Question about feeding multiple mice

[amberlynn]

I need some guidance with something.

My first bp, Jack, that I got in ’06 has been on small rats for over a year. He has never had a problem with eating.

Then I got my second ball python last August, a female, also an 06, and she didn’t take food for months. She ate a rat pup in November, and she finally ate a mouse in December.

Now she eats every week, and weighs 736 grams. I’ve found that she won’t eat small rats or weaned rats ( at this point) She loves mice, though, and I started her out gradually on one mouse for a while, and now I have her up to two.

I decided to try the rat thing again, and she just won’t eat them. I am aware that it is best to feed larger prey instead of multiple prey. I would like her to gain a little more weight, so...here’s my question:

How many mice can you feed at a time without overfeeding? I wanted to up her to three. Does anyone else have a bp that just eats mice? This is new to me and any help would be appreciated.

Here's Clovis:

[quinten801]

I feed my bp 3 mice every 7 days, he doesn't seem to mind at all, hes an 06' as well. Hes a stubborn one and will only accept live, and since rats are illegal where I am i found myself in an interesting situation, but the mice seem to work just as well as a rat.

[Mr. Constrictor]

I have an 06 female het albino that i can't get to eat a rat either. Shes around 1100 grams and has eaten as many as 4 mice in one feeding with out even leaving a lump in her.

[2kdime]

I probably wouldnt hesitate feeding 3 mice in a sitting. My big girl has supposedly been eating rats that i just picked up. Shes a very problematic feeder. I may offer her some mice and see how she does.

But i would think 3 mice would be allright. Maybe Chrisbowsman will chime in. I think hes feeding 3 mice at a time too.

[Elvyra's Keeper]

I have two 07 balls, and my girl won't eat rats, even if they are the same size as a mouse. I have never had a problem feeding her, even switching from live to f/t. When I figured out she won't eat rats, I got worried, but everyone on here said it's fine, just feed more. I was also told that if you feel like you are feeding too much at one time, feed twice a week. I'm not an expert, these are my first snakes, but it seams reasonable enough to me.

[gianni]

my 450gr normal male BP eat 3 mice every 7-10 days,he still refuse small rats.

[amberlynn]

Thanks for the help, everyone!

I'll go ahead with 3 and see if I can't get her weight up.

[ChrisBowsman]

But i would think 3 mice would be allright. Maybe Chrisbowsman will chime in. I think hes feeding 3 mice at a time too.

Yep. My male is a Nov '05, ~1300 grams, and nails 3 mice a week. I get the largest mice I can get from Jack's, and he pounds them one after another.

I really think 3 is the magic number, because he always stays out in hunting mode after numbers 1 and 2, but instantly retreats to his hide after the third.

[amberlynn]

Thanks, Chris!

[ChrisBowsman]

No problem, good luck!

As far as 1 rat being better than several mice, it seems to really come down to who you want to believe. The bottom line seems to be feeding your snake enough of what it will eat. There are enough people with thriving snakes eating each that I honestly think either is fine, so long as the snake is healthy.