Feeding Question

I picked up a 7 month old ball python about 10 days ago, and the owners had only been feeding him small pinkies once a week. Now from what I've read on here that seems a bit small for a growing baby. I offered him a pinkie after he had been left alone for 5 days, and he took it without any problems. His neck is only about as big around as a pencil, but the widest part of his body is just slightly smaller than a small mouse. Would it be alright to make the jump to small mice when it's feeding time, or should I try keep him on pinkies only offered more frequently?

I'd give him a hopper at first, maybe a few times. Then bump him up to adult mice.

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Originally Posted by Elise.m

I'd give him a hopper at first, maybe a few times. Then bump him up to adult mice.

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Ditto.

definitely bump him up to something bigger. i go by the 10-15% rule and its working out good.

The local store doesn't carry anything called a hopper, so I picked some of these up:

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...s/Mouse003.jpg

And this isn't the best picture, but hopefully it can help in some way:

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...s/Mouse002.jpg

What you have there is perfect.

Its ok for there to be a noticeable bulge after the eat. After a few days the bulge should dissipate. When you can't see the bulge after the snake just ate, it might be a good idea to up the prey size. Just my two cents..

Thanks a lot guys. Tomorrow is feeding day, and hopefully he'll not hesitate with a larger meal.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dabonus

Thanks a lot guys. Tomorrow is feeding day, and hopefully he'll not hesitate with a larger meal.

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Trust me if he/she is as old as you say then there should be no problem at all. My female was eating small rats by 7 months lol

He had no problem going for the bigger prey, but I accidentally dropped it while I was holding it in front of him and he kinda struck it at a weird angle. Right now he is trying to swallow it tail first with little luck. Hopefully he can figure out a way to get it all down.

Problem solved! He gave up on the tail first method after a while. After just laying on top of it for a bit he figured it was best to go head first, and he's safely back in his hide how.

Thanks again for all the help.

They can be so silly! I especially love when they try to eat the rodent sideways.

I agree with everyone else who said to move him up in size. Pinkies are too small for even newly hatched BPs. They can easily swallow prey that looks like it will never fit down their skinny neck, because their necks are extremely stretchy for just that purpose.