new here.. got a couple questions

I work for the Humane Society and we got a BP in last saturday and I'm adopting it since I've always wanted one. Is there anyway to tell how old BP's are? How many mice should i feed to him every week? I thawed out a frozen mouse monday night and he seemed to enjoy it but I'm not sure if one is enough for him. He's about 3 feet long. This is going to be my first BP and I'm very excited about finally owning one. I'm looking forward to learning more about them and getting to know everyone here as well.

welcome to the boards!

You can only estimate age by size. At 3' a female would be around a year to a year and a half, a male could be two years or even more, since some males stop growing at 3'. (someone correct me if I'm wrong)

One mouse is not much for a 3' snake. General rule is feed one prey item that is as big around as the snake's belly is at it's widest point.

Okay... first of all, welcome! You'll find that there is a wealth of information here just waiting to be found :)


Secondly, I don't think there's any specific way to find out how old a BP is. If it's three feet it's more than likely an adult with not a lot more growing in store.

Third, if you can get him to take them, feed rats. If you can't get him to take rats, feed him whatever he'll take. It's awesome that he's already on f/t. That makes your job a little easier. You'll find, however, that sometimes they'll change eating habits, go off f/t to live or vise versa. BPs are extremely picky eaters... some more than others. I have a BP that took f/t for the first four weeks I had her, and now will only take live. Go figure. Also, feed him a rat that is as big around as he is at his widest point. I imagine your kid should be able to take small rats, if not medium ones. Depending on where you get your feeders, take a look at their size before you purchase. One appropriately sized prey item is much better than two or three smaller ones. (However, if that's all you have for now, and he still looks hungry, give him another). Keep him on a 7-10 feeding schedule.

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. Hope this helps!

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Originally Posted by StarLight3604

I work for the Humane Society and we got a BP in last saturday and I'm adopting it since I've always wanted one. Is there anyway to tell how old BP's are? How many mice should i feed to him every week? I thawed out a frozen mouse monday night and he seemed to enjoy it but I'm not sure if one is enough for him. He's about 3 feet long. This is going to be my first BP and I'm very excited about finally owning one. I'm looking forward to learning more about them and getting to know everyone here as well.

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Congrats! ... 1 mouse a week is PLENTY of food for a male ball python. If you start pushing larger food items on him he'll be much more prone to fast. I've got several adult males that eat 1 mouse a week and they are all in perfect condition.

-adam

Wow ... just saw that you're in Maryland! ... Me too ... I live in Laurel and my "shop" where I keep all of my ball pythons is in Catonsville!

Welcome to the site! :D

-adam

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Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

Third, if you can get him to take them, feed rats.......BPs are extremely picky eaters...

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Feeding rats or mice is completely up to the keeper. Both food items provide the proper nutrition for ball pythons. The choice of what rodent to feed should be based on the availability of the rodents, ease of obtain the rodents, and the ball pythons preference. Ball pythons can be picky eaters for several reasons, but most reasons can be corrected with changes in husbandry. There are several reasons that can cause a bp to go 'off feed' with two of the most common being feeding too large of food items and improper temperatures in the enclosure.

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Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

One appropriately sized prey item is much better than two or three smaller ones.

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I have never seen proof of this statement. Actually, many keepers and breeders will feed smaller meals. Many people have shown that feeding smaller meals can actually cause your ball pythons to eat much more consistantly.

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Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

One appropriately sized prey item is much better than two or three smaller ones.

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Oh, I missed this one??? .... How is it "much better"? Is this your opinion, something that you've heard second hand, or do you have real data to back up your statement?

How would you even begin to measure how "much" better one food item would be compared to multiples?

-adam

Geez, you guys waste no time to pick each other apart.

Just feed your snake whatever it'll eat, and be happy.

Ignore the bickering, it's completely normal. :P

thanks for the replies.. I also forgot to ask about how I should keep the temps in the tank and humidity.. i do not plan on breeding him if that helps any.. at the moment i was given a 20 gallon tank with a heat rock, and some lights by someone i work with who had a BP but lost it.. I will be getting rid of the heat rock and replacing it with a undertank heater and i am planning on buying clips for the top so Groper (my BP) can't cat out.. what size tank is recommended for a 3 foot BP? I was thinking of getting him a 30 - 40 gallon tank but in the meantime the 20 gallon will do untill i get paid next week.

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Geez, you guys waste no time to pick each other apart.

Just feed your snake whatever it'll eat, and be happy.

Ignore the bickering, it's completely normal. :P

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You know me Shelby, I'm like the caped crusader of debunking ball python myths! ... Think I could get a "myth busters" like show on Animal Planet?? Although it would have to be only about ball pythons. :P

-adam

I would suggest picking up an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer/hygrometer from walmart...usually costs $12-$15. They work great and will give you all the temp and humidty info you need.

The warm side of the enclosure should be 92-94, cool side 82-84, and humidity around 50-60%

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

You know me Shelby, I'm like the caped crusader of debunking ball python myths! ... Think I could get a "myth busters" like show on Animal Planet?? Although it would have to be only about ball pythons. :P

-adam

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Why not type up a 'Common Ball Python Myths' article......I am sure if it would be an awesome addition to the journal section on your site.....and it would give me a cool place to link to instead of trying to explain stuff :)

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

Why not type up a 'Common Ball Python Myths' article......I am sure if it would be an awesome addition to the journal section on your site.....and it would give me a cool place to link to instead of trying to explain stuff :)

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That is a wonderful idea, let's start with vitamins. LOL

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Originally Posted by StarLight3604

thanks for the replies.. I also forgot to ask about how I should keep the temps in the tank and humidity.. i do not plan on breeding him if that helps any.. at the moment i was given a 20 gallon tank with a heat rock, and some lights by someone i work with who had a BP but lost it.. I will be getting rid of the heat rock and replacing it with a undertank heater and i am planning on buying clips for the top so Groper (my BP) can't cat out.. what size tank is recommended for a 3 foot BP? I was thinking of getting him a 30 - 40 gallon tank but in the meantime the 20 gallon will do untill i get paid next week.

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A 40 gallon "breeder" tank will be fine for your snakes entire life. Ditch the hot rock ASAP, they are a great source for thermal burns. 82-84 on one side 92-94 on the other measured with a digital thermometer. Small tight hide boxes on each side of the cage and a small water bowl and you'll be set.

-adam

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

Why not type up a 'Common Ball Python Myths' article......I am sure if it would be an awesome addition to the journal section on your site.....and it would give me a cool place to link to instead of trying to explain stuff :)

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That's a great idea ... time is my biggest problem! :(

I'll get there. ;)

-adam

It's something I've read on the other forum I visit, plus something I have an opinion about. Doesn't mean I don't do it... I agree about the availability. If all that's available is weaned rats, the snake's gotta eat.

?devil's advocate/on

I could see that solely from the angle of it simply being easier to feed a single prey item than trying to feed multiple/consecutive prey items. Simply logistical - what if it won't take the second feed?

/Off


(EDIT - arguably though that may be just "easier" and not "much better")

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Geez, you guys waste no time to pick each other apart.

Just feed your snake whatever it'll eat, and be happy.

Ignore the bickering, it's completely normal. :P

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LOL, he espescially like to tare me up!:D its good though i need it:rolleyes: Adam know a lot he could really help you. and of course welcome to the forums!

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Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

It's something I've read on the other forum I visit, plus something I have an opinion about. Doesn't mean I don't do it... I agree about the availability. If all that's available is weaned rats, the snake's gotta eat.

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I'd still like to see the evidence that it's "much better"? From my experience, I just don't see how anyone could say that.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Smulkin

?devil's advocate/on

I could see that solely from the angle of it simply being easier to feed a single prey item than trying to feed multiple/consecutive prey items. Simply logistical - what if it won't take the second feed?

/Off


(EDIT - arguably though that may be just "easier" and not "much better")

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Easier I could understand ... "much better" boggles my mind? .... FWIW, I have 1 ball python out of 225-ish (that's a guess) right now that won't take multiple meals and even though she is 1700 grams she still only gets a single 40-50 gram rat per week .... and guess what? She's perfect in every way. :P

-adam

I'm sorry. I made a mistake. I withdraw my answer and yield to the experts.

ha ha.....225-ish......you dont even know how many bps you have???

ha...I would have lost count at around 50 so don't feel bad ;)

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Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

I'm sorry. I made a mistake. I withdraw my answer and yield to the experts.

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I really don't mean to be nit picky, but I feel that with all of the people that read these posts and are trying to learn, that the accuracy of the information provided is paramount.

I like to think of it like we are all working together to come up with the best possible answer(s) for the poster. :D

-adam

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

ha ha.....225-ish......you dont even know how many bps you have???

ha...I would have lost count at around 50 so don't feel bad ;)

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It's sad, but off the top of my head I have no idea (the real number is on the computer somewhere :P ) .... between all of the babies and the new snakes that I've picked up lately I don't have a clue!! ... I'm picking up 5 more adults and a couple more babies this weekend. It's getting crazy and I'm lovin it! :D

-adam

Welcome to the forum and I think it's wonderful you've adopted this snake!

If you missed it in the posts here, please do as Adam suggested and ditch that heat rock. You can't control how much heat comes off of it, they are notorious for spiking heat or being unrealiable and they can cause serious thermal burns on your snakes belly. They just really aren't worth the risk. There's other options for heating....under tank heaters, flexwatt, human heating pads (not great but still better than a heat rock as far as I'm concerned), lights, etc.

We are fostering a fantastic male 5.5 foot columbian boa that was exposed to a large heat rock and paid the price with a very sore belly. Thank goodness the heat rock was tossed before lasting damage was done.

Also the best advice we got here as new owners was to set up the snake in a quiet area of your home then leave it completely alone for a solid week other than to change water and remove any feces/urates. This lets the snake settle in and feel safe and helps when it comes to offering it that first feeding from you.

Best of luck. I bet you'll just love this snake!


~~Jo~~

I just purchased my first accurite at Walmart 4 days ago it was $11.88

good job getting rid of the heat rock. the 30 gallon should be fine, but a 40 wouldnt hurt either, as long you have at least 2 hides (one on each side, so he feels secure in a bigger tank). you wont need the lights. good luck!

Ok... I'm going to ATTEMPT to give my opinion here... and it's only that... Someone PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong...

Giving two or more smaller prey items would help "bulk-up" a snake more quickly, would it not? I only wonder this, because I'm trying to convert Jake to rats, he's been on mice for the first four to five feedings. After purchasing a digital gram scale to weigh him, I also started weighing the mice/rats prior to feeding. Two adult mice are around 70 grams. One small rat that I just fed this week was only 58 grams. So, the smaller the prey item, the easier it is to get down, but maybe the more weight you can put on 'em? (this is completely a hypothosis)