Not finding this website and sooner and taking the advise of Larry and associates at Critter Barn for the first six months that I had my first ball python first month I had my second. They say to feed them a mouse as big around as the biggest part of their body every seven days. Among other things that contradict the members of this amazing forum. Since being on this forum i've learned that it's better to feed a rat (more protein etc) big enough to give them a good sized bulge every five days until they hit 500 grams. They even said (I asked them a couple weeks ago) if they've heard of ball-pythons.net and say they learned from experience and to take everything you guys say with a grain of salt. While i've heard from a member on here that Larry is an idiot and to take everything he says with a grain of salt. He doesn't even use grams in breeding he just looks at the snake and decides if it's ready. I think i'll trust you guys rather than the man who thinks he can learn by lots of experience without much actual research.