Is it time to go up?

[adamsmasher]

My monty is just over 800 grams and I've been feeding him 60g rats (frozen of course) for the past 8 months or so, he can eat one with ease now is it time for me to go to something larger, say a hippo? Just kidding, I'm thinking maybe he's ready for a gerbil? Thanks

[dreese88]

Unless gerbils are cheap and or readily accessible to you I prolly wouldn't go with a gerbil, ball pythons will sometimes only eat one thing if they like it enough, maybe see if you can get some bigger rats

[starmom]

I would go with a medium rat (anywhere from 80g to 110g)

[adamsmasher]

problem is I don't know where I can get critter that size around here, and I'm guessing @ this stage of the game I'm not going to be able to get large rats frozen so I'm going to have to bop em' over the head before I feed them?

[Slim]

I don't know where I can get critter that size around here

http://www.rodentpro.com/

They are pretty good shippers...mine are still frozen when I get home from work...I just don't tell the girls in the Apartment Office what they signed for

[adamsmasher]

you guys are awesome! thanks. Now I feed every 7 days as they get older should I slow down (say every 10 days)? BTW whats a mature or breedable python weigh?

[Slim]

Smasher - here's a huge thread about feeding....lots of different views on that subject.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=64321

I have a little baby boy, so I haven't figured out the adult feeding for myself yet.

[starmom]

you guys are awesome! thanks. Now I feed every 7 days as they get older should I slow down (say every 10 days)? BTW whats a mature or breedable python weigh?

I wait until my girls are at least 1500g and three winters old before considering them for breeding potential (I weigh them on empty). I also feed my larger and older snakes anywhere from 7-10 days. I order my feeders from The Mouse Factory and have always been incredibly happy with the product. I have ordered from other places but have found them lacking when compared to TMF

[simplechamp]

so I'm going to have to bop em' over the head before I feed them?

Some don't take too kindly to that method of dispatching rodents around here. If you do decide to do it that way you might want to keep it to yourself. I'm not going to give my opinion about what I think about the subject, just wanted to let you know what to expect.