bp 26' long, how big of a rat to feed?

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Personally, I don't fell that the fat content of mice vs. rats is relevant when raising ball pythons.

-adam

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Really? I just keep reading that over and over (rats having more fat) at various places.

Is there any "bottom line" when it comes to mice vs. rats thing?

its not the lenght of ur bp thats important when feedin, u shuld only feed ur bp a rat or mouse that does not exceed the largest part of ur bp,s body. am not 2 sure bout how much fat is in a rat or mouse but they r very sililar so i wouldnt worie bout that 2 much

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Really? I just keep reading that over and over (rats having more fat) at various places.

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Sure there is a study that says rats at certain sizes have more fat or protein or blah than mice at different sizes, but without a corresponding study showing what a ball python of a given age/size "NEEDS" in it's diet the point is moot. Numbers don't mean a thing without an equation to apply them to.

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Is there any "bottom line" when it comes to mice vs. rats thing?

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No there is not. Feed your snake what it will eat and what is most convenient for you.

-adam

When feeding multiple mice, do you just keep offering until they've had enough? Is there a maximum number you should offer? Lily seems to like mice more. She will take a rat (which is easier for me) but she seems to like mice more so I am most likely going to continue to offer them. Just wasn't sure how many mice are enough or too much.

not to sound rude tigerlily, but your question has already been answered, in this thread. But in case you can't find it, according to Adam, there is no need to feed more than 2 mice, at any age. I personally find that odd, but you can't argue with someone, with his extensive experience.

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Originally Posted by smellati

I personally find that odd, but you can't argue with someone, with his extensive experience.

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Why do you find it odd?

Ball pythons are cold blooded and don't require the massive caloric intake that warm blooded animals need to generate their own body heat. Their extremely slow metabolisms are designed to make use of small amounts of calories in the most efficient way possible. Coupled with the fact that they are predators without arms and legs and have evolved to deal with the reality that catching prey is basically a hit or miss proposition (quite literally), I don't think it's too hard to grasp the logic behind realizing that ball pythons just don't need a whole lot of food to thrive.

Again, in the wild these animals eat maybe a dozen times a year if that …. Being hand fed a couple of mice every 7 days is plenty of food for an adult male. Most ball pythons in captivity are way overfed as it is.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Again, in the wild these animals eat maybe a dozen times a year if that …. Being hand fed a couple of mice every 7 days is plenty of food for an adult male. Most ball pythons in captivity are way overfed as it is.

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I agree, however I think he said that it was odd because a BP is more than capable of handling a larger meal. I've read a few times about how it's better to feed more often with smaller meals, but haven't seen any data to back it up. It seems like in the wild they would probably find different size meals at different intervals, so do you think there is anything wrong with feeding a large rat once every 2 weeks instead of a small rat or 2 mice every week?

Ok maybe I should clarify since the question was answered for adult males and I was curious about females. (seeing as how I don't have a male bp). I remember from another thread that Adam said (and I'm kinda fuzzy on memory) he fed upwards to 3-5 mice to some of his adult females. This is where my question comes from.

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Originally Posted by xdeus

I agree, however I think he said that it was odd because a BP is more than capable of handling a larger meal.

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Just because a ball python is "capable" of eating large meals, doesn't mean that that is what's best. I'm capable of eating probably about 2 gallons of ice cream at a sitting, but I try and limit myself so that I can get my a$$ out of the chair when I'm done ;)

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Originally Posted by xdeus

I've read a few times about how it's better to feed more often with smaller meals, but haven't seen any data to back it up.

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In my experience, ball pythons do better overall eating much smaller meals than you would think is likely. I have a nice big collection of full bodied animals that eat every week, they are data enough for me. Anytime you’d like to drop by for a feeding day, you’re certainly welcome to see for yourself! :D

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Originally Posted by xdeus

It seems like in the wild they would probably find different size meals at different intervals,

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Well to that I would say number one, that the ”wild” and captivity are two completely different things … and number two, having no arms and legs, ball python must be able to feed opportunistically in the wild (taking any meal they can when they can get it) … in captivity, they have the luxury of food being made available to them at a far more regular basis than any wild snake would ever get so there is no need for them to “bulk up” when the “getting is good” in fear of not being able to find food later. Instead, they can eat on a more regular schedule and get the nutrients and calories they need from smaller food items.

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Originally Posted by xdeus

so do you think there is anything wrong with feeding a large rat once every 2 weeks instead of a small rat or 2 mice every week?

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Of course there is nothing wrong with it, it’s just something that from experience I don’t choose to do. I know that with my snakes, I prefer consistent regular feeding over large meals that may be “stored up” and cause fasting because the snake is “full”. (Over the years I have fed both ways, and for me, smaller meals work much much better).

All that said, every keeper and snake is different and each person should certainly figure out what works best in their collection and do that! :D

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

All that said, every keeper and snake is different and each person should certainly figure out what works best in their collection and do that! :D

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Well, being that most of us peons probably have a tad less experience than you, we tend to listen to your advice pretty closely. Besides, it does make sense although many weekend warrior breeders seem to come from the camp where they want their females to grow as big and fat as possible in order to start breeding.

On a similar note, how much do you know about snake physiology? Specifically, their muscle tissue. I'm amazed at how strong snakes are for their size and how little they do to become that strong. I suppose I wouldn't be that surprised if they were from the wild and were constantly on the move, avoiding predators, and looking for food and mates. But in captivity they are pretty much couch potatoes and if you don't overfeed them (and even if you do) they still seem to maintain strong muscle tissue. Just another meaningless thought going throug my head... :hmm: