What and how often do you feed your adult BP?

[vangarret2000]

I was wondering how much people feed their adult bp's. I know it will vary depending on certain factors, type/size of food, how often fed, just a pet or bulking up for breeding, etc. So mention any details you think are important. Thanks

[A.VinczeBPs]

Every 7 days, size depends on females. But, the highest we go is medium rats, smaller adults may be on a size between small and medium. Adult males only get smalls.

If breeding, a male may get a small every 5 days, to pack on weight before they go completely off, but normally they do not need this at all, it's only the smaller ones.
Females if they're going to breed, and they are hitting the food hard (REALLY hungry), they get smaller meals more often (5 days, instead of mediums they get smalls). So that they gain more weight that they want, but on a more gradual scale, I don't like them packing on huge amounts, or power-feeding.

[gdlyorchi]

mine is a regular ball python about 3-4 years old, male and eats about every 2 weeks and I feed him medium rats, my snake is peaky and it only eats white rats lol

[Kryptonian]

For me it varies. Males that are full grown only every 2 weeks. I find that more often then that and they are more likely to fast. This year all my males even breeders are feeding for me. Females that are full grown and not breeding same thing. Breeder girls once a week.

[muddoc]

Adult females get offered a small rat every 7 days. Adult males (i.e. anyone over 18 months old) get offered a small rat every 21 days. I like to keep my males on the smaller side (generally between 750 and 950 grams).

[chapskis1]

Adult females get offered a small rat every 7 days. Adult males (i.e. anyone over 18 months old) get offered a small rat every 21 days. I like to keep my males on the smaller side (generally between 750 and 950 grams).

Interesting Tim. What is the reasoning behind wanting to keep the males small and only feeding once every three weeks? Do you bump up the feeding frequency when it is getting close to breeding season?

I know only feeding my males every three weeks would definitely make the rats in my freezer last longer!

BTW -- my boy that I bought from you 2 years ago is sitting at 1400g!!!

[muddoc]

Interesting Tim. What is the reasoning behind wanting to keep the males small and only feeding once every three weeks? Do you bump up the feeding frequency when it is getting close to breeding season?

I know only feeding my males every three weeks would definitely make the rats in my freezer last longer!

BTW -- my boy that I bought from you 2 years ago is sitting at 1400g!!!

I find that they breed better if they sit at about 1000 grams, or slightly lower. That is just what works for me. Also, as others have pointed out, this feeding schedule helps my males eat more consistently. When I used to offer every 7 days, I had some males that only ate thre to five times per year. They seem to eat a bit better and breed a bit better for me on this schedule.

p.s. It sounds like your boy likes his food, and is doing great. Congrats.

[SlitherinSisters]

My females get fed every 5-7 days depending on their size. After laying eggs they are on a 5 day schedule until they bulk up again. As for my males, I feed them every 2 weeks. With that as a feeding schedule they haven't quit feeding for me this breeding season.

[blushingball419]

My bp is an 08 female and is "just a pet" at the moment. Right now she's in the middle of her fast, but normally she gets a small rat every 7 days.