new here.. got a couple questions

[StarLight3604]

I work for the Humane Society and we got a BP in last saturday and I'm adopting it since I've always wanted one. Is there anyway to tell how old BP's are? How many mice should i feed to him every week? I thawed out a frozen mouse monday night and he seemed to enjoy it but I'm not sure if one is enough for him. He's about 3 feet long. This is going to be my first BP and I'm very excited about finally owning one. I'm looking forward to learning more about them and getting to know everyone here as well.

[Shelby]

welcome to the boards!

You can only estimate age by size. At 3' a female would be around a year to a year and a half, a male could be two years or even more, since some males stop growing at 3'. (someone correct me if I'm wrong)

One mouse is not much for a 3' snake. General rule is feed one prey item that is as big around as the snake's belly is at it's widest point.

[ladywhipple02]

Okay... first of all, welcome! You'll find that there is a wealth of information here just waiting to be found


Secondly, I don't think there's any specific way to find out how old a BP is. If it's three feet it's more than likely an adult with not a lot more growing in store.

Third, if you can get him to take them, feed rats. If you can't get him to take rats, feed him whatever he'll take. It's awesome that he's already on f/t. That makes your job a little easier. You'll find, however, that sometimes they'll change eating habits, go off f/t to live or vise versa. BPs are extremely picky eaters... some more than others. I have a BP that took f/t for the first four weeks I had her, and now will only take live. Go figure. Also, feed him a rat that is as big around as he is at his widest point. I imagine your kid should be able to take small rats, if not medium ones. Depending on where you get your feeders, take a look at their size before you purchase. One appropriately sized prey item is much better than two or three smaller ones. (However, if that's all you have for now, and he still looks hungry, give him another). Keep him on a 7-10 feeding schedule.

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. Hope this helps!

[Adam_Wysocki]

I work for the Humane Society and we got a BP in last saturday and I'm adopting it since I've always wanted one. Is there anyway to tell how old BP's are? How many mice should i feed to him every week? I thawed out a frozen mouse monday night and he seemed to enjoy it but I'm not sure if one is enough for him. He's about 3 feet long. This is going to be my first BP and I'm very excited about finally owning one. I'm looking forward to learning more about them and getting to know everyone here as well.

Congrats! ... 1 mouse a week is PLENTY of food for a male ball python. If you start pushing larger food items on him he'll be much more prone to fast. I've got several adult males that eat 1 mouse a week and they are all in perfect condition.

-adam

[Adam_Wysocki]

Wow ... just saw that you're in Maryland! ... Me too ... I live in Laurel and my "shop" where I keep all of my ball pythons is in Catonsville!

Welcome to the site!

-adam

[daniel1983]

Third, if you can get him to take them, feed rats.......BPs are extremely picky eaters...

Feeding rats or mice is completely up to the keeper. Both food items provide the proper nutrition for ball pythons. The choice of what rodent to feed should be based on the availability of the rodents, ease of obtain the rodents, and the ball pythons preference. Ball pythons can be picky eaters for several reasons, but most reasons can be corrected with changes in husbandry. There are several reasons that can cause a bp to go 'off feed' with two of the most common being feeding too large of food items and improper temperatures in the enclosure.

One appropriately sized prey item is much better than two or three smaller ones.

I have never seen proof of this statement. Actually, many keepers and breeders will feed smaller meals. Many people have shown that feeding smaller meals can actually cause your ball pythons to eat much more consistantly.

[Adam_Wysocki]

One appropriately sized prey item is much better than two or three smaller ones.

Oh, I missed this one??? .... How is it "much better"? Is this your opinion, something that you've heard second hand, or do you have real data to back up your statement?

How would you even begin to measure how "much" better one food item would be compared to multiples?

-adam

[Shelby]

Geez, you guys waste no time to pick each other apart.

Just feed your snake whatever it'll eat, and be happy.

Ignore the bickering, it's completely normal.

[StarLight3604]

thanks for the replies.. I also forgot to ask about how I should keep the temps in the tank and humidity.. i do not plan on breeding him if that helps any.. at the moment i was given a 20 gallon tank with a heat rock, and some lights by someone i work with who had a BP but lost it.. I will be getting rid of the heat rock and replacing it with a undertank heater and i am planning on buying clips for the top so Groper (my BP) can't cat out.. what size tank is recommended for a 3 foot BP? I was thinking of getting him a 30 - 40 gallon tank but in the meantime the 20 gallon will do untill i get paid next week.

[Adam_Wysocki]

Geez, you guys waste no time to pick each other apart.

Just feed your snake whatever it'll eat, and be happy.

Ignore the bickering, it's completely normal.

You know me Shelby, I'm like the caped crusader of debunking ball python myths! ... Think I could get a "myth busters" like show on Animal Planet?? Although it would have to be only about ball pythons.

-adam