Ball Python Feeding Schedule
| Age | Weight | Quantity of Food | Frequency |
| Hatchling | 50-100 grams | Very small mouse or rat (like a pinky ra ... | Once every five days |
| 3 months | 120-200 grams | Small mouse or rat | Once a week |
| 6 months | 300-370 grams | Adult mouse or baby rat | Once every 7 to 10 days |
| 1 year | 500-900 grams | 1 to 3 mice OR 1 small rat | Once every 10 to 14 days |
What to know about ball python diet and feeding?
When learning about ball python diet and feeding, it’s important to know which food and prey items to feed, what size foods to feed, how often to feed a baby and adult ball python, and other things such as how to tell when a ball python is hungry.
How often should I Feed my baby pythons?
The prey should be just smaller than the size of your snake’s widest point. Larger snakes need larger prey, but less often. Pythons at this age frequently become overweight because their owner continues to use a juvenile feeding schedule ( i.e. feeding every 5-7 days ). Make sure you are only feeding every two or three weeks.
Can you feed baby ball pythons mice?
You should feed a baby ball python, which is under a year old, smaller mice or rats. As your ball python grows and gains weight, switch to larger sized rodents. That will make sure that your ball python perceives and accepts what you offer as food. If feeding frozen mice or rats, make sure to thaw them properly before offering.
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What should I feed my baby ball python?
Despite the fact that baby ball pythons eat nothing but animal protein, they ingest it in a similar way as adult ball pythons do. The most essential thing to note is that the prey must be the appropriate size. Pinky mice and fuzzy rats are the typical diet of baby ball pythons, as well as large crickets.
How big is a 1 month old ball python?
Ball Python Size & Weight ChartAgeWeightLength1 Month50-150 Grams10-12 Inches2 Months70-170 Grams10-12 Inches3 Months90-180 Grams10-12 Inches4 Months140-280 Grams12-18 Inches12 more rows•Feb 10, 2021
When should I first feed my ball python?
4:3111:23Feeding Ball Python Hatchlings (First Time After Hatching)! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then once they shed i usually give them maybe three or four days up to a week. Before i actuallyMoreAnd then once they shed i usually give them maybe three or four days up to a week. Before i actually offer them food and it's pretty easy all you have to do is just kind of open the tub.
How much should a 1 month old ball python weigh?
Ball python weight chartAge of a ball pythonWeight of a ball python1 month old60-105 grams2 months old80-130 grams3 months old130-200 grams4 months old200-270 grams13 more rows
What should I feed my 2 month old ball python?
Your ball python should eat weaned mice and young rats as a juvenile, and adult rats and several mice as an adult, supplemented with the occasional chick, quail, or gerbil.
What can I feed my ball python besides mice?
What else can you feed a Ball python besides mice?Rats.Mice.Chicks.Hamster.Gerbil.Quail.Multimammate mice.Guinea pigs.
How do I know if my ball python is hungry?
Snakes will let you know when they're hungry. They will start prowling their enclosure and their tongue flicks will increase in frequency and number.
How fast do baby ball pythons grow?
Hatchlings of both sexes are born between 10 to 17 inches long. Males should grow around 8 inches per year, while females grow between 12 to 16 inches each year. After three years, a male will be full grown and should measure 2.5 to 3.5 feet. At the same age females should be approaching 4.5 feet.
How old is a 2 foot ball python?
Ball Python Size Chart By AgeAgeMaleFemaleOne year1.5 to 2 ft2 ftTwo Years2 to 3 ft2.5 to 3 ftThree Years2.5 to 3.5 ft3 to 5 ftFour Years+3 to 3.5 ft4 to 6 ft2 more rows•Sep 30, 2021
How can I make my ball python grow faster?
0:134:423 Steps To Make Your Ball Python Grow Bigger/Stronger - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWay is to inject mercury. Straight into them as well same exact technique. And then the third one isMoreWay is to inject mercury. Straight into them as well same exact technique. And then the third one is to not feed them rodents. But take calcium powder put water in it put it into huge balls dissolve.
How old is a 2 foot ball python?
Size By AgeAgeMale LengthFemale LengthOne year1.5 to 2 feet2 feetOne and a Half Years2 to 2.5 feet2 to 3 feetTwo Years2 to 3 feet2.5 to 3.5 feetThree Years2.5 to 3.5 feet3 to 5 feet4 more rows
How fast do baby ball pythons grow?
Hatchling ball pythons grow fast. Within four months most hatchling balls have doubled or even tripled their weight. At this point breeders know their hatchlings are healthy, eating, and ready to go on the market.
How long does it take a ball python to grow?
3 yearsYou will need to increase habitat size beyond 20 gallons as your snake grows to adulthood. A ball python will reach adult size in 3 years. An adult should be housed in a tank that is large enough for them to stretch out fully. A 40-gallon breeder tank is the minimum recommended tank size for an adult ball python.
How old is a juvenile ball python?
between two-six monthsJuvenile ball pythons are also between two-six months in age.
What do baby ball Pythons eat?
This is why you need to know what to feed a baby ball python. Baby ball pythons still eat only protein-based animals just like adult ball pythons do. The main thing to watch for is the prey is of the correct size. Pinky mice or fuzzy rats (babies of these forms) and large crickets are the typical diets for baby ball pythons.
How often do Python balls eat?
Adult ball pythons only eat every 10-14 days. The python will bite and wrap itself around the food, then proceed to swallow the prey whole. Over the next 48 hours, it will work on digesting the food, and you’ll see the lump in its body. During this time, don’t handle the ball python.
What is a pinky mouse?
Pinky mice (also written as a pinkie) are baby mice whose fur hasn’t fully grown in. As a result, these mice have a pink look to them and are very small. This is where the name pinky mice come from. Though rats are usually better for ball pythons, at the small-sized baby pythons, it won’t matter which you use.
How long can a baby Python go without eating?
While adult ball pythons may go 3-4 months without eating and up to 6 months (though they shouldn’t), the baby ball python has no reason to go anywhere near this long. Every 5-7 days, you need to offer the ball python food. There are only two main reasons a baby ball python won’t eat.
What is a fuzzie?
Fuzzies are baby rats or juvenile mice. Rats are considered the better staple food for the health of ball pythons. They’re one of the ball python’s natural prey. But at the baby size, ball pythons aren’t as picky, and fuzzies aren’t as easily available as pinky mice. If you do pursue fuzzies, make sure the size is correct for ...
How often do baby Pythons shed?
Baby ball pythons may shed up to once per week or more if they’re hitting a growth spurt. If your plan to feed them falls one of these days, they just won’t eat. Look for signs of shedding, which include whitening skin, glassed over eyes, and cranky behavior. Don’t help along in the shedding process.
How to feed a ball Python?
How To Feed Ball Python. Feeding ball pythons is surprisingly simple. In most cases, all you need to do is put the prey in the cage and watch it go to town . Young ball pythons may struggle more to find the food. Make sure you place it near the ball python’s head, so it senses the food is nearby.
How to stop a ball Python from eating rats?
Gradually reduce scenting as your ball python is eating rats for few times in a row. #2: Make sure to warm rat prey in warm water/under the lamp to elicit feeding response. #3: Experiment with rat colors, ball pythons might have preferences. Stick to same color when switching, or try to experiment if needed.
How to get a ball Python to wiggle?
Wiggle the prey item, to spike your ball python’s interest. Grasp a prey rodent on the back and wiggle until your ball python constricts. Once it constricts, keep wiggling a bit longer so it can constrict harder. Wash your hands after handling prey items, before you start feeding your ball python.
How much does a mouse weigh in Python?
Weaned and then small rats (up to 60 grams, when ball python reaches 450-500 grams), or Jumbo mouse. 500-750 grams. Small rat (60-70 grams) or 2 adult mice, or up to 10-15% of your ball python’s weight if under 2 years of age, 750-1500 grams. Small-medium rat or 2-3 adult mice (60-100 grams).
How old do mice need to be to eat Python?
Larger mice will be around 1-1.5 months old. However, as your ball python gets larger (up to a year old or so), you will need to either feed 2-3 mice, or switch to small adult rats. Please use a digital kitchen scales like this to measure prey’s weight and your ball pythons weight (monthly).
How long does it take for a Python ball to switch?
Most ball pythons don’t have any issues switching, and accept rats straight away. Others might have an issue switching, and it can take weeks to months to get back on track. Please be patient and monitor your ball python’s weight.
Is it better to feed a ball python or a mouse?
Feeding one larger meal is always better than trying to feed two smaller ones. That’s because your ball python might accept only 1 food item, and refuse to eat more. Also, it is easier to digest 1 prey item, rather than few. Rats are larger than mice.
Can you heat up a ball python?
Most ball pythons won’t accept food unless it’s warm, as they have heat sensing pits that help detect prey. Thaw frozen rodents in a fridge overnight, and then you can heat them in a bag by inserting in hot water/under a lamp. Heating a thawed rodent to 100-105 F (37.7-40.5 C) is ideal for your ball python.
How to feed a snake a frozen rodent?
If you intend to feed your snake a frozen rodent, you’ll need to begin by thawing it out. The best way to do so is by simply setting the rodent out on a few paper towels or newspaper sheets in a warm room. Wait to offer the rodent to your snake until it is completely thawed and no longer rigid.
What is the prey of a ball Python?
Ball Python Prey Selection: Prey Species. In the wild, ball pythons primarily subsist on rodents, but they may also consume birds or lizards on occasion. In captivity, commercially reared feeder rodents are the best choice, but you’ll still need to decide whether rats or mice make more sense.
How to feed a frozen thawed snake?
On the other hand, if you intend to feed a frozen-thawed rodent to your snake, you’ll need to start by gripping the rodent with a pair of long feeding tongs. Grip the back half of the rodent, so that you can present the rodent’s head directly to your snake.
How big should a snake be for prey?
In rare circumstances, it may even cause injuries to his digestive tract. As a rule of thumb, you’ll want any prey item you offer to be about 1 to 1.25 times the size of your snake at mid-body (although advanced keepers may be comfortable feeding rodents approaching 1.5 times the snake’s mid-body diameter).
What is the most interesting aspect of snake care?
Feeding is one of the most interesting aspects of snake care. Many keepers enjoy this aspect of snake husbandry, but others – particularly beginners – often feel intimidated by the entire process.
What is the second decision you must make?
The second decision you must make relates to the size of the prey item you select. As long as your snake will accept the prey item, there isn’t a danger in erring on the small side.
Can a ball python be wild bred?
This isn’t as big a problem for modern keepers as it was for ball python enthusiasts in decades past, as most ball pythons on the market are now captive-bred, rather than wild-caught. Nevertheless, keepers may occasionally find that their snake is disinterested in the food items offered.
How old are Python balls?
5 Years Old. Both male and female ball pythons are fully mature at five years old. Interestingly, they will continue to grow gradually for the rest of their lives. Your ball python should now be a consistent weight (unless it is being used for breeding) and your feeding schedule should not need to change.
How many rats can you feed a Python program?
4-5 adult mice, 1 medium rat, or 2 small rats ( 90-150 g) Every 21 – 50 days. The size of your python determines what size prey you should feed. A good rule of thumb is to feed prey that are is wider than the largest part of your python’s midsection.
How fast do Python hatchlings grow?
Hatchling pythons grow very fast! Females can grow up to 12 inches within a year and males can grow eight inches per year. To keep up with their growth hatchlings need to eat a lot. They should be fed a hopper mouse every five days for the first four weeks of their life.
How to defrost a rat in the microwave?
After the prey is thawed, place it inside a plastic bag. Place the plastic bag in warm water and allow it to heat to about 110°F. Dry the rat. Use soft tongs to lift the rat by the tail and offer it to your snake.
How big should a six month old Python be?
At six months old your python should be between 20 and 27 inches and have a good appetite. You can now offer a larger prey item over longer periods of time. One rat pup or adult mouse every ten days works well for most individuals.
What do ball pythons eat?
Ball pythons are carnivores that hunt and eat small mammals and birds. In their native range in West and Central Africa, they prefer African giant rats, black rats, grass mice, weaver birds, and rufous-nosed rats. However, their prey is not limited to these animals, they will feed on any bird or mammal small enough to be swallowed.
Why is it important to keep a feeding schedule for Python?
Sticking to a feeding schedule is important to accurately regulate your ball python’s weight. Schedules will help to make sure that your python will not go hungry, but also lets you easily keep track of and adjust the amount you are feeding to prevent overfeeding.
What Do Ball Pythons Eat?
Ball pythons are carnivores, and need to be fed meat on a regular basis.
How Often Should I Feed My Ball Python?
Ball pythons can grow surprisingly quickly when they are well fed. At the same time, ball pythons can be lazy, and some specimens do seem to get a little overweight.
What Size Food Should I Give My Ball Python?
When selecting a prey item for your snake, the easiest process is to think of the circumeference of the item. This should be no larger than the fattest part of your snake. Thus a hatchling may need tiny mice, while larger adults may eat adult rats.
Should I Feed Rats or Mice?
Whether to feed rats or mice is a contentious issue in ball python circles. In truth, for small pythons it can be easier to feed very small mice.
Frozen Vs Live Food for Ball Pythons
There are two traditional ways to feed a ball python; either giving them live rodents to catch and kill, or providing dead animals that are bought frozen.
What About Uneaten Food?
Uneaten food is bad news. A live rodent, as discussed, can bite and nip at your snake. But even frozen food left in the cage for long periods isn’t good news; it can quickly go off in the warmth of a ball python cages and smalls rancid!
How Should I Actually Feed My Ball Python?
Once you’ve selected a suitable prey item, next you need to actually feed it to your ball python. Here’s the process I use…
What to Feed a Ball Python
Like other snakes, Ball Pythons are carnivores that prefer to hunt and eat small birds and mammals. Since these snakes are native to West and Central Africa, they most often eat Black Rats, Giant Rats, Grass Mice, Rufous-Nosed Rats, and Weaver Birds in the wild.
How to Feed Ball Pythons
If you have a Ball Python, you have two feeding methods to choose from: live prey or pre-killed prey. On the one hand, live prey creates a more similar hunting experience for the snake and may be less gross for you to watch, but live prey can also injure your snake during the hunt.
Tips For Feeding Your Ball Python
Although feeding a Ball Python is relatively straightforward, there are some tips you may want to keep in mind. These tips can make the process easier and ensure your snake is healthy.
Final Thoughts
Because Ball Pythons have such low metabolisms, only feed the snake as often as it needs. Familiarize yourself with the chart above to know how much you should feed your snake. You can select live or frozen mice, rats, or chicks for food. Being diligent in providing your snake the proper diet can help it stay healthier for longer.
How to tell if a snake is obese?
It’s difficult to tell whether a snake is obese, but not impossible. An imaginary cross-section of a healthy ball python would look a bit like a melted Hershey Kiss, round on the sides with a gentle peak at the top (the spine).
How much do ball Pythons eat?
In the wild, adult ball pythons eat only an average of 10x/year, and even snakes in the most naturalistic enclosures with the best care will still “fast,” usually during cooler times of the year. Young adult females around 1000g are particularly notorious for this — a phenomenon called “the Wall.” Males also tend to fast for a limited amount of time during breeding season.
What does it mean when a snake has a prominent spine?
A prominent spine means that the snake isn’t eating enough, and an invisible spine means that the snake needs to eat less. Obesity is a rampant problem among pet snakes, and especially in ball pythons. For more information and a helpful visual, go here.
How long does it take for a squid to thaw?
This allows it to thaw slowly in a cold environment, which discourages bacterial growth, same as how you’re supposed to thaw frozen meat. Then about 15-30 minutes before feeding, stick the prey in a BPA-free plastic bag like a Ziploc and submerge in warm, almost hot, water.
What is an error feeding?
Erratic feeding is a feeding “schedule” with no schedule at all. There is no feeding schedule in the wild, which means that ball pythons need to be opportunistic predators if they want to eat. That means active hunting and not refusing what they manage to find.
What to do if your water bowl gets soiled?
Naturally, if it gets soiled before then, scrub the bowl with a bleach solution and replace water immediately . Note: There is a common belief that distilled or softened water is better for reptiles than tap (hard) water. This is false.
Do ball Pythons eat feeder rodents?
Although as obligate carnivores ball pythons should get all of the nutrition they need from the animals they eat, the nutrition provided by feeder rodents is often inferior to the nutrition provided by the prey that ball pythons would consume in the wild.
How much humidity do ball Pythons need?
You need to keep your tank at at minimum 60% humidity at all times! During shed it can be as high as 80%. When your snake sheds it should all come off in one solid piece, no straggly bits.
How often should I feed my Python?
So I usually tell people to feed their ball pythons as often as possible, but never any more than once a week. There may be times when your snake refuses several meals in a row, so you’ll be lucky to get one meal in for the whole month. It happens. And most of the time, it’s nothing to worry about. If a ball python is healthy, and it’s kept in the proper conditions, it will resume eating again.
Can a ball Python eat again?
And most of the time, it’s nothing to worry about. If a ball python is healthy, and it’s kept in the proper conditions, it will resume eating again. How often to feed a ball python is the easiest question to answer. In fact, I just answered it above.
Do you need supplemental heat for a ball Python habitat?
You’ll also need some kind of supplemental heat, to keep it from getting to cool. Heating a ball python habitat takes some trial and error. You rarely get it right the first time. You’ll have to experiment with heating pads, tapes, and/or lamps to get it right.
Who is Brandon from Purgatory?
He's the author of the ball python care guide as well as the horror-thriller novel Purgatory .
