What should sampson be eating?

[KayleighBrown]

Hey everyone. I just had a small feeding question. I didn't really want to make a new thread, and thought about asking this question in the previous feeding thread, but I didn't want to be rude to that person, so. My question is, I measured Sampson today, and I want to say he is about 2 feet give or take.

What exactly is ok for me to feed him and what would you guys suggest? Right now he eats one adult mouse, every two weeks, as suggested by a snake/pet shop owner. She told me never feed a python rats, and I'm curious to why. I see some people feed their balls rats and some mice. But what exactly is the controversy on rats and mice during feeding? Also how often should I be feeding Sampson and how many mice depending on size can he eat on feeding day?

This is stuff I would really like to know about and would like to hear what you fine people would do.

Thanks for reading. ^^

[Retroz]

Its easier to go by weight In grams, as opposed to length. If you have a scale to weigh him, that would definitely help.

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[200xth]

Not sure why the pet store owner would say no rats. Rats are generally preferred since it's easier to feed (1 rat instead of 5 or 6 mice at a time). Millions of ball pythons across the world are thriving on rats.

What to feed now is based more on weight than length. If you have a scale, get your snake's weight in grams. If you have no scale, you'll have to eyeball it. You generally want something as big around as the snake is wide at it's widest point.

[KayleighBrown]

I'll see if I can find a scale this weekend then. My husband works and by the time he gets out, most stores and shops will be closed. It really stinks. I get paid tomorrow, so I'll try to see if I can find a scale.

[Crazymonkee]

Wow two for two on that shop! Rats are preferred and weekly feedings are the norm. Yeh length doesn't really matter... weight or width of the snake.

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[CrystalRose]

The only reason I can think of why someone would say no rats is if you are feeding live because they can give the snake a nastier bite. However many people here feed live rats with supervision and no problems. So that is really not an issue either. You can up his feeding to one mouse every week. Most people feed every 5-7 days.

I would see about getting him on to rats though. It's much easier to feed one appropriately sized rat every week when they adults instead of 5-6 mice. Without a weight it's hard to say what size you should be feeding him but I would say probably rat pups or weanlings.

[KayleighBrown]

I wish I knew how old Sampson really is. I want to say he is a year, only 2 ft long or so, that isn't a full adult is it? Aren't adults like full grown when 4 ft? Also if I did feed him a live rat, and something went wrong, what can I do to help? When I brought Sampson in to see what kind of mice he should eat, she actually said he was fat, and should eat an adult mouse every two weeks.

I really want to find out how much he weighs now, so I will get a scale, I just haven't seen any in any of the pet shops or supply shops I visit.

[Naom9Anne]

I have never heard that you shouldn't feed rats :/ I feed F/T and every rep place I have been to here in the UK recommends rats! My pastel came from a reputable rep shop feeding on rat weanlings, my boy is on large rat weanlings and my spider I'm getting tomorrow ( ) will be getting transferred to rats as soon as I can!

[BrandiR]

I wish I knew how old Sampson really is. I want to say he is a year, only 2 ft long or so, that isn't a full adult is it? Aren't adults like full grown when 4 ft? Also if I did feed him a live rat, and something went wrong, what can I do to help? When I brought Sampson in to see what kind of mice he should eat, she actually said he was fat, and should eat an adult mouse every two weeks.

I really want to find out how much he weighs now, so I will get a scale, I just haven't seen any in any of the pet shops or supply shops I visit.

You don't have to get a scale from a pet shop. You can find them in the kitchen-crap section at Walmart, Target, whatever.

[jwill226]

Dose the shop you went to sell rats? If not that may be why they want to sell you their mice.

The shop I bought my BP from was feeding small mice every 2 weeks as well. The owners daughter told me quietly off to the side that this is to keep them small longer. "No one wants a pet that's already grown". I see where they are coming from but to send people home with the wrong info is just bad. The same shop doesn't provide belly heat either. Only reason I bought my BP their is I knew it had just came in the day before. They didn't have a chance to mess it up. I went back a couple months later for some feeders and the couple BPs from the same clutch that where still there had hardly grown and mine was at least 50% bigger then them.

Getting a scale is important. If for some reason you can't get one right away look for rats/mice that are as big around as the fattest part of your BP.