of the second mouse being presented.

[Quacking-Terror]

I just adopted a 7 week old BP today and he is a little smaller than Mitch, I believe. He has been eating fuzzies, live ones. I will be trying to get him to eat f/t, and I have been reading somewhere that letting them go a week without a meal before attempting to feed f/t from live is one method of trying to teach them to make the switch. I'm wondering if they are, like some animals, easier to "train" the younger they are.

[Mikekrause2000]

Thanks guys. I didnt read anywhere that they eat insects. I heard that they have poor eyesight so i figured they would eat anything that moves, like a large cricket. But now i know, and friday when its feeding time i will feed him a live mouse.

[Sammy412]

Younger doesn't necessarily mean easier to switch. I've had many adults switch with no problems. To avoid the issue, my babies get rats from the first meal on.