Quote Originally Posted by moonbeam View Post
I am so lost. I have visited so many sites learning whatever I can (still) that I'm on info overload. My main concern right now is in regards to feeding. My first ball, Naga, which I purchased last April (I was told she was 3-6 mths old) eats 1 mouse every other week and seems satisfied with this. BUT some sites I've been to say she should be eating weekly. I was considering just trying to feed her weekly and see what happens, but I've also read that balls can easily become overweight. Do you see my dilemma? What do you guys/gals think I should do? I'm kind of taking a poll here? Now, onto my next ball, Neela. I received her through the passing of a relative so I don't have much background info on her. I just know she was being fed 2 mice every other week, but she definitely still seems hungry even after 2. I believe I'll move her up to 3 mice. I'm just curious about whether or not to feed these gals (that's what I was told anyway) weekly or bi-weekly. I sure hope I get some helpful info from you guys/gals and soon 'cause it's feeding time!
I am sorry that you're feeling overwhelmed The reason might be because there is not only one good way of keeping these snakes. That said, there is a way that a lot of keepers follow and that seems to work. I have 13 balls pythons and I feed them all once every 7 days (every Thursday night). I have read that some members feed prey that is 10% of their snakes weight; so if your snake weighs 200g, you'd feed a prey item weighing 20g. For my snakes, when they hit around 200g, I feed a 55g prey item. When my breeding girls get to the 400g mark, I feed an 80g prey.

I prefer to not feed multiple prey items, though some people do. Right now I have a little female who is almost at 200g and yet I am still feeding her 19g prey size because that is what she is taking. (I have no idea why; she's just a silly thing!) Anyway, I feed her her prey every 5 days until she gets up to the next prey size. This seems to work for her.

So, maybe you could think about feeding every 5 days and move your snake up to an appropriately sized rat prey; mice will become too small (I believe). In the end, you know your snake and will succeed in figuring this out. Asking others is a great way to get info, but sometimes it does feel like an information assault!!!!! Good luck and I hope this has helped you some.