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Feeding Size

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  • 02-20-2018, 01:16 PM
    PhilBucc
    Feeding Size
    Hi everyone,
    I'm new here and just got my first ball python a little over a week ago. Everything is going great and I've learned a lot from these forums as well as reddit. My BP, Dorissssss was fed for the first time since I got her this past Saturday. After she ate I noticed she was active after. I have read that these are signs of still being hungry so I figured I would go with a bigger mouse or rat next time I feed her. To be honest the mouse I fed her did seem a bit small. Is there a way to determine the size of what you should feed your BP. I read that people say 15% of their weight but I don't have a scale to weigh her. Is there another way or a place I can post a picture of her so people can see? Some other information if it helps, I was told she is around 8 months to a year old when I got her!
    Thanks for the help!
  • 02-20-2018, 01:53 PM
    c0r3yr0s3
    Re: Feeding Size
    Download tapatalk and post pictures directly from your phone. I don't weigh my prey. Instead of weighing I go by the thickest part of the snake. The proper prey size should leave a slight lump
  • 02-20-2018, 01:55 PM
    MD_Pythons
    Re: Feeding Size
    Go by weight, not age. And I think you're looking for this. And get a scale, it will be useful for keeping snakes. I just a simple kitchen scale.
  • 02-20-2018, 02:03 PM
    c0r3yr0s3
    Re: Feeding Size
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by MD_Pythons View Post
    Go by weight, not age. And I think you're looking for this. And get a scale, it will be useful for keeping snakes. I just a simple kitchen scale.

    I saved that chart for this kind of thread and forgot all about it https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3853c7c9e8.jpg
  • 02-20-2018, 05:02 PM
    PhilBucc
    Re: Feeding Size
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by c0r3yr0s3 View Post
    Download tapatalk and post pictures directly from your phone. I don't weigh my prey. Instead of weighing I go by the thickest part of the snake. The proper prey size should leave a slight lump

    Didn't know there was an app, thanks. Here's a picture. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9ecb8992dc.jpg

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
  • 02-20-2018, 05:07 PM
    c0r3yr0s3
    Re: Feeding Size
    Nice!!!

    What size did you feed last time?
  • 02-20-2018, 05:50 PM
    Craiga 01453
    Congrats on your first snake!!

    The chart posted above is a great reference. You want to aim for 10-15% of the snakes body weight. Or, something roughly as wide as the snakes widest part. After the snake eats there should be a slightly noticeable lump.

    Grab yourself a kitchen scale, $20 or less from Wal-Mart, Amazon, etc...
  • 02-20-2018, 07:45 PM
    PhilBucc
    Re: Feeding Size
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by c0r3yr0s3 View Post
    Nice!!!

    What size did you feed last time?

    Normal sized mouse. I go to a local pet store and get them weekly and that's what they said she would be good with. For comparison it was slightly bigger than her head which is why I feel I should go bigger.

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
  • 02-20-2018, 07:47 PM
    c0r3yr0s3
    Re: Feeding Size
    Sounds like a "hopper" mouse. Definitely go bigger.

    Edit: I can't really tell the size of your snake in the picture but I would suggest no smaller than a rat pup
  • 02-20-2018, 08:32 PM
    larryd23
    Re: Feeding Size
    We stole this scale from our kitchen. You can buy it on Amazon for $18.99.

    It works great for our baby boi (now 470 grams).

    https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-FS-.../dp/B00KICLN4C
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