Another feeding question

[BlueMoonExotics]

So with all the help from my last thread I have decided to go with f/t feedings. My questions now would be:


1. Is it possible to overfeed a snake? I know it's possible with some animals like my frogs (mine are a little on the chunky side ) but my crested geckos pretty much eat what they want and regulate themselves.
2. How do you guys decide how often to feed or when to bump up the size of the feeders? (she's still a baby)
3. If you start them with mice do you have to switch them over to rats when they are full grown?

Just trying to get the last few of my noob questions answered and out of the way before she gets here. Thanks for all the help!

[TheSnakeGuy]

I've got 3 babies around 2 months old eating medium F/T mice. They will be on full grown in probably 6 weeks. You really can't over feed them. All you can do it offer food every 5-6 days and hope they take it. This is a fast growing period and they absorb a high percentage of the food mass. Don't over offer food if any don't eat. If they miss a meal, wait 5 more days before offering again. I've heard that rats offer a little more meat(protein). Once they can eat adult mice you might want to offer fuzzy rats. It's all up to preference, just pick a food equal to the biggest girth of your snake.

[Mike41793]

1. Is it possible to overfeed a snake? I know it's possible with some animals like my frogs (mine are a little on the chunky side ) but my crested geckos pretty much eat what they want and regulate themselves.
2. How do you guys decide how often to feed or when to bump up the size of the feeders? (she's still a baby)
3. If you start them with mice do you have to switch them over to rats when they are full grown?

1. Yes, but it is easily avoidable. Feed your snake one appropriately sized rodent once a week. Appropriately sized is a rodent about the same or slightly larger than the fattest part of your ball python. Just eyeball it. Since you have a baby if you'd like you can feed your snake every 4-5 days until she reaches 500grams or so and is no longer a baby. This isnt necessary but does usually make them grow faster.

2. Read above^. Whether you choose a 4-5 day or 7 day schedule is entirely up to you.

3. You dont HAVE to switch them over to rats if you dont want to. The main reason people usually do is because its more convenient to feed 1 f/t rat than multiple f/t mice. You can switch them over whenever you want. Some breeders start their bps on fuzzy rats right away so your girl could probably take them now.

[BlueMoonExotics]

Thanks guys the advice really does help a ton. She was just switched over to f/t mice from live, so I suppose it's probably best to give her awhile before switching her again to give her time to settle in and everything.