Is This True.....

[L.West]

I heard once that if you do not regularly increase the size of prey that you feed to your BP that their head will not grow properly and remain very small and basically abnormal.

Is this true?? I am concerned because at this point - my bp prefers small prey - she refuses to take larger prey - I don't want her head to stay small and the rest of her to continue to grow out of proportion.

If anyone knows whether this is just non-sense, please let me know.

Thank you.

[blackcrystal22]

Sounds like nonsense to me.
The only thing wrong with feeding too small of prey items is they won't receive the amount of energy spent on digestion back from the meal item.

[L.West]

Since my bp will only take small rats (weanlings) I offer her two now at each feeding. Is this okay.

[blackcrystal22]

Since my bp will only take small rats (weanlings) I offer her two now at each feeding. Is this okay.

Small rats are fine for most ball pythons. I wouldn't get anything above a medium rat ever for some of the largest ball pythons.

Most likely, feeding one small rat a week is plentiful unless over 1000 grams, then I would go up to a medium rat or two small rats. I feed my big male 2 small rats just because he's a porker, but I only feed him every other week. He'll get medium rats soon, but not for another 4-500 grams.

Your doing fine.

[LadyOhh]

Not true

Head size is only dependant on genetics and birth abnormalities

[L.West]

Well, Thank god that isn't true - I was worried.

My bp is almost 800 grams in size but still prefers the weanlings - what is up with that. The weanlings are about 30/40 grams each and I offer her two each week - some weeks she takes them both but other weeks will only take one.

[oliverstwist]

Well, Thank god that isn't true - I was worried.

My bp is almost 800 grams in size but still prefers the weanlings - what is up with that. The weanlings are about 30/40 grams each and I offer her two each week - some weeks she takes them both but other weeks will only take one.

she just may not be hungry

[L.West]

But, is two weanling rats each weighing in at about 30/40 grams - enough food for an 800 gram bp??

I tried to offer her small rats that were about 70 grams each and she just refused to even attempt to eat them which is why I went back to the weanlings.

I don't mind buying her weanlings but wanted to be sure she was getting enough nutrition from them

Thanks.

[blackcrystal22]

But, is two weanling rats each weighing in at about 30/40 grams - enough food for an 800 gram bp??

I tried to offer her small rats that were about 70 grams each and she just refused to even attempt to eat them which is why I went back to the weanlings.

I don't mind buying her weanlings but wanted to be sure she was getting enough nutrition from them

Thanks.

IMO yes. Especially with two per feeding.

[L.West]

Glad to hear it. I just want her to be healthy and happy. I offer her food every Wednesday - like stated earlier - sometimes she will take both but then other weeks she will only take one. I guess I just need to stop stressing and assume she knows what she feels like eating - LOL!!!! That is the control freak in me coming out!!!!