Feeding size

[gameonpython]

I know this has probably asked before, but what size of mouse is best for a 4 week old hatchling? I've been giving him mouse fuzzies, but some have told me that I need to go bigger. Then I've also been told it should be no bigger than the widest part of the snake. a fuzzy is exactly the width of Marshall. If I went any bigger I worry he might have trouble digesting it.

I'm wondering also about a feeding schedule? Is it necessary? I personally don't see why feeding on the same day at the same time every week is beneficial to the snake, since I doubt they know what day of the week it is. I'm sure a feeding schedule is really helpful and needed for people who own multiple snakes, but I only have one. Ideas?


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[Reed12321]

You should be feeding him Rat pups once every 4-5 days.


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[gameonpython]

You should be feeding him Rat pups once every 4-5 days.


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Ok, but why? Could you please expand on this post?


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[Reed12321]

Your snake is growing. Mice don't provide as many nutrients as rats. And mice look a lot bigger than they are because their fur makes them look thicker. You should feed frozen or live (whichever he's already on) rat pups every 4-5 days until he hits about 300 grams, then jump up to small adult rats once a week for a while.


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[albinos_rule]

juvenile ball pythons are fed rat pups..don't question it just do it!!

[albinos_rule]

I don't agree with the small rat at 300 gram thing. My albino is just now at 300 grams, but still much to small for a small rat..so gonna keep him on weaned rats awhile longer...

[Sauzo]

Best thing to do is buy a kitchen digital scale from like Walmart. Then you feed them 10-20% of their weight. That will give you the size you need. My little girl who is about 10 weeks now(was 6 weeks when I got her) is eating 36g gram rat pups and she weighs 183g. When I got her, she was 102g and was eating rat fuzzies. I feed her every 3-4 days. So in a about a month, she has gained about 80g. So to sum it up, buy a $15 digital kitchen scale from Walmart.

And yes at 300g, a small rat is too big. You want to up to weanlings until probably around 500g, then possibly small rats.

[gameonpython]

Marshall weighs 74 grams only. A 36 gram rat pup is way more than 10-20% of his weight, in fact it's about half his weight.


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[Sammiebob]

Ok, but why? Could you please expand on this post?


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You confuse me. Does there have to be a reason? That's what is healthiest for them and there shouldn't have to be a reason for you to feed your snake on any given days. It takes them approximately that amount of time to fully digest and you don't want to feed them too often

[gameonpython]

You confuse me. Does there have to be a reason? That's what is healthiest for them and there shouldn't have to be a reason for you to feed your snake on any given days. It takes them approximately that amount of time to fully digest and you don't want to feed them too often

Yes, there does have to be a reason. I did not know rats were healthier, so I asked. I guess what I mean more by a schedule is if I always feed on Tuesdays, but one Tuesday I didn't and instead fed on a Wednesday, is that okay?


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