Bigger feeder?

[Bluebell_1990]

Hi so I’ve had this boy 2 year old male hades 3 weeks now I bought him from a pet shop hes on large mice one per week he’s 511g I feel like the feeder is too small for him he stays in feeding mode all night after being fed I would love to get him on rats so bigger feeders are possible I have another bp who is bigger body wise and is on large weaner rats any tips on transferring please?


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[Bluebell_1990]

Pic of my other bp for reference


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[Bogertophis]

....I feel like the feeder is too small for him he stays in feeding mode all night after being fed....

That's normal & that's what most snakes do- they stay in "feed mode" for a while after eating (for hours or a day+). Doesn't mean their prey was too small- it's just like when we humans eat rather fast & keep going for dessert or seconds before we realize we over-ate. It takes a while for the stomach (human or reptile) to tell the brain that's quite enough.

If you give in to the notion that it's not enough food, your snake may end up overweight & unhealthy, & the same goes for us. It's your snake & you're in charge of his health & longevity.

Also, large mice are more fatty (less healthy) for snakes (they're retired breeders) so a better choice is a small rat, & nothing larger than that for adult male BPs. Unless you enjoy wasting food when they start fasting? Male BPs fed larger than small rats are more likely to go on long fasts, because at some point even their body knows when it's too much food. (Female BPs grow larger for breeding & can take up to medium rats, but the males stay smaller.)

Were you asking for how to change over from mice to rats? He may take it right off- try & see. Otherwise, feed him a SMALL mouse as an appetizer, & follow it right away with a very small rat, so he learns to accept the taste difference.

[Bluebell_1990]

The mice I’m feeding him arnt retired breeder size they are the one down from them I know if I was going to try feed him a rat it would be a small weaned rat not an adult because of the size difference I’m worried about his body condition his spine is very prominent


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[bcr229]

If he's 511 grams he's big enough to take a small rat. If he's been underfed then there's no concern with transitioning - he'll likely grab whatever feeder is offered.

I've had rescued underfed BP's take rabbit weans and small chicks. Most snakes in captivity are overfed, it's just ball pythons are one of the few species that will self-regulate so they don't end up obese.

[Bluebell_1990]

If he's 511 grams he's big enough to take a small rat. If he's been underfed then there's no concern with transitioning - he'll likely grab whatever feeder is offered.

I've had rescued underfed BP's take rabbit weans and small chicks. Most snakes in captivity are overfed, it's just ball pythons are one of the few species that will self-regulate so they don't end up obese.

I will try him with small rat Thankyou! Should I still be feeding him weekly? Or bi weekly I feed my other bp every 14 days


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[bcr229]

My adult males are all on every 2-3 week schedules but they're not underfed, and they will still refuse occasionally. I would offer one small rat every two weeks for a few feedings to get him used to the different type and size of feeder, then bump him to weekly for a while if he's still looking overly thin.

[Bluebell_1990]

My adult males are all on every 2-3 week schedules but they're not underfed, and they will still refuse occasionally. I would offer one small rat every two weeks for a few feedings to get him used to the different type and size of feeder, then bump him to weekly for a while if he's still looking overly thin.

Thankyou I will give it a go I’m hoping he takes it first time no tricky needed fingers crossed I will try him and see next week


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