Q: Rat size . . . . . . . word

[BigKenjDogg]

Hey, I haven't been here for a while. I hope everyone and their balls are doing well.

Quick questions, when my ball is an adult, how big of a rat am i going to have to feed it? It's still pretty young and a small rat suits her fine, but I'm just curious. Thanks.

[Royal-y__Great]

you should always feed something that is the size of, or a LITTLE bit bigger, if it isnt perfect

so, i think it all really depends on your ball, but probably just regular size rats, maybe even large rats

[elevatethis]

I work at a pet shop and herps are what we're known for. Most of the people who come in to get food for their adult ball pythons are getting medium or large rats.

One guy who comes in has a ball that will only eat a rat that is alive and biting. He said its the best killer/eater as well. I dont think that I could deal with a snake like that, I'd be so paranoid about bites.

[VerS]

I have a side question (if y'all don't mind). I don't know if I'll get sufficient feedback or not, but . . . . ..

Will a ball try to eat a rat that's too big? For instance, in trying to determine how big of a mouse/rat to feed to it. If you threw one in the cage that was too big, would the snake still go after it and potentially choke on it? Or will it be smart enough to know it can't eat it and refuse it/leave it alone?

Maybe it's a wierd question, but I'm curious, and no one ever seems to touch on this.

[Nate]

i've never had that problem...take a look at the snake's girth (how big around it is) and then look at the girth of the rat/mouse....if it's the same size or a little bigger (like Royal-y said) then s/he will eat it fine. it's amazing how much a snake can stretch it's skin...you'd be suprised!

[Marla]

Generally snakes are good at judging how big is too big and won't go after it (or will strike defensively), but sometimes they will start trying to eat and then change their minds. Then you end up with a gross dead rodent and a snake with a sore throat who needs to avoid eating until it's had time to heal, so it's best for you to offer only appropriate-sized prey to begin with.

[Ginevive]

I feed my adult Bp a large sized rat, but nothing as big as the "jumbo" rats you usually see at the pet store. Those could be eaten by him if he really, really stretched, but I do not want to put him through unnecessary stress so I feed the large sized ones.
In my experience, my snakes will check out a prey item that's too big, and even constrict it. But when it comes to swallowing time, they'll look it over a bit and flick their tongue around it, and then move on and not eat.