Feeding Time?

[Blizzarddude]

Ok guys, this week I have given 2 adult mice to monty total, his first adults ever! Well I was wonderin hes about 18in or so long, and do you think he can eat 2 adult mice a week or one a week, w/ his first feed on an adult he gained 25g! Thats unbeliveable, with his second adult last night I'm guessin he's 120g, when I weighed him after his first feed he wieghed 96g, thats 24g up from 72g when I first fed him. So what do you think? He was under wieght I know thats why I gave him 2, one sunday and one last night (wednesday). Should I feed him labor day or next wednesday night?

[Adam_Wysocki]

He's 96 grams and you fed him 2 adult mice? I'd be careful, hatchlings will eat more than they can handle and regurg later. I have 600 and 700 gram sub adults that only eat 1 adult mouse per week. I think 1 per week is fine for a long time.

-adam

[Blizzarddude]

No, I didnt feed him 2 adult mice in one sitting, I fed him 2 adult mice in total since sunday, one sunday night because he was hungry and it was feeding time, and one adult mouse last night, I knew he was under wieght already, just wanted to know if it was ok to keep doing it, and how long. I know that I'm going to cut back but I know he needed it so far. It was a big differince after the first adult mouse 48hrs later, I could tell he needed it.

[Adam_Wysocki]

I could tell he needed it.

I assure you that he didn't. One mouse can last a young ball python a lot more than a couple of days no matter how "underweight" it is.

But it sure sounds like you've got it all covered so good luck with that!

-adam

[Blizzarddude]

It was great because when I got done thawing the mouse I put it under the heat lamp fer a minuite or two and BAM, he poked his head out, tounge just a flickerin away, he came 2/3 of the way our and looked around, toung justa flyin. I put the mouse in the tank and not 1 minuite later he had bitten and coiled down on the mouse. I'll tell ya what, he eats like a devil. He will eat anytime, anyday. Hes a great eater, I'll give him that.

[mr~python]

adams right, one prey item a little less then his girth a week shoulb be fine till hes an adult.

[Adam_Wysocki]

It was great because when I got done thawing the mouse I put it under the heat lamp fer a minuite or two and BAM, he poked his head out, tounge just a flickerin away, he came 2/3 of the way our and looked around, toung justa flyin. I put the mouse in the tank and not 1 minuite later he had bitten and coiled down on the mouse. I'll tell ya what, he eats like a devil. He will eat anytime, anyday. Hes a great eater, I'll give him that.

Almost all hatchling ball pythons are ... I've seen them eat themselves to death.

-adam

[new2BP]

blizz, i have a Bp not too much larger than yours. about 21" and around 160g. i was feeding one adult mouse every 7 days and she was gainning wieght every week. 10 - 15 g a week. i am going to start every 5 or 6 days starting this week. i have heard that juv's can feed every 5 - 7 days.

[jglass38]

Blizz, listen to Adam when he talks. Dont overfeed. No good can come out of it. Worst case you are setting him up for a shortened life span. In the wild, ball pythons are opportunity feeders and they can go long periods without food. Regurgitation is also a possibility with large meals close together as Adam mentioned. I have a snake with regurgitation problems and believe me, its no fun (and worse for the snake!). Take care and good luck..

Jamie

[Blizzarddude]

Thanks for the responses guys, I really appreciate it.