Ball Python-no mice?

[Skittles1101]

They have different sizes. If you ask any employee they will be able to help you with sizes...

Like someone else said waiting a day or two won't hurt. If you can find someone more comfortable feeding it then good on you. It's good to know that you're at least trying to exhaust every option.

[txcoker]

What region our town are you in, maybe someone on here can reach out and help you?

[seanzee1]

If you are in the Miami area in Florida I have extra rats and I'll more than happily help feed it


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[NH93]

I mean... I am torn here.
On the one hand, I think there are so many ways to be able to feed this snake (as in what you, OP, have already suggested - even finding/paying someone else to feed it, or suck it up and do it yourself because having had the snake for a year, I am really surprised you haven't yet - pregnant or not)...
On the other hand, snakes can go weeks without food. If the snake was just fed prior to your friend going away, I would say 21 days is fine. I don't think it would hurt an 8 year old BP, given that the snake is actually very healthy and in proper husbandry, but I don't know.
They go on hunger strikes for weeks at a time, but because of their own doing.

Like I said, personally I am torn. I think you should try your damndest to feed it frozen/thawed. But I think it would live if the feeding(s) weren't successful.

I am going to add one last thing by saying that I think you ARE a ball python owner. Even if temporarily. I think you did the right thing coming to this forum but I also think you should learn how to feed the snake. It sounds very possible to me that your friend may not be able to have it back... at least, any time soon.

[grcforce327]

my friend is in jail for at least the next 21 days for not paying child support. he fell on some hard times these last few months.

I know of dead beat dads that got thrown in jail for willfully skipping out on paying for a long time. Never heard of being jailed for 21+ days for missing a couple child support payments because of "hard times". Since you brought it up,please explain.

[CORBIN911]

I know of dead beat dads that got thrown in jail for willfully skipping out on paying for a long time. Never heard of being jailed for 21+ days for missing a couple child support payments because of "hard times". Since you brought it up,please explain.

I do not think that should be bothered speaking about, This is a reptile forum not a small claims court. If you would like to hear I think PM would be better, just my 2 cents!

[AlexisFitzy]

I know of dead beat dads that got thrown in jail for willfully skipping out on paying for a long time. Never heard of being jailed for 21+ days for missing a couple child support payments because of "hard times". Since you brought it up,please explain.

What is there to explain? Not paying child support isn't taken lightly. It's not easy raising a child/children all on your own, my mom had to do it with me. He's not paying, he's broken the law, so he's in jail. There's nothing left to explain.

Also she said "not paying child support" not "missing a couple child support payments" you have no idea how much he may owe, and it's not of our business to know anyway.


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[sho220]

I do not think that should be bothered speaking about, This is a reptile forum not a small claims court. If you would like to hear I think PM would be better, just my 2 cents!

If I was the OP I would have just said he's out of town for a few months...

[ClarkT]

I know there are a lot of picky opinions here, but I'm going to share this anyway. A ball python can thrive on birds, just as it would rodents. I'm speaking from experience.

If it really is in need of a meal, you could consider getting a chicken/quail, or other acceptable feeder bird, and feed the snake. Not all ball pythons would take them, but I'd bet that most would.

Another option is a young rabbit. Again, not all ball pythons would take a rabbit, either. For that matter, not all ball pythons will eat rats.


The toughest part of you using something else would be choosing the appropriate size. Based on using large rats, you'd look for a meal that is likely in the 100-150 gram range.

This is just a suggestion based on previous experiences I've had when rats weren't available at all in my area. T's been quite a while since I had to go that route, as I now breed rats. Don't crucify me, people....


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[coldbloodaddict]

Unfortunately, you can't feed store bought chicken and especially not fish to a ball python. You can buy frozen rats or mice at any Petco or pet store. You just thaw that out and then warm it up using hot (not boiling) water, and you can feed it that way. You don't have to use a live rodent...

He would technically be okay for a few weeks, but it's not ideal. They should eat once every 7-10 days or so...

actually you could feed store bought uncooked chicken if you get the appropriate size piece. Years ago I had a buddy that used to feed chicken from the grocery store to his big snakes all the time.


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