Should I be Feeding My BP with Goldfish AND Mice?

I used to have a friend who would have their Ball Python eat Rats, Fish (feeder Goldfish) and Frogs ocassionaly... My question is (since I am a new owner) should I be feeding my BP a mix of Mice and Fish? Or just mice? They are frozen mice btw.... Thanks everyone! :bounce:

Fed it fish and frogs? Pics or it didn't happen... ;)

well this was when it was juvenile and it was at least 10 years ago lol

I have not once heard of feeding goldfish to a BP... I mean, I guess it couldn't HURT, but I'm pretty sure they need the quality of red meats to sustain, so maybe the goldfish were an occasional treat? I don't think I'd personally try it, with how picky BPs can be. If a snake likes the taste of a fish, it may not want to go back to rodents, which could pose a supplemental issue.

I'm willing to bet money that you couldn't even get a bp to eat a fish, voluntarily.

EDIT: skip or wes may have some randomn study from the 70s that proves me wrong, but i really doubt it here...

Sometimes i just sit here and laugh at your comic genius Mike. Lol.

But yeah, rats will give your snake all the nutrients it needs, don't worry. With an occasional supplement if prescribed by a vet.

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic lol. I was being 100% serious though. Ball pythons see their prey mainly by heat and smell. If it isn't hot like rat and doesn't smell like rat... Its probably not gunna go for it.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

I'm willing to bet money that you couldn't even get a bp to eat a fish, voluntarily.

EDIT: skip or wes may have some randomn study from the 70s that proves me wrong, but i really doubt it here...

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I can just picture a bp trying to constrict a slippery goldfish...would be pretty comical...

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Originally Posted by sho220

I can just picture a bp trying to constrict a slippery goldfish...would be pretty comical...

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Well like 10years ago it was different though... ;)

The issue with BP (not talking of any other snakes) is that they have a natural tendency to be finicky eaters.

The chances of your BP eating something else than mice or rats is very slim and even if it does you want to avoid feeding something that is not readily available and accepted by your BP.

Feeding issues are the number one problem with BP, keep it simple.