Underweight Python :(

Hi,

I recently got a female ball python (3 months old according to her previous owners) and I'm concerned about her weight. I've only had her just over a week. When I got her, her previous owners had her eating 1 pinkie mouse F/T once a week. They told me to continue this routine, but she seemed thin so I tried giving her 2 pinkies the next meal. She refused the second pinkie, but took the first very easily. I was recently advised that she should be eating much larger mice, then eventually rats. I'd prefer to keep her on F/T, but what size should she be eating? I love my girl and know she should be eating better. There are pictures of her on my profile. Thanks!

if it's the snake with the name of violet. then a small or medium mouse should be ok the pinky is too small

Feeder size should be roughly equivalent to the widest part of her body. Another way to do it is weigh the BP and feed it a mouse or pinkie rat that is about 15% its body weight.

If it is used to mice right now and takes them once a week, you can try to "scent" a pinkie with the mouse if you prefer to do rats only, I have 2 younger ones that were fed mice when they hatched so I have to 'scent' for them each feeding. I am very much hoping that the 'scenting' part of it won't last very long and they will begin to just take rats cuz I HATE mice, they smell SO bad, but I had to buy a trio to try to breed them this past month to get my girls to eat something.

What's her weight mate?

I'd switch to mice, you're probably just overwhelming her with two pinkys at a time.

Judging by the picture of her in your hand I'd go with hopper or adult mice.

I would go with an adult mouse or rat pup every five days..... :gj:

Thanks everyone :) I don't want to startle her, so I'm going to slowly increase her meal size. Last night she took 2 fuzzies for me and loved every second of it. I will get this girl up to a lovely size very soon :)

All hatchlings I purchased had pretty much fed on fuzzies for a few meals and maybe a rat pup before I got them. All mine are around 100g- 175g now and take ~15-20g rat pups no problem.