Feeding size

I've been wondering what size rats to feed to my Ball-python, I fed him a "medium" sized rat. Some people say a medium sized rat is too big for any ball-python , hes 2 yrs old and about 3.5 - 4.5 ft. The second feeding around I gave him a small rat, and he only had to use like 1 coil, giving me the reason thinking its too small ? What do you think ?

It's hard to say what you consider a medium, and how many coils used is not an accurate judge of the prey size.

I usually feed small 'smalls'. (shortly after they've been weaned) I prefer the smaller weekly feedings because they feed more consistantly. It works for me and my snakes.

I also feed only small/smalls - no older than five weeks old at the very largest.

I too only feed small rats, anything bigger than that is just asking for trouble, but that is just my opinion. Small rats for you might be like medium rats for me or vice versa. Just make sure the prey item is no bigger around then the snake at its widest part.

Based on some info that I gathered from this forum....here is a rough guide for feeding your BP. This of course is if you subscribe to the small feeding method. This method is suppose to encourage weekly feedings without your BP going off feed.


0y4m 20-25g
1y4m 30-35g
2y4m+ 40-50g