Feeding the baby

[rodspython]

Hi all I just got a ball python after much research on them and I was told to feed him pinky mice but he seems to eat them very quickly and they seem too small for him. He's almost 2 feet long when would you guys recommend I feed him something larger? I know not to give him live food because I wouldn't want a mouse to injure him as he's never been in the wild. Any help for a new ball python owner would be much appreciated! Thanks:p
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[Kyle1989]

I feed mine a prey item a little smaller then the biggest part of it's body.

[rodspython]

Its almost like he gulps it down and stares at me like " that's all?" Lol

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[el8ch]

Congrats on the new BP... and welcome to the site.

The general rule is to feed 10%-15% of your snakes body weight or a prey item that is equal or slightly larger than the thickest part of your snake. Grab a cheap digital scale from Walmart and the rest is history.

Make sure you read the Caresheet. Lots of very helpful information and people here at BP.net!!

[el8ch]

Hi all I just got a ball python after much research on them and I was told to feed him pinky mice but he seems to eat them very quickly and they seem too small for him.

Pinky anything is too small for Ball Pythons. I would stay away from mice also as your ball python will outgrow them quickly. Start on rats and you will never have to feed them anything else.

[rodspython]

Awesome ill be getting a scale as soon as I can. I'm just lettting him get used to his new home right now. Been four days. Pretty exciting!

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[el8ch]

Awesome ill be getting a scale as soon as I can. I'm just lettting him get used to his new home right now. Been four days. Pretty exciting!

Sounds good. Anytime I get a new addition I always let my new snake settle in for about a week. During this time you want to keep the handling to a minimum to avoid stressing the snake out. After your snake has settled in and it has had 2 or 3 meals start handling more, just remember to give you little fella about 24hrs of alone time after feeding so he can digest properly.

[rodspython]

gotcha!

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[DooLittle]

I usually give thek a week to settle in. Then after a few consecutive feedings start to handle. As far as food, yes pinkie mice too small. You can weigh a prey item that is 10-15% of snakes weight. Or eyeball, and it should be about as wide as your snakes widest part. Also, I try and get mine on rats. Welcome to the addiction we call ball python keeping!

[rodspython]

Got him some Hopper mice and he gulped them down quick! Might move to bigger, they were bigger than pinkies but not as wide as the widest part of his body. very nice and active, hissed at me when I bothered him to feed, but thanked me after!

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