Quote Originally Posted by Wh00h0069 View Post
Jim Sargent wrote in the below link that black-headed pythons can be kept on a rodent diet. He did not mention anything about them eating reptiles. I have been very interested in acquiring a pair, but may not if I have to feed them reptiles. Also, I assume that they eat f/t. Does anyone know of any issues with them eating f/t?

http://www.splitrockreptiles.com/htm...husbandry.html
Sure, you can raise them on rodents. Many people have for years, and alot of keepers still do. That said, about 90% of their diet in the wild is reptiles, with the remaining 10% made up of birds, rodents and other items. So it seems logical to me, that if you can supplement their diet w/ reptile prey, it will certainly have benifits.

They are garbage disposals and will take just about anything in prey, at any time. They aren't picky, or difficult feeders once they are started (with that in mind, if you aren't experienced w/ bhps - DO NOT buy one that is not readily eating). It is not feasible in captivity to get anywhere near % of reptile feeders without spending a fortune - so, to my knowledge, most of the captive animals are raised on a diet that is largely made up of rodents.

As for eating F/T, it is the only way to go w/ these guys. Like womas, they tend to crush their prey against the wall of a tunnel or a rock instead of coiling to constrict like most pythons. As a result, if you offer live rodents - you will end up w/ a tattered bhp that has lots of war wounds and scars.

If you do opt to stick w/ the rodent only diet - it is EXTREMELY important not to over feed and to monitor the fat intake. BHP's are very prone to health issues that stem from to much fat (fatty tumors, liver issues and kidney problems are pretty common in fat bhps). Use prey that is lean, and in controlled amounts. You don't have to starve them by any means, but an obese bhp will either cost you a fortune in vet bills or you will lose your snake.

Rats once they pass what is commonly called "medium", skyrocket in the % of fat content. So, feed smaller prey (smalls and mediums) and just give them more then one to make up the meal.