First Ball Python, Feeding Question

[jdx]

Hey guys,

Just got my first ball python, he's a 3 month old male. I had him shipped from a breeder having only seen a picture, and before he arrived I went out and bought some feeder mice. I chose hopper mice and rat pups thinking he'd be eating in this size range.

24 hours after I got him he had already explored his cage, found his hide, seemed like he was comfortable and not being sure when the last time he ate, I thought I'd see what he would do if he smelled a mouse. So I put one on the top of his enclosure and his head came out and got all curious, I ended up feeding him the smallest hopper mouse. He pounded it and stayed in the ready position for striking after that. Seemed like the little guy was still hungry.

I waited two days and then fed him the second smallest hopper. Again ate it no problem and started crawling around looking around his tank before finding his hide.

I weighed him today, he's 119grams and approximately 18-20 inches long (still balls up when handling so I can't say for sure his length).

The last two hoppers in the box are 8 and 10 grams, the first two he ate were smaller but I can't say for sure the size. Definitely feeling he can go up in size, he's way bigger around than the hoppers (about 3 2/8 ") but I want to finish off the hoppers before I try the rat pups.

So my question is, is feeding him these small meals every few days ok? I've read about feeding multiple smaller prey in one feeding, is maybe two in one sitting the better way to go? Or am I ok to let him eat one hopper every few days til he finishes them off and then move onto the larger rat pups and then of course put more time in between feedings?

I know feeding every few days is more frequent than recommended but from what I'm reading it sounds like he's eating meals half the size of what he should be. And he seems hungry after feeding! Goes searching and smelling around the tank and then eventually to the hide to digest.

Appreciate any feedback!

[Vypyrz]

Hello, and to BP.net, and congratulations on your new little friend. Whether you are feeding one prey item or multiples, the target weight of the prey items should be about 10%-15% of the snakes weight. And, feeding every 7 days is a good schedule.

[akskeeper]

Hey guys,

Just got my first ball python, he's a 3 month old male. I had him shipped from a breeder having only seen a picture, and before he arrived I went out and bought some feeder mice. I chose hopper mice and rat pups thinking he'd be eating in this size range.

24 hours after I got him he had already explored his cage, found his hide, seemed like he was comfortable and not being sure when the last time he ate, I thought I'd see what he would do if he smelled a mouse. So I put one on the top of his enclosure and his head came out and got all curious, I ended up feeding him the smallest hopper mouse. He pounded it and stayed in the ready position for striking after that. Seemed like the little guy was still hungry.

I waited two days and then fed him the second smallest hopper. Again ate it no problem and started crawling around looking around his tank before finding his hide.

I weighed him today, he's 119grams and approximately 18-20 inches long (still balls up when handling so I can't say for sure his length).

The last two hoppers in the box are 8 and 10 grams, the first two he ate were smaller but I can't say for sure the size. Definitely feeling he can go up in size, he's way bigger around than the hoppers (about 3 2/8 ") but I want to finish off the hoppers before I try the rat pups.

So my question is, is feeding him these small meals every few days ok? I've read about feeding multiple smaller prey in one feeding, is maybe two in one sitting the better way to go? Or am I ok to let him eat one hopper every few days til he finishes them off and then move onto the larger rat pups and then of course put more time in between feedings?

I know feeding every few days is more frequent than recommended but from what I'm reading it sounds like he's eating meals half the size of what he should be. And he seems hungry after feeding! Goes searching and smelling around the tank and then eventually to the hide to digest.

Appreciate any feedback!

My guy is 197 grams and I feed him a full size mouse on friday and on tuesday mine wont take rats so as of right now this is what is working with mine he did the same thing your guys is dojng also make sure what ever tyou are feeding him is about the size of the thickest part of his body

[jdx]

Cool, thanks for the feedback guys. Guess I'll let him finish off these last few hoppers and then step him up to some bigger meals! I'm just happy he seems to have a really healthy appetite and so quickly after moving him into his new home

[Shera]

Sure, it's fine to feed those smaller prey items every other day or so until they are gone. I usually feed snakes of that age/size an appropriate sized prey item about every 4-5 days, not every 7, but everyone is different. For hatchlings 10-15% is a good estimate of appropriate size, and you want to see a bit of a lump in the snake. Rats are better to start out with because they are bigger and when your BP reaches a certain size the largest mouse will be too small and it's harder to switch adults than it is juvies (I think mainly because juvies tend to have a very strong instinct to feed and aren't yet set in their ways). I would use all but one mouse, then try a rat. If it refuses then try rubbing the mouse on the rat to scent it. Good luck with your new little guy!

[jdx]

Thanks Shera, exactly what I was wondering! The hoppers are definitely too small, I just didn't want to overload him feeding little meals too often. But I weighed and calculated everything and it looks like these little hoppers every couple days is roughly equivalent to the 10-15% amount every 5 days.

I've got 2 hopper mice left, in a bag together with a 10 gram rat pup that was considerably smaller than the others. I also rubbed a rat pup on the last hopper mouse he ate to introduce him to the smell, and he took it fine. Next I'll try his first rat with the mouse smell on it

Thanks for the info!