What size mouse/rat should I feed my bll python?

[EvesFriend]

I got her from PetCo about a month ago and have no idea how old she is. She is probably 15 inches or so long. Should I be feeding her regular sized mice or hoppers?


What is a good rule of thumb when deciding on the size of prey?

[MitsuMike]

10-15% of body mass
or
size of the thickest part of the body

[Kaorte]

She could probably eat a small adult mouse no problem. Hoppers are probably too small at this point.

[DJ_Bizarre]

Yea, like stated above try to shoot for 10-15% of body mass. Or the easiest way would be nothing larger than the thickest part of your snakes body, hope this helps.
P.S. fuzzies could probably used for a hatchling but seeing as petco usually doesn't carry hatchlings, I would go for at hoppers at the smallest.

[jtyson123]

I personally feed my little guys hopper rats by the time they are 15". Measuring or judging girth of your snake and then comparing to the rats is your best bet. Try to get something that is just about the same size as the snakes girth, give or take a little.