Can I cut back on feeding?

[Lferg]

I have been feeding my BP once a week. Shes about 8 months old now. She was getting fuzzy rats but about a month ago I found a source for ASFs so the prey shes been getting is about the max size I would think she can handle. She has gotten fatter for sure but my main concern is the amount she poops and pees now. It seems like every time I handle her shes going potty.... Should that be a concern. I have always heard they go not that often. Should I go to once every other week feeding? or am I just crazy? Plus she looks very dull like she needs to shed but she wont... All temps and RH are steady and correct...

[Skittles1101]

I don't think it's the food, from what I've heard some get accustomed to letting it go on their owners...think of it as a term of endearment

[Coils]

I wouldn't cut back on feeding to be honest. Most ball pythons eat once a week without a problem and I'd say if she wants to eat, let her eat each week. Especially if that's what you've been doing up until now anyway.

Then again it's really up to you, some people DO feed every other week when their ball pythons get up to a certain weight or to cut down during breeding season.

As far as the shedding goes, they don't shed the skin right after they go blue. They always look dull for some time after and usually shed just fine in the end. I'd just wait longer to see and then if she starts to peel in odd spots or gets REALLY wrinkled looking, give her a lukewarm water soak for about 30 minutes in a tub. Not deep enough for her to drown!

Forgot to add- My spider pees on me EVERY single time I get him out. So I don't think going to the bathroom often is a concern here.

[decensored]

I wouldn't cut back - in fact it sounds to me that your underfeeding right now. My 8 month old BP is eating small adult rats, and its a male. Females will get bigger than males. When they are full grown than its not a big deal if you want to cut down their meals in frequency as long as they are still healthy - but you need to make sure you are feeding size appropriate meals. The rule of thumb is 10% - 15% of the BP's body weight or about the size of the thickest part of the snake.

ASF's are good but if you are planning on switching your feeder source regularly than you might run into problems. Some BP's wont switch off of ASF once they are being fed them steadily. Generally if you have your BP on Norway rats and they are eating regularly than you shouldn't switch. As a prey source they are the most readily available source and your BP will not outgrow their size parameters. ASF's will be too small for an adult BP. One of my girls will only eat ASF and she takes 4 each feeding.

As for urinating, they do it frequently and they have no control over when they go. I have a BP than only poohs every month or so, and I have another one that goes every week. They are both on the same feeding schedule and there is nothing wrong with either of them.

7 days is a good feeding regiment, and personally I wouldn't feed less often - especially for a growing female.

Hope this helps ,
chris.

[devildog_dk]

What's her weight and what's the general weight of the ASFs you're giving her?

And if she's going that regularly but they're still solid and normal looking I'd think of that as a positive.

For a growing female a 5 day schedule would be ideal if she's willing to eat that often.

[Simple Man]

I don't see any reason to cut back. You have a young growing snake.

Regards,

B

[mpkeelee]

8 months old and feeding weekly is normal. She has a lot of growing left so cut back. Just offer an appropriate ASF once a week like you've been doing and just watch her grow.