I feed my ball pythons every week. Sometimes they get 2 small items sometimes 1 large, sometimes 6 very small items. Sometimes they have a lump in their body afterwards, but mostly they look like they always do. If I miss a week on an animal or two, no big deal.

I would be surprised if ball pythons in the wild ate more than 7 or 8 times a year.

My point is that there is no "right way" or "wrong way" to feed your snake. You should do whats best for you and your ball python! If it's eating and growing you are doing it right.

Also, I disagree with the idea that 2 small meals cost the snake more energy to eat than 1 large. Swallowing a small meal is easier for the snakes muscles to move down the body. Swallowing a large meal takes a considerable effort on the snakes part. According to my records animals that I feed multiple small meals to on average gain weight and grow faster than animals that will only take a single large meal. But in the end I would guess that either way is about even.

Hope this helps.

-adam