question about rats...

[iFlingP00]

Actually, my snakes won't have any problems eating either of these two
rats after just one week. Much longer than 2 weeks, yea...then there'd be
a problem. I realize that you don't need to feed a 'medium' rat to any size ball python, even though they might be large enough to safely swallow and digest them. But, as the only pet store here in town (other than petsmart,
which, IMHO, is a joke), They will not take any type of return, or exchange on feeders.
Perhaps it's a safety thing with feeders? The store doesn't know if the 'food'
has been exposed to mites, or a virus or fungus or anything of that sort.
Or... perhaps they just don't like the hassle of returns/echanges.

We'll just hafta see what happens... I plan on attempting to feed again tomorrow, so wish me luck!
If they don't get eaten... they may get donated back to a store.

[nova2door]

Your rats will grow too big for any ball python in a week.

not true. i have rats a bought 5 weeks ago as mediums and some of my balls could eat them.

[TMoore]

not true. i have rats a bought 5 weeks ago as mediums and some of my balls could eat them.

They could, but should they?

[iCandiBallPythons]

I have a male and female ball python, both eating small rats.
(well, the rats are big for 'small'... but the pet store has issues.)
Ok, so... the last time my guys ate was DEC 26th. I offered them
food on Jan 9th, and again last Friday, the 23rd.
They have just decided it's not time yet, and I know balls are sometimes
finicky.
Setup: (because I know someone's likely to ask)
They're in a rack, in 30qt tubs, on aspen bedding, and each snake
has a hide. temps are 83 - 92, humidity is 56%, in BOTH tubs.

My question is this... until the snakes are ready to eat,
how can I keep two rats happy and healthy?
Right now I have them in a 10 gal tank, with a water bottle, food bowl
(with Kaytee rat food) and aspen bedding, with a small snake hide.
I also got them 2 'cheese chews', which I guess gives them
something to chew on that's good for them.

They may be food, but I want them to be comfy and happy until
the end.

If theyre male and female just put them together theyll be more than happy

[nova2door]

They could, but should they?

yes, i have some that are 8 and 10 years old and they eat med or large rats
i understand his are not as big as mine, but you said ANY ball

[nixer]

yes, i have some that are 8 and 10 years old and they eat med or large rats
i understand his are not as big as mine, but you said ANY ball

i have one that if i feed it a med you dont see much of a bulge

[littleindiangirl]

yes, i have some that are 8 and 10 years old and they eat med or large rats
i understand his are not as big as mine, but you said ANY ball

Actually I said any ball.

Maybe others rats don't grow as fast as mine, but my 5-6 week old rats are big enough for my bloods and bci, whereas ball pythons might have a tough time but may still manage to get it down. Should I have worded it differently to say that a ball python doesn't need such a large meal to survive in captivity?

Perhaps for your's and others benefit, I'll remove the 'any' next time or couple it with an 'other than'.


And to help illustrate my point, my rats at 9 weeks of age are anywhere from 175-250 grams. Thats a big rat for any ball, not many people will have ball pythons capable of easily eating a rat that large, though they may be able to manage getting it down.

[nova2door]

i have one that if i feed it a med you dont see much of a bulge

my one that is about 8 or 9 years old ate 2 med rats last week and you coudn't see a bulge at all. i only feed it 1 but the other snake didn't want his and it was f/t so i didn't want to waste it.