Quote Originally Posted by Awesomethepossum View Post
I had bought a bag of hoppers and fuzzy rats when I got him...I didnt know any better at the time. The rats I offer aren't too much bigger, but he'll only take the hoppers if I leave him alone in the tank with them. And yeah, I agree that it isn't worth missing meals over.

I've never had a baby ball python before, but I just want to make sure I'm doing best by him nutrition-wise. Prey size, and so forth. So he can grow at a good rate. Because I'm sure one hopper once a week isnt enough right now.

I don't know if 153g is good at this point, but I know feedings are crucial at this stage. And if it isnt, I'd like to play some catch-up.. I just heard that its it's better to switch to rats at a younger age, but what you've said reassures me a bit. If needed, I'll wait until hes a bit bigger, but I'll definitely try what you've suggested regardless.
It's not always that they're actually a lot bigger, but they are a stockier built rodent than mice for the same weight size which can seem larger from his perspective.

I've not had a BP drop feed for me, so I don't know if it is harder to get those to switch. All of mine strike off tongs for me.

As far as his size goes, they all grow at different rates genetically and some feed better than others or the owner feeds slightly larger prey than another and results in a bigger snake. As long as his body condition looks good, I wouldn't stress a out his weight much.

I generally aim to feed 10% of body weight until they're at their adult prey size (small rat for males, med rat for females), so you could feed about 15g. For me that's usually a weaned or small mouse depending on vendor.

Refusing a few meals isn't be end of the world, though; keep in mind that they wouldn't be eating this frequently and consistently in the wild and that's the frequency they evolved to grow with and handle well.

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