How often do you offer food?

[George1994]

Hello everyone.

I have read in a few breeders blogs and a few different posts on forums that most of the snakes that have the longest for them, are the ones that feed about once every 2-3 weeks. I was feeding my adult male once a week, and he was putting on weight very fast. I thought that if I kept that up the he would reach an unhealthy weight. Like all things, eating too much will lead to negative health effects. So, I was just wondering what the average ball python keeper does.

I was thinking of maybe offering food somewhere around the 2 week mark from now on. Opinions?

[BiggBaddWolf]

Depends on the snake, and the size of rodent you are feeding..My juvenile pastel gets a rat pup every seven days, while my adult male gets a medium rat every ten.

[George1994]

Good point, I should have mentioned I was talking about adults only, babies feed more regularly. Thanks

[Mr. Misha]

I feed my adults once a week as well. I think it all depends on the size of the prey you're feeding. Im sure you can feed them bi-weekly and thry won't even notice. Again, it all depends on the size of the rodent. I personally prefer feeding smaller meals every week.

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[George1994]

I feed my adults once a week as well. I think it all depends on the size of the prey you're feeding. Im sure you can feed them bi-weekly and thry won't even notice. Again, it all depends on the size of the rodent. I personally prefer feeding smaller meals every week.

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Fair point, I guess feeding a smaller prey item more often would fix the weight gain issue. I just like to think that the more natural their life in a vivarium can be the better. Having them go two weeks without food is probably more like what the wild is like for them. This is all conjecture though

[KING JAMES]

Honestly I offer every five days, makes it easy to do all my feedings at once. Keep in mind I feed them slightly smaller prey to make up for my more frequent feeding.

[George1994]

Honestly I offer every five days, makes it easy to do all my feedings at once. Keep in mind I feed them slightly smaller prey to make up for my more frequent feeding.

Every 5 days! Interesting. What sort of prey size do you feed your adults if you feed them that frequently? I should have added a less than 7 days option, maybe a mod can edit it?

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[KING JAMES]

Depends on the size of the snake and a few other factors. If the rats are a little larger or the snake does not seem immediately interested it gets skipped till the next go around. I feed live so thawing out more/ having extras thawed out is never an issue I go down to the basement and get enough rats for about 75% to eat and usually only run a few short or have one or two leftover. My breeder females get whatever they want if they want a medium every five days they will get it. If they are more tuned into a small every ten days that is fine too. Some people say I am feeding to much..I say my average clutch is 9+ eggs

[myztic24]

I feed my snakes every 2 weeks

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[George1994]

I feed my snakes every 2 weeks

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Same as me, what is your reasoning for this?

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