How big of a mouse?

I have decided to get a bp and have all the stuff for the cage coming. I have found what seems like a good spot to buy frozen mice from. My only concern is what size. I plan on getting a ball that is no more than one year old how big of mice should I get?

I would get adult mice (about 20 grams). The majority of ball pythons can take adult mice by their third meal or so.

if its almost a year he can probably handle small rats no??

A year at most i would perfer a month or two old. As for the aduld mice i thought that they would be to large i thought that pinkies or fuzzies would be the size to go with.

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Originally Posted by BALLPYTHON

if its almost a year he can probably handle small rats no??

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maybe....he would not know til he got the bp ;) Since Strider said 'no more than one year' that kinda puts the age of the bp between hatchling and a one year old. That leave a lot of different bp size option :)



Strider, do you only have access to mice are is that just what you planned on feeding? Were you planning to buy in mass quantity or purchasing single rodents?

If you plan on buying single rodents to feed, I would just wait to see what size bp you end up getting. You will need to let you bp become accustomed to its new environment for a week so you have some time to get what is right for the specific animal.

If you are looking to purchase in mass quantity before you get you bp, then I would suggest getting adult mice or rat fuzzies(or maybe pups depending on size). I personally like feeding mice. That would be a safe purchase because even if your bp 'outgrows' a single adult mouse or rat fuzzy, you can always feed two adult mice or rat fuzzies. So there is not waste of money there. The rat or mice decision is up to the keeper(and sometimes the snake) so go with whatever makes you feel comfortable.

Hope that helps :)

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Originally Posted by Strider

A year at most i would perfer a month or two old. As for the aduld mice i thought that they would be to large i thought that pinkies or fuzzies would be the size to go with.

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A month or two old bp can handle adult mice no problem :) Sometimes they can take adult mice right out of the egg. You would be suprised what those little ones can handle. I am also talking about young adult mice (generally between 17-20grams), I am not talking about retired breeder adult mice (generally around 40 grams).

I was planning to buy a mass quanity from www.themousefactory.com . I want to start out on mice at first. Im just amazed that those little guys can take an adult mouse. I was planning on getting a package of about 50 fuzzies and then going from there.

If you were getting hatchling fresh out of the egg, I could see a 'possible' need for hoppers. But if you get a 1 month old, you should have no problem with adult mice.

EDIT: Does the place sell small amounts of hopper mice? If you get a bp less than a month old, you might want to go with hoppers but only for 2-3 weeks...then to adults.

Where do you plan on getting you bp from?

I have been looking around and there is place down in Flordia that would send it up here with a live guarantee. Other spots are more local reptile rescues and a few breeders. The last spot I will go to is petco.

Where are you from? Be sure to check out the person that you are buying the snake from on the BOI (Board of Inquiry) at www.faunaclassifieds.com . You have to register but it is a great way to check out who you plan to purchase from.

We got our bp about 5 weeks ago at around 2.5 to 3 months of age. It takes pre-killed young adult mice with absolutely no trouble at all.


~~Jo~~

I'm either going to order from http://www.diamondreptile.com/pricelist.htm#top
or http://www.pythons.com/hamper/avail.html . From what I have heard both have very good reputations.

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Originally Posted by Strider

I'm either going to order from http://www.diamondreptile.com/pricelist.htm#top
or http://www.pythons.com/hamper/avail.html . From what I have heard both have very good reputations.

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You realize that the 2005 ball pythons listed on those sites are CH imports and not captive bred and born baby balls right?

Just making sure in case you have a preference.

-adam

Yes I was aware of that. I also have no preference. I will contact them before I order and find out the eating habits and sheds if any.

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Originally Posted by Strider

The last spot I will go to is petco.

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I went to petco :( and the Bp's looked sick under feed and 4 where stuffed into a 6 gallon tank.... dont make me go on im all ready sad from there bad care for animal heath.:mad: :(