Feeding Size: I doubt the rule

:snake:I have doubts about the common belived rule that you should feed your snake pray that is as wide around as they are. I have had my BP for a year and a half now and he is basically full grown and has alot of girth to him. However, he still has a very thin neck, like as wide as my finger. I just fed him a rat that was as wide around as he is (basically adult size) and I was fearful that his neck would rupture. I don't want to feed him like that again and think smaller would be much better. Plus hes been off feed for a month and a half, the last meal was the same size. So am I being paranoid? Am I right? What size should I be feeding an adult (pictures please!)

To tell you the truth, you are being paranoid. :P Pythons and snakes in general, have evolved to consume huge prey. Many of them can consume prey much larger than you think they would be able to. Trust me, his neck wont rupture. Your ball python is designed to consume that size prey.

I still worry, I hate seeing his neck stretched out to the point where i see the skin underneath real bad and his patter looks faded because if it.

I know what you mean.

The first time I offered the proper size rat to my little ones, I was sure they were going to split wide open!

Not only did they not do that, a few wanted to know where the rest of the food was, since they were used to taking multiple smaller items.

It's still worrisome to see how they stretch like they do, but I've been doing this for several weeks now, and the only one affected by it is me. lol

Gale

I believe most people don't use that method anymore ( I could be wrong), but rather just feeds 10-15% of the snakes body weight.

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Originally Posted by TimmyG

I still worry, I hate seeing his neck stretched out to the point where i see the skin underneath real bad and his patter looks faded because if it.

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But that's completely normal - and what they are perfectly designed to do.

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Originally Posted by TimmyG

:snake:I have doubts about the common belived rule that you should feed your snake pray that is as wide around as they are. I have had my BP for a year and a half now and he is basically full grown and has alot of girth to him. However, he still has a very thin neck, like as wide as my finger. I just fed him a rat that was as wide around as he is (basically adult size) and I was fearful that his neck would rupture. I don't want to feed him like that again and think smaller would be much better. Plus hes been off feed for a month and a half, the last meal was the same size. So am I being paranoid? Am I right? What size should I be feeding an adult (pictures please!)

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What do you mean by "adult size"? Do you mean med., large, or jumbo rat?

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Originally Posted by Minja777

I believe most people don't use that method anymore ( I could be wrong), but rather just feeds 10-15% of the snakes body weight.

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The girth method has worked great for me for quite a few years. About the largest I feed my adult BP's is a good size medium rat.

Oh I don't doubt that it works , just from what I've seen from the forums is 10-15% . :)

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Originally Posted by iCandiBallPythons

The girth method has worked great for me for quite a few years. About the largest I feed my adult BP's is a good size medium rat.

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I think both the girth method and the 10-15% method work for young snakes that are still growing quickly. I believe for adult snakes, especially those that aren't using up energy breeding, you need to cut back on the feedings, either in size (in relation to the snake) or in frequency.

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Originally Posted by TimmyG

I still worry, I hate seeing his neck stretched out to the point where i see the skin underneath real bad and his patter looks faded because if it.

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You may hate to see it but that is what is supposed to happen. There skin is very flexible and it is meant to stretch to accommodate large prey items.

Don't worry about it, feed one appropriately sized prey item.

Your snake will be fine.Just think in the wild they have no way to "measure" the prey items size to "fit" them :P

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Originally Posted by Minja777

Oh I don't doubt that it works , just from what I've seen from the forums is 10-15% . :)

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My hatchlings and juvies all get prey large enough to leave a small swelling, so a little bit bigger than their girth, but not by much.

Adults all get medium rats. I would have to actually weigh the snake and the rat to tell you if that's 10-15% of their weight - I don't go by weight any longer, I go by visible size with my crew. I know what they can and will take size wise and offer appropriately sized meals that will keep them feeding on a weekly basis with an occassional one week refusal.

Here is a video or two that should ease your mind when it comes to your ball python looking like its gonna rip apart. Just make sure its about the same size prey as the girth of your snake. I was shocked when I saw this

YouTube - Snake Regurgitates Hippo

YouTube - Snake Regurgitates Antelope

I'm sure your ball python wont spilt open lol

I've always wondered how snakes can eat an antelope with pointy antlers and all, but they do it. And they do it over and over again without cutting themselves open.
They are remarkable creatures. Also, ball pythons are picky enough that if it was hurting them, I am sure they would have no problem spitting it out.