Arguing over Feeding!!

[SCWood]

I recently switched our Normal female yearlings to f/t small rats. They take them well and have eaten them for at least the past 3 feedings which occur every two weeks. However, my mother in law went to buy the food this time and came home with several f/t mice and one small rat...I asked why and she said she was not comfortable with my feeding her snake a larger prey item.
Keep in mind we are both first time snake owners. I have done lots of research, plus I work at a pet store with a reptile expert and am also close friends with a reptile rescuer AND a wildlife sanctuary that specializes in reptiles. I alerted everyone to the food size change and everyone thought it was awesome except her. Now, I can't feed my own snake without being lectured that I am powerfeeding and over stressing her. My manager, who has dealt in herpetology for quite a while, said she is one of the best looking snakes she's ever seen from a first time handler and to keep doing what I was doing and that yes they were ready for rats.
My worries are that Cleo, mom's snake, likes her rats. When I fed her the mice, it took much coaxing and she seemed hesitant. She slurped them down within minutes and sat there looking at me like 'really?'. I'm worried she is underfeeding her snake. When I expressed this, she said well I will just keep underfeeding my snake and you do what you want with yours. I have invested a lot of time and love in these girls and don't want to see her snake suffer. Could anyone help me figure this out? I think she's only scared because our snakes hit some major growth spurts after starting on rats and she said she doesn't want her snake to get big...yet. She wants her snake to stay relatively small.

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[Rickys_Reptiles]

How large is your snake? At 1 year old most Ball Pythons should be eating small rats, but if your snake is small then they may need to eat smaller sized prey. A large adult mouse is around 30-35 grams I believe, which is small for most year old Ball Pythons. It's hard to truly respond correctly to your specific situation without knowing how large your snake is though.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I really wish people would learn what power feeding is.......
Tell your mom I have females that will eat 2 or 3 mediums a week and see what she says.
I offer to my snakes till they refuse unless they are leaving me huge poo piles, them I cut them back till they stop wasting food.
One small rat every 2 weeks could be about right depending on the weight of the animals.

[EL-Ziggy]

I say live and let live. Keep feeding your snake the appropriately sized prey items. Her snake won't starve if she's eating mice and eventually she'll realize it needs more food. You can lead a MIL to water but you can't make her drink.

[SCWood]

How large is your snake? At 1 year old most Ball Pythons should be eating small rats, but if your snake is small then they may need to eat smaller sized prey. A large adult mouse is around 30-35 grams I believe, which is small for most year old Ball Pythons. It's hard to truly respond correctly to your specific situation without knowing how large your snake is though.

They are both 2ft long and 4in around. Their heads are small in comparison to their bodies but they sure do like their rats.

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[SCWood]

I really wish people would learn what power feeding is.......
Tell your mom I have females that will eat 2 or 3 mediums a week and see what she says.
I offer to my snakes till they refuse unless they are leaving me huge poo piles, them I cut them back till they stop wasting food.
One small rat every 2 weeks could be about right depending on the weight of the animals.

She won't let me weigh them. (T_T)

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[PitOnTheProwl]

She wont let you....... WoW
Weight is the main factor to go by.
At that point I would let her fend for her own snake.
Just make sure you keep yours healthy and happy.

[SCWood]

She wont let you....... WoW
Weight is the main factor to go by.
At that point I would let her fend for her own snake.
Just make sure you keep yours healthy and happy.

Yes I am dead serious. She had threatened to destroy any scales I bring in. 😑

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[Lizardlicks]

Yes I am dead serious. She had threatened to destroy any scales I bring in. 

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Wut...

[PitOnTheProwl]

Yes I am dead serious. She had threatened to destroy any scales I bring in.

Dude I am really trying hard not to call your mother names to your face but this is probably one of the stupidest things I have ever heard.
Why is she so against something that can help inform about the health of your snakes?