This is how to break it down:
| Ball python age and weight | How often to feed | Size of a feeder prey item |
| Hatchling | Every 5-7 days | Small fuzzy/hopper mouse or similar. Fir ... |
| 1-12 months old, or up to 750 grams, whi ... | Every 5-7 days | 12-15% of your ball python’s weight. Sta ... |
| 1-3 years old | 10-14 days, gradually decrease | 5-7% of your ball python’s weight. 1-2 f ... |
| 3 years old and over (adult) | Once in 2-2.5 weeks, or once in 3-3.5 we ... | 3-5% of your ball python’s weight. You c ... |
What do Baby Ball pythons eat?
Their feeding needs vary depending on their size, and you don’t need to feed them every day. What ball pythons eat. In general, the youngest, smallest ones eat small frozen feeder mice or rats. Larger ball pythons typically eat larger mice or rats. Selecting prey for a ball python.
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.
How many mice to feed a ball python?
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 do I get my ball python to eat again?
Just make sure your snake’s habitat is set up properly with good temperatures, hiding spots, etc. If the ball python is healthy, and if the cage conditions are correct, it should resume eating again when it’s ready. Also know that they can go a long time without food, without any ill effects.
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What should a 2 month old ball python eat?
In general, the youngest, smallest ones eat small frozen feeder mice or rats. Larger ball pythons typically eat larger mice or rats. Selecting prey for a ball python. As a general rule, you should select a rodent that is 1 to 1.25 times the size of the midsection of your snake.
How often should a 2 month old ball python eat?
Ball Python feeding frequency tableAge/circumstanceHow often should they eat?hatchling to 3 months oldevery 5 days3 months to 1 year oldevery 7 days1 to 10 years oldevery 7 to 10 days, reduce to every 14 – 20 if necessaryover 10 years oldonce a month or twice if giving small prey3 more rows•Dec 13, 2021
What do 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 do you feed a 2 month old snake?
1:543:02How to Feed a Baby Snake | Pet Snakes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMost of the time your baby snakes will be more interested in eating. Present the bait headfirst.MoreMost of the time your baby snakes will be more interested in eating. Present the bait headfirst.
How do you know your ball python is hungry?
What is this? You can tell a snake is hungry when it exhibits specific behaviors such as: Prowling the front of the tank, being more active, focussing on you whenever you are near the enclosure, flicking its tongue more often, and hunting at a similar time each day or night.
What can you feed a ball python besides mice?
Ball pythons can eat only rats or mice for an entire lifetime, but they also love to spice up their diet in captivity and feed on other rodent species such as hamsters, gerbils, and other exotic breeds. Young ball pythons should only be fed with large crickets, fuzzy mice, and pinky mice until they grow into adults.
How do you feed a ball python for the first time?
4:2711:23Feeding 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.
When should I feed my new ball python?
Feed juveniles once a week, adults every 1-2 weeks. Ideally, snakes should be fed in a separate feeding enclosure so that your ball python snake doesn't associate your hand or the habitat being opened with feeding. Ball pythons are nocturnal feeders, so they should preferably be offered meals at night.
When Can ball pythons eat small rats?
Ball Python Feeding ChartSnake AgeSnake WeightPrey SizeHatchling50 – 100 gHopper mouse or pinky rat (8-12 g)3 months120 – 200 gSmall mouse or fuzzy rat (13-19 g)6 months300 – 370 gAdult mouse or rat pup (20-30g)1 year500 – 900 g1-3 adult mice or 1 small rat (45-80 g)3 more rows
How big is a 3 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
How long can a ball python go without eating?
Smaller snakes tend to feed more often than larger ones, but species like the ball python can go for as long as two years without needing a meal.
What can I feed my snake instead of mice?
While rats are a popular food source for some snakes, snakes will eat what's available to them.Insects. Smaller snakes, such as the garter snake, will eat a variety of insects, including crickets, cockroaches and insect larva, such as mealworms. ... Small Rodents. ... Eggs. ... Birds and Fish. ... Snakes and Lizards. ... Larger Mammals.
How often should you feed your baby ball python?
Hatchlings (Baby) 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 long can a baby ball python go without eating?
Ball pythons specifically can easily survive up to 6 months without food—but they shouldn't ever skip that many meals, as it can have dire consequences to their overall health.
How long can a ball python go without eating?
Smaller snakes tend to feed more often than larger ones, but species like the ball python can go for as long as two years without needing a meal.
How often should baby snakes eat?
Smaller or younger snakes usually eat twice each week, while larger, more mature snakes typically eat once every week or two. Female snakes approaching breeding season can be fed more frequently.
How to feed a ball Python?
You will need to feed your ball python by offering a mouse/rat with feeding hemostat/tongs like this. 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.
How many prey do baby Pythons eat?
Baby ball pythons will get full from 1 small sized prey, but an adult might need 1-2. Most ball pythons do not eat more than 1-3 prey items per feeding. That’s why you would have to offer something larger, such as rats.
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 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).
What happens if a Python ball is hungry?
If a ball python is hungry, it will often start wandering around or start seeming more alert and watching its surroundings (testing cage limits) at night. Some ball pythons become more active day before and on the day of feeding, especially if you have a feeding schedule.
How long does it take for a Python ball to digest?
Leave your ball python in its cage so it feels safe, and don’t handle for at least 3 days to let it digest a meal.
What is the best food for baby ball Python?
The most common choice for baby ball python food is pinky mice.
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 Long Can A Baby Ball 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.
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.
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.
Why do you put live prey near a ball Python?
Make sure you place it near the ball python’s head, so it senses the food is nearby. Live prey is always better and will be easier to feed to the snake. When live prey moves, it attracts the attention of the python and activates its hunting instincts. Live prey also has a powerful scent.
How often do you need to offer ball Python food?
Every 5-7 days, you need to offer the ball python food.
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.
How does a feeding chart for ball Python change?
A feeding chart for ball pythons will change as they grow and age.
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 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.
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.
Feeding 2 month old ball python - What do you do?
I am getting a lot of advice from people about feeding my snake. I was told by one person to feed my ball python 2 rats pups once a week and told by another to feed him 1 rat pup once a week, and another to feed 1 rat pup twice a week. It's all so confusing. I tried feeding him once a week and he got really skinny.
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I understand your concerns; you hear once a week, twice a week, once every 10 days, one pup two pups, etc.
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If I knew the last time he ever ate I'd feel loads better. The store associated had no idea :/
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 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.
How long to wait to offer a rodent to a snake?
Wait to offer the rodent to your snake until it is completely thawed and no longer rigid.
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 questions do new keepers have about feeding their snakes?
One of the most common questions new keepers have relates to the frequency with which they should feed their snake.
When to switch to rats for Python?
However, you’ll likely want to switch to rats once your snake reaches maturity (if not before), as it may take several mice to satiate a large ball python.
How many rodents should you feed a ball Python?
You should feed a ball python 1 rodent in stead of 2.
How long can a ball python go without eating?
Ball pythons can go a maximum of 5 months without eating. If it is just a baby, mine had the same issue just offer a meal once a week and sooner or later it’ll strick and consume the mouse. Mine literally took 4 months before it decided to eat and now it eats perfectly every time, also is it a new snake in a new tank, or is the snake stressed in any way?
How long does a ball python snake fast?
It’s fairly common for ball pythons to fast for several months at a time. As long as the snake is not losing a significant amount of body weight (and is otherwise healthy), it’s usually not a big deal.
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.
How to get a rat to eat?
Try cracking the skull of the rat, sometimes the smell from the fluids inside will entice them to eat.
Can you use pre-killed mice to freeze a snake?
you should try pre-killed mice which helps them convert to frozen .Converting to frozen is good because they digest it better and live rats could possibly harm your snake
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.
