Would gerbils make a suitable diet for my ball python?

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

Sure, as long as you can provide a sustainable supply for the snake. Ball pythons are notoriously picky eaters, and would possibly become fixated on gerbils as a prey source. If you are going to do it, just make sure you can provide gerbils for the rest of the animals life if necessary.

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If they can reproduce as quickly as the guy in the store said then it shouldn't be a problem. I'm still learning about Gerbils, I'm from California and I'm pretty sure they're illegal to own there.. I'd never really seen them before I moved here.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

As a one-off thing it's no big deal BUT if you ever have to rehome your ball python, and remember that they can live for decades, it will be difficult to find a keeper willing to take it if all it will eat is gerbils.

I have a few ball pythons willing to take pinky or fuzzy rabbits, but I am careful to make sure that they continue to take rats, as I could just imagine trying to rehome one where my ad states "eating well on f/t rabbit fuzzies" and having people think what-the-fruitbat!

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I cant imagine rehoming my snakey! But I suppose in real life things happens and I should keep that in mind. Thanks! I'll just have to rehome the gerbils with him, like that's any better!

If the snake readily eats why is it not able to eat what most Balls near 4ft can? My Ball is not even 4ft but takes medium rats every two weeks and they usually don't even make a bulge.

I doubt the store is going to continue to allow them to reproduce and sell them to you as feeders.

I have a chest freezer full of all sizes of rats. Its the easiest way to go.

If you had trouble breeding rats I imagine you'd have just as much trouble breeding gerbils. As a one time thing there's no harm in it but it'd really be a pain if your BP got fixated and decided to only eat gerbils.

They are more aggressive then your average feeders, have longer teeth, are more expensive and are like crack for BP, hopefully you will have a steady supply, and will never have to re-home your BP, now that you know all that it's YOUR choice.

Also check if they are legal where you live responsible pet ownership is important even when it comes to feeders.

Gerbils are just as prolific breeders as rats and mice. Nutritional content is fine. If that's what you need to feed them it's ok, just be prepared to manage gerbil populations.