New to this forum! Can't find answers anywhere, thought you guys could help

[justlittlebitt]

I have a normal ball python, Hades, that I'm having trouble finding the appropriate size meal for him(her?). He weighs roughly 380 grams. I want to try feeding him a small rat, but the only problem is that I feel like his biggest part of his body is too small. Currently, he eats f/t large mice, but recently they're not giving him a bulge. Weaned rats would be my next option, but sadly they aren't available where I live and I really can't afford the shipping costs from online breeders.

He seems to be growing longer instead of wider and longer (if that makes sense?). He's my first snake and I want nothing but the best for him, just hit a dead end in trying to find an answer. With that being said, just looking for some options. Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.

[MarkS]

I would just double up on the mice for a while until he's big enough to take small rats.

[JaGv]

i used to give my female bp 2 mice a week at 300-400 grams and switched to small rats at 500g.

[angllady2]

For now this is an easy fix sweetie, just feed two or more mice.

Most of us run in to this problem at one time or another. The easiest solution is just to feed multiple prey items for a while. While not ideal, most of us do it at one time or another. I have a few dedicated mousers. While a couple only eat two or three mice, I have one male who will happily eat four or five if I let him. He's 2500 grams, and should be eating rats, but he wants no part of them. So mice are what he gets.

Since ball pythons grow at different rates, I wouldn't worry too much about him. As long as he eats regularly, and you aren't trying to feed him pinky's, he'll be fine. But do give it a try. Offer him two mice next feeding. Let him eat one, get his jaws readjusted, then offer him another and see what he does. Of he takes them both, next time do it again.

Gale

[Centexsnakes]

Just like what has been said above! I have a full grown male that only eats mice, just feed more prey items!

[justlittlebitt]

It's a hit and miss when i try to do this method. Whenever I try to feed two he eats the one no problem. But then I'll offer the other one and he'll strike and coil it, but then leave and ignore it. 1/4 times he'll actually eat the other one.

[MarkS]

It's a hit and miss when i try to do this method. Whenever I try to feed two he eats the one no problem. But then I'll offer the other one and he'll strike and coil it, but then leave and ignore it. 1/4 times he'll actually eat the other one.

Try feeding him twice a week then. Sometimes it'll work and sometimes it won't. Adult mice are typically around 20-25 grams and weaned rats are usually around 30-40g 1-2 mice a week should be about right for his size, but as long as your snake is healthy and growing whatever he prefers to eat should be fine.

[justlittlebitt]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll definitely try the feeding twice a week and see if he'll take them after he is done shedding. Hopefully he will cooperate with me.