Overweight Juvenile BP??

Hello, all!

I bought my 2020 male Pastel BP in September 2020. When I purchased him, he was eating frozen thawed hoppers. He's always been a very good eater - I feed him once a week (every Wednesday to be exact). In November, I upgraded him to frozen thawed adult mice. I wasn't noticing any sort of lump in his belly, so I decided to consult with my local reptile store to see what they recommended. They said I should try feeding him frozen thawed XL mice. Since December, he's been on frozen thawed XL mice and still eats every Wednesday. I know BPs are a heftier type of snake, but I don't want him to be getting too pouchy. Please see the attached photos below - any and all advice would be very appreciated!

https://imgur.com/lEQlHQC

https://imgur.com/Vqc2FLz

https://imgur.com/iYB0ofJhttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach....com/a/32Xwo9Z
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ur.com/lEQlHQC

I would want to switch your BP to rats ASAP as they can imprint on mice and not want to switch to rats especially as they get older.

In his case, a (F/T) weaned rat is fine. Every 7 days is okay, but I would recommend going to every 10-14 days soon. Once on small rats, which should be the biggest meal your BP should need, I would be feeding every 14 days.

The chart below is good for BP prey size up to medium rats (which even females don't need unless huge IMO). Smaller meals are easier to digest and BP's are very efficient, especially as older animals. I don't think it's great at time between meals. Adult animals should be eating every 2 weeks unless breeding.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...ding_chart.jpg

XL mice are a really bad idea. They have a much higher fat percentage. Get him over to rats.

He does look overweight. Not drastically, but enough I would slow things down. You don't have to see a lump in a BP, especially in an overweight one. Base things by his weight to get the best results. Pick up a kitchen scale if you don't have one. They are cheap.

Thank you! I will get him switched over to small rats next week.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nikkubus

XL mice are a really bad idea. They have a much higher fat percentage. Get him over to rats.

He does look overweight. Not drastically, but enough I would slow things down. You don't have to see a lump in a BP, especially in an overweight one. Base things by his weight to get the best results. Pick up a kitchen scale if you don't have one. They are cheap.

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Thank you very much. I'll invest in a small scale and get his feeding slowed down. I appreciate it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

I would want to switch your BP to rats ASAP as they can imprint on mice and not want to switch to rats especially as they get older.

In his case, a (F/T) weaned rat is fine. Every 7 days is okay, but I would recommend going to every 10-14 days soon. Once on small rats, which should be the biggest meal your BP should need, I would be feeding every 14 days.

The chart below is good for BP prey size up to medium rats (which even females don't need unless huge IMO). Smaller meals are easier to digest and BP's are very efficient, especially as older animals. I don't think it's great at time between meals. Adult animals should be eating every 2 weeks unless breeding.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...ding_chart.jpg

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Thank you! I will get him switched over to small rats next week.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by oliviaabrah

Thank you! I will get him switched over to small rats next week.

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Given what he’s been eating and his body type currently, I would go to weaned rats now and small rats when he’s leaner and heavier.

If you have trouble switching him to rats or have questions, just ask.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

Given what he’s been eating and his body type currently, I would go to weaned rats now and small rats when he’s leaner and heavier.

If you have trouble switching him to rats or have questions, just ask.

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Ah, ok. Sounds good. Thanks again.