Feeding Opinions (1 pic DU W)

hey everyone!
was just wandering through some threads in here and came across a person talking about switching their ball from 2 mice to one rat/ wk. i know feeding multiple items isn't any different for the ball (still once a week) to a single larger item so i'm thinking of just feeding Aza mice from now on if possible. currently she's eating 2 medium rats every week or so and i was wondering how many mice (if even possible) she should take to remain healthy and happy. opinions? stick with 2 rats or switch to mice?

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../azanewpic.JPG

(as a reference point to size the aquarium she is in is a 40 br.)

thanks all

-billy

Why would you be switching to Mice? If she's eating rats now... its just easier (IMO) to continue feeding her Rats. It would take quite a few Mice to replace what she's getting with two rats.... and if you ever wanted to turn back to rats in the future... she may get "addicted" to the mice... They're imprint feeders, and mouse feeders just seem to want mice... and only mice.

Just my eight cents..

wow...two medium rats a week is a pretty big meal. I would think one would suffice (although she does look great! :) ). Anyway, unless you're having issues finding rats, I would stick with them.

Most ppl ask the "switching from mice to rats" question...I prefer Rats. mice are just so small.

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

mice are just so small.

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Yet plenty big enough for even a large ball python when fed weekly.

Most ball pythons in captivity are wayyyy overfed.

-adam

hehe maybe i should stay away from Petco. their adult mice would feed babies.

My currently 944 gram female eats two medium mice a week - and still gains on average 100 grams a month. Sometimes all they have are small mice available and she still gets just two.

wowee OK i stand corrected. Thanks for the info. i have learned today :)

My Bp is fed 1 small rat weekly (Just switched her over) Mice I think are just too small. And when I fed mice my snake just seemed to be too hungry just 2 days after feeding 1 mouse. I tried feeding 2 mice per feeding once... and my snake just ignored it (I feed f/t) and she went into her hide and fell asleep.... 1 small rat a week is fine with my snake. And when she gets older I think my snake will be bale to take either 2 small rats or a medium rat. I also think the reason why a lot of snake are over fed is because they syart to show signs of being hungry a few days after being fed. Maybe because in the wilf on average a Bp only moves 15ft a day (so I've been told, but still not too much) but when we hold our snake they tend to slither more. Thus using up calories more than they would if they were in the wild.

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Originally Posted by Sapphire7

My Bp is fed 1 small rat weekly (Just switched her over) Mice I think are just too small. And when I fed mice my snake just seemed to be too hungry just 2 days after feeding 1 mouse. I tried feeding 2 mice per feeding once... and my snake just ignored it (I feed f/t) and she went into her hide and fell asleep.... 1 small rat a week is fine with my snake. And when she gets older I think my snake will be bale to take either 2 small rats or a medium rat. I also think the reason why a lot of snake are over fed is because they syart to show signs of being hungry a few days after being fed. Maybe because in the wilf on average a Bp only moves 15ft a day (so I've been told, but still not too much) but when we hold our snake they tend to slither more. Thus using up calories more than they would if they were in the wild.

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I think that it is highly unlikely that a ball python eats 52 times a year in the wild ... catching prey when you have no arms or legs ain't easy ... I have about 20 adult ball pythons that eat mice and they are doing fine ... I also have about 100 adult females that are very large and eat not much more than a small rat per week.

Sooner or later, over feeding will lead to fasting.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

I think that it is highly unlikely that a ball python eats 52 times a year in the wild ... catching prey when you have no arms or legs ain't easy ... I have about 20 adult ball pythons that eat mice and they are doing fine ... I also have about 100 adult females that are very large and eat not much more than a small rat per week.

Sooner or later, over feeding will lead to fasting.

-adam

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I agree with you. And in the wild snakes cannot choose the size of food they'll get (either it be too small too big or just right) but I feed my snake once every 7 days untill my snake is and adult. Then once every 7-10day should suffice.:oops: And I have a question for you Adam, if I may. How much do you feed when you feed and when? Because it sounds like your trying to say, your not over feeding you snake. Atleast my snake is getting only 1 meal per feeding not 3 (like some people) every 7 days. Times that by 7 days a week and by a yr, and wow a lot more than 52 times a yr. lol thats 3 times as much food my snake will ever eat. Thats like 1 mouse every other day or so.... And I think if you snake is fed just a bit more (like a slightly bigger meal a week) and you play with it more and make it excersie more then its is using up enough calories to burn off that meal. In the wild I think they dont move around as much when they are with humans. :shrugs: :oops:

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Originally Posted by Sapphire7

Because it sounds like your trying to say, your not over feeding you snake.

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Actually, I never said anything like that. Although, I do closely monitor the texture, smell, and consistancy of each of my animals feces to help me decide how much to feed each individual animal.

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Originally Posted by Sapphire7

and you play with it more

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Exercise I do believe in, but I don't "play" with me snakes.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Exercise I do believe in, but I don't "play" with me snakes.

-adam

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Man, it's so tempting!!!!! :bolt:

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Man, it's so tempting!!!!! :bolt:

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:rofl:

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Actually, I never said anything like that. Although, I do closely monitor the texture, smell, and consistancy of each of my animals feces to help me decide how much to feed each individual animal.

-adam

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how can you learn how much to feed the animal based on the smell texture and consistency of the feces?


you sniff their poop? :) :puke:

i'm guessing if it's too lumpy or there are obvious remains in it then the prey was too large or you are feeding too often (not able to fully digest). if they're too small then the prey was too small and possibly the feces will be more "runny". just wild guesses. i like guessing. makes sense to me. sorry if this post had not much value.

it takes some time to get "in tune" with your snakes and their feeding habits and requirements. they are all different and eat and grow at different rates. i have a couple adult girls that eat 1 small rat a week and do fine. i also have several that take 3 rats a week no problem. i think some just grow faster and some have faster metabolisms. some also tend top go through growth spurts they will eat everything in sight for few months in a row and then slow down for a few. there are also alot of variables to ponder, temps in setups/rooms, exact weight of rodents fed, etc. at the stores around here a mouse can be just enough for a baby, or a jumbo enough for an adult. size matters:D



vaughn

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Actually, I never said anything like that. Although, I do closely monitor the texture, smell, and consistancy of each of my animals feces to help me decide how much to feed each individual animal.



Exercise I do believe in, but I don't "play" with me snakes.

-adam

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had to say it...........Adams the poop checker!!!!!!LOL!!!!;) (say it like sid!)


poor snakes dont get played with!! They only get exersied with!!;)