Ball Python Feeding Guidelines

[Eric Alan]

if you are keeping them as a pet, but you followed the breeder guidelines, what would happen? is it for them to "bulk up" faster?
would it be harmful to?

"Bulk up" really isn't the right way to think about it. It's playing into their voracious appetites when they're young to set them up for success as they get older. For someone who breeds ball pythons, it is especially important to take advantage of this while they can and then gradually back off when their animals tell them to as they mature. That's what I tried to replicate in the chart. For a pet, in the grand scheme of things, the growth rate of their little ones is less important and, ultimately, most BPs will do well on a once/week schedule. Whichever side a person follows, after a few months they're exactly the same anyway. No harm will come to any animals using either guide - it's a pretty conservative schedule.

Personally, I advocate the "breeder" side for all animals - pets and breeders alike. Getting little ones into a good feeding routine is beneficial for everyone. I didn't want to box anyone in though and say that there's only one way to do things, which is why I left the guide flexible.