What Size Rodent?

[Streller]

Any update on the weight of Monty yet?

[ShaggyRS6]

Just weighed him - 8.7 ounces - 246 Grams - He ate one adult mouse without pooping. So that weight includes the unpooped mouse.

[Streller]

When referring to the weight of a ball python, the standard unit to use is grams. You should try weighing Monty in grams. Also, place the cover/tub/whatever you're putting on the scales to weigh him in on the scales first, wait for a stable weight to be shown. Then press the Zero-Tare button, that will remove current weight so that it seems the object weighs 0g. Then when you put Monty into that tub, it will only calculate his weight.

Ha, you just edited your post, before I posted this. Sorry!

[ShaggyRS6]

Back to the original question then. Adult mice ok for now? Once a week? or should I be feeding more.

[Streller]

If you're going to abide by the 10-15% body weight rule, which has worked for me over the past year of having my BP, then sure. As an adult mouse will generally weigh around 20-30g for a male, and 18-35g for a female. Feeding just under the 10-15% body weight rule probably won't hurt. I'd say what you're doing right now is all good. But, in the near future you will probably want to try getting him onto rats, as they are far better. For now, adult mice work.

[EL-Ziggy]

I'd suggest getting him on rats if possible. A rat pup or weaned rat should do the trick. Every 7 days should be fine too.

[ShaggyRS6]

Ok, I will go through the last 2 mice I have - I fed him last Wednesday. The small rats look massive in comparison though. Does that sound ok? do a large mouse once a week for the next 2 weeks? Or should I got to 2 mice a week? Sorry for any confusion.

[ShaggyRS6]

Im still non the wiser what I do about his food size. The baby rats look far to big to give him and the adult mice are probably a bit too small. On another note, I did feed him last night but he was not all that keen and took a good amount of coaxing. What I did THINK I noticed was that his eyes where going a bit misty. I can be sure as he never really ventured far out of his hide to take the mouse. Maybe starting a shed? I have no clue.

[Ax01]

sounds like Monty is in blue. it must be exciting for your first shed to see him get blueish-grey. make sure to increase his humidity for the next week or so while he sheds his old skin.

anyway back on topic - many pet stores skip sizes between feeders. for example, in my area the big chain pet stores skip from pinkie rat to small rat. however, there are a few sizes in between - fuzzy, crawler, weanling. the crawler is about the size of an adult mice and weanling the size or a large mice. u might have to go to another source - reptile shop, breeder or online retailer to get the correct size feeder.

also when their eyes are misty/blue, they can't see well. Make sure their prey is heated well, as they can still use their smell and heat pits to locate prey.

[ShaggyRS6]

sounds like Monty is in blue. it must be exciting for your first shed to see him get blueish-grey. make sure to increase his humidity for the next week or so while he sheds his old skin.

anyway back on topic - many pet stores skip sizes between feeders. for example, in my area the big chain pet stores skip from pinkie rat to small rat. however, there are a few sizes in between - fuzzy, crawler, weanling. the crawler is about the size of an adult mice and weanling the size or a large mice. u might have to go to another source - reptile shop, breeder or online retailer to get the correct size feeder.

also when their eyes are misty/blue, they can't see well. Make sure their prey is heated well, as they can still use their smell and heat pits to locate prey.

Yeah he missed striking it 3 times.