Trying to figure out a feeding schedule...

Hi Gang,

I've had 3 successful feedings with my baby ball now. Last time he ate was last wed. I decided to stop at the pet shop and pick up a mouse on the way home, just to see if he was hungry. It's only been 5 days but I figure I would try. The baby mice they had seemed a little big but I thought I would try it.

The instant I put the mouse in the tank BOOM! He ate the thing instantly and fit it down his throat rather easily!

This is the FIRST time he has eaten the moment I put the mouse in....does this mean he is hungry? Should I offer another mouse tomorrow? I'm assuming this is a great sign that he is now comfy in his new home...

Anyways, just wanted everyone's thoughts on this.

You didn't say how big your baby was, but I'd feed what I would
Consider a baby every 5 days.

As yodawagon said, it depends on the snake and prey. If you are weighing the snake and prey, it should be around 10-15% of the snakes body weight. If you're going by size, the diameter of the prey should be close to that of your snake, or maybe a tad larger... so that it gives a light bulge in the snakes belly. Not too much. If you're feeding prey around this size/weight, I would not feed any more often than every 5 days. Maybe that's just me... but I think that is plenty to keep a healthy snake.

Then again, if your "baby" is 300 grams, and you're feeding it a fuzzy mouse, it's going to be hungry all the time as that isn't sufficient food for the snakes size.

Where can I buy a weight scale?

Target, Walmart, ebay, etc....

I would only get digital. You want it to go up to at least 2000g, if not 5000g (for big girls).


Here is one from eBay....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/7Kg-15lbs-x-...8AAOSwnDZT~VqK

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Originally Posted by ArabianOak

Hi Gang,

I've had 3 successful feedings with my baby ball now. Last time he ate was last wed. I decided to stop at the pet shop and pick up a mouse on the way home, just to see if he was hungry. It's only been 5 days but I figure I would try. The baby mice they had seemed a little big but I thought I would try it.

The instant I put the mouse in the tank BOOM! He ate the thing instantly and fit it down his throat rather easily!

This is the FIRST time he has eaten the moment I put the mouse in....does this mean he is hungry? Should I offer another mouse tomorrow? I'm assuming this is a great sign that he is now comfy in his new home...

Anyways, just wanted everyone's thoughts on this.

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When you say, "baby mice" what exactly do you mean?

A BP hatchling right out of the egg can take a mouse hopper. They move to adults within a few weeks.

Don't be overly excited to feed frequently.

If your snake has not digested and passed its previous meal, you are feeding too soon.

If the meal makes a slight, but noticeable lump after its fed, you have the right sized prey.

Your snake should eat, digest and eliminate its food in a very predictable manner. Wait until the full process is complete before feeding again.

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Originally Posted by Gio

Wait until the full process is complete before feeding again.

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I have to disagree with this. Every snake is different. I have one that will eliminate every 3 days like clockwork and another that only goes once every 3 feedings. There is no need to wait for them to eliminate between feedings.


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Originally Posted by SmoothScales

I have to disagree with this. Every snake is different. I have one that will eliminate every 3 days like clockwork and another that only goes once every 3 feedings. There is no need to wait for them to eliminate between feedings.

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Right and wrong......
Hatchlings can be fed more often because they are trying to grow BUT any snake fed too often is just going to blow it out the other end.
If you weigh your snakes more often you can actually see this happen.
I weigh mine weekly before I feed and when I see an animal pooping every week or two and hovering at the same weight it was a couple weeks ago I know everything going in is also coming right out and is wasted.
When this happens, I cut back on either size or skip a week.

I use to and still do believe in offering till they refuse but not so much once they get around the 700ish gram mark.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SmoothScales

I have to disagree with this. Every snake is different. I have one that will eliminate every 3 days like clockwork and another that only goes once every 3 feedings. There is no need to wait for them to eliminate between feedings.


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I have to disagree as well. My ball python might eat three or four times before pooping. If I Fed mine only after it pooped out the previous it be the size of a pencil and not growing at all.