Food size vs BP width? Male vs female?

[redshepherd]

Just regarding the general rule to feed a ball python prey that is the same width as the widest point in their bodies:

Females have a much wider girth than males, at their widest point. Assuming there are two snakes, with the male and female's head and neck size being the same, but the female has a much wider girth... would I need to feed the female a larger sized prey?

And secondary question... I'm basically wondering what size I SHOULD be feeding Blackout. She's at 560g, and I still have about 20 weaned rats- but the weaned rat bodies are much thinner than she is at her widest point. Should she be eating one weaned rat a week, or two at once a week?

[frostysBP]

She could go to small rats for sure.I would just to two if she will take it

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[BCS]

Females typically will eat more then males as they grow larger and need more nutrition. So even though your female may be the same length but thicker as the male, the female is not done growing so should continue with the size of her girth. I have not had a male grow larger then 3 ft and my females not smaller then 4 ft.

You can either feed her two at once or feed her one every 5 days to make up for the lack.

[redshepherd]

Thanks!

Yep, she does take two at a time. I've been doing that the past couple weeks. I guess I'll finish up the 20 weaned rats in a couple months to get rid of them, then bump her up!