Underweight Python :(

[AaronAshley]

Hi,

I recently got a female ball python (3 months old according to her previous owners) and I'm concerned about her weight. I've only had her just over a week. When I got her, her previous owners had her eating 1 pinkie mouse F/T once a week. They told me to continue this routine, but she seemed thin so I tried giving her 2 pinkies the next meal. She refused the second pinkie, but took the first very easily. I was recently advised that she should be eating much larger mice, then eventually rats. I'd prefer to keep her on F/T, but what size should she be eating? I love my girl and know she should be eating better. There are pictures of her on my profile. Thanks!

[JaGv]

if it's the snake with the name of violet. then a small or medium mouse should be ok the pinky is too small

[MikeM75]

Feeder size should be roughly equivalent to the widest part of her body. Another way to do it is weigh the BP and feed it a mouse or pinkie rat that is about 15% its body weight.

If it is used to mice right now and takes them once a week, you can try to "scent" a pinkie with the mouse if you prefer to do rats only, I have 2 younger ones that were fed mice when they hatched so I have to 'scent' for them each feeding. I am very much hoping that the 'scenting' part of it won't last very long and they will begin to just take rats cuz I HATE mice, they smell SO bad, but I had to buy a trio to try to breed them this past month to get my girls to eat something.

[R3dn0ze]

What's her weight mate?

[Tyner]

I'd switch to mice, you're probably just overwhelming her with two pinkys at a time.

[Skittles1101]

Judging by the picture of her in your hand I'd go with hopper or adult mice.

[snakecharmer3638]

I would go with an adult mouse or rat pup every five days.....

[AaronAshley]

Thanks everyone I don't want to startle her, so I'm going to slowly increase her meal size. Last night she took 2 fuzzies for me and loved every second of it. I will get this girl up to a lovely size very soon

[CD CONSTRICTORS]

All hatchlings I purchased had pretty much fed on fuzzies for a few meals and maybe a rat pup before I got them. All mine are around 100g- 175g now and take ~15-20g rat pups no problem.