Feeding question...everyone chime in

I read in several places that a full grown adult bp only ever needs 1 sm rat once a week to be feed properly.

Anyone read this also?
Agree/disagree??

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Originally Posted by jotay

I read in several places that a full grown adult bp only ever needs 1 sm rat once a week to be feed properly.

Anyone read this also?
Agree/disagree??

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Disagree ... every snake is an individual and no one blanket statment can be made for all of them when it comes to feeding.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Disagree ... every snake is an individual and no one blanket statment can be made for all of them when it comes to feeding.

-adam

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So your belief and experience has shown you that two bp's of equal size and age may need two totally different feeding requirements to maintain a healty "lifestyle" ?
I was under that same impression also.
What the statement's I have read are trying to say is if you feed at least 1 sm rat once a week then you won't quote-unquote be starving them and they should survive just fine.

A full grown ball python will more than likely maintain their weight with the 1 small rat a week. but there are many other things to consider. males and females should be treated totally different when it comes to feeding. I have been feeding my big girls 2 rats a week getting them ready for breeding, they need to be fed right all year long, but a little extra before breeding translates into more good eggs, larger clutches and less stress on the females after they lay. these are just a few quick thoughts, you could write a book on feeding ball pythons. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ECLARK

A full grown ball python will more than likely maintain their weight with the 1 small rat a week. but there are many other things to consider. males and females should be treated totally different when it comes to feeding. I have been feeding my big girls 2 rats a week getting them ready for breeding, they need to be fed right all year long, but a little extra before breeding translates into more good eggs, larger clutches and less stress on the females after they lay. these are just a few quick thoughts, you could write a book on feeding ball pythons. :)

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See that is what I was always led to believe. Then I started to do a bit of research on feeding because my adult male eats 1 sm rat every week on Friday but he seems to be looking for more after downing the one. He recently just started eating rats again before that he would eat 3-4 mice every week so I was wondering if he was just conditioned to eating one and figuring another one was about to drop in.
I don't want to overfeed but then again I don't want to underfeed. Every year since I have had him he does go off feed in the winter for 4-5 mos. so I was thinking maybe he is like a bear and is loading up for the winter :) that is why he is trying to be a little piggy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jotay

What the statement's I have read are trying to say is if you feed at least 1 sm rat once a week then you won't quote-unquote be starving them and they should survive just fine.

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You could probably feed an adult ball python only 12 - 20 times a year and you won't be "starving them" ... cold blooded animals do not need anywhere near the amount of food that most people believe they do.

-adam

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ECLARK

but a little extra before breeding translates into more good eggs, larger clutches and less stress on the females after they lay.

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Or, it could translate into slugs. ;)

-adam

Seems to be looking for more....


This is my wife thinks we need a lock on the fridge :) I'm an opportunistic feeder. If I get bored/watching TV I like to munch even when I don't need more.... I never know when my wife will lock the fridge, so I need to build up my stores just in case...


Joking aside, if you are feeding one a week to an adult male and he is maintaining weight, it seems like a good schedule.

Most of my ball pythons are just as you described... always looking for more... I feed my females 2 smalls and they are still looking for more...

As long as they are growing (subadults) or maintaining/rebuilding weight after laying, then I wouldn't worry too much .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ECLARK

A full grown ball python will more than likely maintain their weight with the 1 small rat a week. but there are many other things to consider. males and females should be treated totally different when it comes to feeding. I have been feeding my big girls 2 rats a week getting them ready for breeding, they need to be fed right all year long, but a little extra before breeding translates into more good eggs, larger clutches and less stress on the females after they lay. these are just a few quick thoughts, you could write a book on feeding ball pythons. :)

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Wouldn't it be better to just give them a slightly larger rat each week the entire year after laying/before breeding instead of giving them a burst at the end?

Just curious.

Yes, slugs are always a possibility, but a heavy female will be more likely to recover faster than a thin one.:)