Time Between Feedings and another question?

[BP-NJ]

We feed our little guys every 4 days. Once they got up to 500 grams, we went to every 7 days. We have 2 yearlings that are both over 800 grams--both have become less than regular with their eating lately. I am just wondering what the rule of thumb for going to 10 day intervals? My female was off feed for over a month but seemed very interested whenever we were feeding our little ones their mice. Last week I offered her a mouse that was rejected by a shedding baby and she startled me she struck so fast! (Wasn't expecting it.. she'd been turning her nose up to the rats I have offered...) I gave in and fed her 2 large mice today and she ate them with gusto. The yearling male, however, rejected his rat for the 2nd time in 7 days. Should I wait 10 days (instead of 7) to try again?

Also, is it a mistake to let my girl go back to mice? I am thinking that after I wait the 10 day interval, I'll offer her a rat again. It just seemed to me it was better to have her feeding than not, no matter what it was. She had lost 28 grams during her fast..

Oh, and we feed FT.

Thanks so much for any info!

[JLC]

There is no hard-and-fast rule about when/how to feed ball pythons. If they're slowing down, go to every ten days and see if that keeps them more consistent. And/or try smaller meals. And it doesn't hurt them to eat mice. If they will eat mice, then feed 'em mice. Females are notorious for going off food as they approach the 1000g mark. I think they do it just to taunt everyone who wishes they'd reach breeding size faster.

[BP-NJ]

Females are notorious for going off food as they approach the 1000g mark. I think they do it just to taunt everyone who wishes they'd reach breeding size faster.

LOL! I can believe that!

Thanks so much for the response.