Feeding - frequency vs size

[rimelame]

Hello,

MY female is about 3000g, she consumes 'large' rats.

How often should she eat? Is every 10 days too often? I have been doing some reading, and some sites say that I should be feeding every 14 days beause of the size. She never rejects her food though... I used to feed her mediums, but she always seemed to be hungry. The first time I fed her a large rat I thought 'there is no way she'll swallow this".... 5 minutes later it was GONE and she was laying over the heat.

opinions?

[mykee]

There really is no right or wrong answer as long as you use some common sense.
I feed all my adults (1500g and up) 130-150g rats once every 7 days. I used to try to stuff the largest food item I could find into their gaping maws, but after monitoring there eating (and non-eating) routines for a few years, I realized that a smaller food item once weekly worked out best for me.
They all eat consistently without taking 'time off' for the most part, and they are not lying there half-dead with a huge bump expelling every ounce of energy they have to digest that monster meal.
May not work for you, everyone feeds differently.
Gotta figure out what works for you.

[rimelame]

Well how do I know if it's 'working for me'? I mean, I don't wanna over feed.

Can I assume that if she's eating a large every 10 days, that it's ok? If it's too much, she'll refuse?

I've asked her, "are you full", but she doesn't answer me.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Weigh her. If she is gaining weight too fast, then cut her back to 14 days. If you aren't breeding her, I would go with 14 days. If you are, then go with 10 days, and monitor weight.

If you can see skin between her scales, she is overweight--put her on small rats for a while, 14 days, until she's back to normal, then switch back to the large rats.
Not all ball pythons are alike, you will have to use weight and your eyes to determine when you have a correct feeding schedule worked out.

[rimelame]

As a general rule, how long should they be coiled over the heat digesting... 2 days, 3 days, more?

[Brstin2flames]

I've been told on here that it takes 24-48 hours for them to digest, so 1-2 days I'd say.

[mykee]

"Well how do I know if it's 'working for me'? I mean, I don't wanna over feed."

Again, this is where the common sense come in.

[bullies&balls]

it will always take less energy and time for a larger snake to digest a smaller meal. The energy spent in just consuming a larger item is massive and the time it akes to digest is also increased. If you not breeding I would take the "middle of the road" stance. Medium size prey every 10 days would work will.