Is this a healthy ball python??

[CantHelpIt]

Handy dandy little conversion chart to let you know what size rat would replace your current food item.

Is this chart based on nutritional value?
It doesn't appear to be a gram for gram equivalent

[T_Sauer]

I was actually posting it so the OP could tell what size rat would be equivalent to the prey item that is currently being offered. However, you did make good points and I should've provided more information when providing the chart.

I understood what you were getting at and like I said I didnt intent to step on toes but the fact that the OP had to ask this question to begin with made me feel that there should be a little bit more elaboration on the situation. And it is no fault or anything of that sort of the OP either, but it is a sad fact that many first time BP owners are either misinformed or not given enough info by the breeder or seller at the time of purchase, I myself feel that that is part of our (those of us who choose to stay and frequent this site) duty

[T_Sauer]

CantHelpIt ...... read the next to last post on page 1

[T_Sauer]

SmoothScales ......... I'm not going to say I told you so but ......

Is this chart based on nutritional value?
It doesn't appear to be a gram for gram equivalent

[pbyeerts]

Good morning! Welcome to the mouse vs. rat debate among BP owners, which is as old as the frozen/thawed vs. feeding live debate. You will find owners on both sides furiously telling you which one should be fed to your girl.

Rats are cheaper in the long run, as they are so much larger, but it all depends on what your BP prefers to eat. There is some chatter about nutritional differences between rats and mice as well. Our Ginger will only eat live mice - she refuses live rats and anything frozen/thawed. It's just how she's eating now, and hopefully she'll go back to rats to save me a lot of $$$. But mice are her preference, so she gets mice.

The rule of thumb regarding the size of her food is to feed her something that is 10% larger than the widest part of her body. That being said, I have spent a lot of time in the pet store, trying to size up her food. Is this rat too big, or too small.....ugh. I suggest that you err on the size of too small if you switch over to rats. Feed her a small rat and see what happens. She should plump nicely with a full belly.

How old is she, what does she weigh, and how long is she? Are you feeding live? That will help us to help you determine the size of prey that's right for her.

Cheers,
Pamela








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[dthe2000]

whoa all these replies

When I got her, the guy told me she was about a year old? I've had her for 2 years so I'm guessing she's at least 3.
I have no clue how much she weighs but I think she's about 2 1/2 feet; I've kinda measured her before but it was really quick and she wasnt completely straightened out.
From what I've seen, she's not picky; she eats both live and frozen/thawed mice. It's kind of a mix, because I'm not sure whether I'm going to the store or if my aunt goes when i don't have a ride; i buy f/t and she buys live.

[dthe2000]

i also have no way to weigh her atm 8(

[pbyeerts]

You would need to pick up a food scale - they don't cost much - and weigh her in grams. Place a bowl on the scale and weigh it. Then place your BP in the bowl, do the math, and voila! you've got her weight.