feeding

[AndrewGeibel]

I understand that you are supposed to feed your ball python food that is approximately the same size around as the thickest part of their body. But I have heard of people feeding their snakes more than one mouse. How do you know if you should be doing this?

[xdeus]

Actually, that rule only applies until the Ball is about a year old. You should gradually increase the size of their prey until you get to a weaned or very small rat (or 1-2 large mice). After that they can get by with that sized meal for the rest of their life and they will be less likely to stop eating or go on "fasts" that you frequently hear about.

[AndrewGeibel]

Ya I kind of assumed that because obviously you couldnt feed an adult ball python something as big around as it is. How would i know whether to feed it one or two mice though. My ball python is feeding on adult mice now and last time I fed him he seemed like he was looking around for more food. Does this mean that I should try feeding him more than one mouse?

[haveaball]

Good question. I was wondering the same thing. But for clarification, I should wait until my ball is one, then increase the number of mice I feed him?

[haveaball]

Yea. My ball is about 26in. and he's not a year, but he gobbles his food up rather quickly. I've only been feeding him one mouse though. I hear obesity is a problem and I want to avoid that.

[xdeus]

Obesity is not normally a problem with Balls as they will usually stop eating if you overfeed them. At 26 inches you can probably still feed him one large mouse a week for a while longer. He definitely won't starve if that is what you're worried about, but he won't grow as fast as if you fed him two.

In the end you have to use your best judgement as there is no straight formula. If you feed them more they will grow faster but will be more prone to fasting, and if you feed less they'll grow slower but will most likely eat consistently for you.

[haveaball]

thx-that helps!