Quote Originally Posted by blackcrystal22 View Post
In the wild a ball python survives.
EDIT: John could you tell me why you feed your males every 2 weeks? I'm just curious. :]
Your method is very knowledgeable and wise. Rather be safe then sorry.

Jess,

I feed my adult males every two weeks due to their significantly reduced need of nutrition when compared to an adult female that is building back up from laying eggs or that has gained her weight back but will be laying eggs in the near future. Also, by feeding my males every two weeks it is very easy to keep an eye on how their weight is progressing. I can always feed them on their "off" week if I feel that will be beneficial to them. I want my males to be healthy and constantly gaining weight, but I want them to be slim. Not skinny or starving, but just healthy. They have no need to be heavy, just like us. Their bodies do not go through the drastic fluctuations every year due to breeding, as do the females.

If I had any females that I was not planning on breeding, or only for a pet, I would put her on a similar diet. Taking the breeding process out of the equation, there is no adult female that needs to eat every week.

I could compare my methods to how ball pythons live in the wild, but in my house there is no comparison really. They get food when it is appropriate, which is not always the case in the wild, they eat when and what they can. They will, hopefully, breed every year, again not always the case in the wild, I am sure many females do not get the opportunity to breed every year considering how much weight they lose due to laying and incubating. They also get much less exercise in my house than in the wild, so it is much easier for any of my snakes to become obese, in stead of fit. With all these differences, I do not believe that I need to attempt to mimic their conditions in the wild when I can provide conditions that are much better for them.

I hope this helps. Please, if anyone disagrees with me, please speak up. I am always open to hearing other peoples opinion. One can never have to much information to base a decision on.

John