Rescuing a girl...Only JUST found out how bad her situation is =[

[RockNRollProcelain]

1300+ g male


1100+ g male

Mousers their whole life, you feed what they will eat..........Not what you think they should eat.

Out of curiosity, what size mice are you feeding them? I felt more upset about the fact that he was feeding them small and medium mice - which to me seems far too small. If they eat mice, feed them them large mice, right? That makes more sense to me because I have young Ball Pythons that are eating small and medium mice, and there's no way they're anywhere near breeding size. My bigger girl has been eating large mice for a little while. I know that some ball pythons won't make the switch from mice to rats. So I don't judge mice eaters. I guess I just thought the size of the mouse was a problem. All small and medium mice I have seen are pretty darn small, far too small, in my personal opinion, to make a decent sized meal for a breeder sized snake. If I'm wrong, please let me know. =] I'm genuinely curious.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Out of curiosity, what size mice are you feeding them? I felt more upset about the fact that he was feeding them small and medium mice - which to me seems far too small.

Whatever I have on hand on feeding day, anything over a hopper.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Thanks for bravely coming forward and admitting you are an animal abuser.................I recommend you immediately stop feeding them what the want to eat and force them into a long period of food refusal by making them eat something they have no interest in.

I am in need of a stern keyboard tongue lashing LOL

[RockNRollProcelain]

Whatever I have on hand on feeding day, anything over a hopper.

Are you feeding them multiple of whatever you have then? Or is it just the one? And if you feed multiple, are you figuring out how much to feed them via their weight or via a visual cue? Sorry for the semi-stupid questions. I've never fed multiple smaller prey items. All my Ball Pythons eat prey that is about the same girth as them at their widest point. I've never had any problems, so I've never had to figure out feeding with multiple smaller prey items or play with the type of food I'm offering them. Even the Ball Pythons I get from breeders who feed live have immediately made the F/T transition with me. I've been super lucky I think!

[PitOnTheProwl]

Not a stupid question.
I feed them till they stop eating.
sometimes one or ten, just depends how hungry they are.

[RockNRollProcelain]

Not a stupid question.
I feed them till they stop eating.
sometimes one or ten, just depends how hungry they are.

Gotcha =] Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I really appreciate it. I lack experience with picky eaters - which is ironic because I have all Ball Pythons. The most work I have to do is the zombie dance for one girl, but the others will eat right off a plate. So whenever I can gain knowledge, I really appreciate it - as I'm sure I'll run into a picky eater eventually!

Oh, and I'll know about the girl's situation in a little over an hour, so I'll make another post with an update after I've been there and back.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Gotcha =] The most work I have to do is the zombie dance for one girl, but the others will eat right off a plate

I don't even have to do that, live move on their own.

[LadyByrd]

So, did you get your girl? If so, hope you can post a picture of her soon. Also, if you did get her, is she actually gravid?

[RockNRollProcelain]

So I got the girl - and worked out a plan so I'll have the boy too in a few weeks. It's difficult to tell if she's gravid or not - she has some signs, but nothing 100% (possible v-shaped concave, . She has a slight wheeze that I couldn't hear when I was picking her up (it was noisy) but now that she's at my home, she has a faint, definite, occasional wheeze. I'm guessing an RI, so I'll be taking her to the vet ASAP! Other than appearing a bit dehydrated and having stuck shed, she looks fairly healthy. She is active and curious - I tried to get pics but she won't hold still long enough xD She's a good 3-4 feet in length and approximately 4 years old. I won't be weighing her today - I'd like her to settle in and if she's gravid, I want limited handling for her - but when I do weigh her I'll update that. Her temperament is very sweet - I can see her becoming an excellent education snake.

[LadyByrd]

Glad you were able to rescue her and I hope that the Vet gives her a clean bill of health.