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 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 much rat to feed a ball python?
3-5% of your ball python’s weight. You can feed few mice, but it’s better to feed 1 larger rat Mouse hopper and then change to small weaned mice, or fuzzy rat (10-20 grams). You can start switching to rats Small-medium rat or 2-3 adult mice (60-100 grams). If ball python is over 2 years of age, calculate 5-7%
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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How often do I feed a 6 month old ball python?
How often should a Ball python be fed?As hatchlings, I feed every five to seven days for a good six or seven months. ... Then I change it to once every seven to ten days, once the snake is at six or seven months old. ... It's also vital you are going up in prey size with the snake's growth.More items...•
How long can a 6 month old 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.
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 should my ball python be at 6 months?
1.5 – 2.5 feet | 150-500 grams A healthy 6-month old ball python may weigh as little as 100 grams or as much as 300. At this life stage you will begin to notice that your juvenile female balls is growing a bit faster than your juvenile males.
What else can you feed a ball python besides mice?
Ball pythons in the wild eat a wide variety of rodents aside from mice, and they also eat small birds. In captivity, you can try to feed them any appropriately sized, commercially bred rodent. This includes domestic mice or rats, multimammate mice, gerbils, and hamsters.
How do I know if my ball python is hungry?
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 should I feed my 8 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.
How often should you feed a 5 month old ball python?
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
When Can ball pythons eat small rats?
Ball Python Feeding ScheduleAgeWeightQuantity of Food3 months120-200 gramsSmall mouse or rat6 months300-370 gramsAdult mouse or baby rat1 year500-900 grams1 to 3 mice OR 1 small rat1 ½ years700-1500 grams3 to 5 mice and 1 medium-sized rat OR 2 small rats3 more rows•May 8, 2022
At what age is a ball python full grown?
three yearsAfter 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. By five years, a female can grow as long as six feet, making them twice as big as males.
How old is a 200 gram ball python?
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
How often should a 1 year old ball python eat?
once every 10 to 14 daysYour snake may be the best one to answer this question for you but typically an adult snake (over one year of age) will eat once every 10 to 14 days. Younger snakes should eat more often since they are still growing. They should eat at least once a week, or even once every 5 to 6 days while growing.
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 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 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.
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.
Can Python eat rats?
You should transition your young ball pythons of over 200-300 grams to eating rats, as they are bigger in size. Please note, that most ball pythons get used to eating only one type of prey, and will have issues switching to something else. That’s especially true once your ball python gets older.
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 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.
Can you feed a ball python a frozen python?
Frozen-thawed rodents are easier to store and handle. Some ball pythons may refuse frozen-tha wed rodents, but you should usually attempt to transition them over time. If you do have to feed your snake live prey, be sure to monitor your pet closely and be ready to intervene if the rodent begins biting your snake.
Can you use rats as a snake keeper?
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. There are a number of other prey species available to snake keepers, including hatchling chicks and ducks, as well as gerbils, hamsters and other common rodent pets.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
Can a baby python handle large food?
They can’t handle large food as well as adults can. It’s much more likely for a baby to choke and regurgitate than it is an adult. The size rule applies to baby and adult ball pythons alike, but for babies, this is a hard and fast rule with little wiggle room.
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 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.
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.
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.
Why are there so many ball Python morphs?
They use their unique and irregular color patterns to help them blend in with their environment, this is one of the reasons why there are many natural ball python morphs. Their ambush-style hunting strategy and slow metabolism let these snakes go for weeks or even months between meals.
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 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.
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).
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.
Should you feed a snake outside of the enclosure?
Should you feed outside of the enclosure or inside? Inside! Many snake keepers claim that feeding a snake inside its enclosure will create a phenomenon known as “cage aggression.”. This should not be a problem as long as the keeper uses a paper towel roll or snake hook to alert the snake before handling.
Do feeder rodents have vitamin D?
Some studies have revealed that commercially-bred feeder rodents are deficient in crucial nutrients like vitamin D, which in turn negatively affects the health of the snakes that eat them. There is a risk of developing nutrient deficiency over time even when you buy your prey items from the best breeders.
Do wild animals eat?
Wild animals rarely eat consistently, and they have evolved to survive this. However there is a significant gap between “surviving” and “thriving,” and so as snake keepers we must find a happy medium between respecting the way an animal’s body has evolved and providing adequate nutrition. I believe consistent, reliable access to prey ...
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 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 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.
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.
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.
How much does a 6-month-old ball python weigh?
A healthy 6-month old ball python may weigh as little as 100 grams or as much as 300. At this life stage you will begin to notice that your juvenile female balls is growing a bit faster than your juvenile males. Like many snakes (and many other species) ball pythons are sexually dimorphic.
How to pop baby ball Python?
To sex baby ball pythons breeders pop them by gently placing pressure above and below the snake’s cloaca. The pressure will cause the males hemipenes, dual penises, to pop out. They may also probe the cloaca with a thin metal instrument which will penetrate deeper in males than females.
How often do ball Python babies shed?
Most ball python breeders will not sell their hatchlings until they have eaten at least four times and shed cleanly twice. Like most babies, hatchling ball pythons eat frequently. Most breeders offer hopper rats or fuzzy mice every 4-5 days. Male and female hatchling balls look identical.
How long does it take for a ball python to hatch?
Between 55 and 65 days after they are laid, ball python eggs hatch. The hatchlings tear open the shells with their egg teeth and slither out into the wide new world. In the wild they venture out in search of anything they can eat. In captivity breeders generally move their new clutch to labeled containers in hatchling racks.
How to help a ball Python that is obese?
If your ball python is showing signs of obesity, there are two things you can do. Move them to a bigger cage and add a climbing branch. While ball pythons don’t care for overly large homes, an undersized cage gives them no opportunity to move around or burn off calories. Cut down the food supply.
How old do Python balls have to be to breed?
A male ball python may be ready to breed at 8 months old. Most female balls will not be ready until they are between 2 and 3 years old. Ball pythons should not breed below a certain weight. A skinny 4-year-old female may not make eggs even if she locks up. A healthy 6-month-old male may fertilize an ovulating female.
What is an overweight ball Python?
Instead of a rounded triangular body, an overweight ball python is circular like an overstuffed sausage. The sides bulge out and the scales are overstretched. You may see deposits of fat around its neck and the tip of its tail may look unusually small next to its bloated behind.
How much does a 30 month old ball python weigh?
30 months old. 1,120-1,800 grams. Adult (3 years old and over) 1,200-1,800 grams, up to 1,800-2,300 grams, can reach even 3 kg. Females will be larger. Smaller specimens might only weigh 800-1,000 grams. Please note, that there is no set ball python growth chart that will show you ideal ball python weights.
What is a ball python?
A ball python that’s a healthy weight will have a healthy physique – a lean triangular shape body. There should be no fat deposits or rolls all throughout the body, giving your ball python a full round look. Your ball python’s spine must be somehow prominent, rather than sunken (sings of obesity).
When to switch to rats in Python?
It is a good idea to switch to rats as soon as your ball python hits 150-200 grams or similar. #3: Larger ball pythons generally weigh more. Body construction is important when looking at ball python’s weight. This start being more noticeable as your ball python grows, after around 1-2 years of age.
Is there a set length for a ball Python?
Same as with weight ratios, there is no set length that your ball python should be at certain age. It will differ in ball pythons and will be affected by both internal and external factors.
Is a ball python healthy?
Please allow your ball python to develop at its own rate and don’t force or power feed to make it grow faster. That is unhealthy and stressful for your ball python. The best way to tell if your ball python is a healthy weight is to assess it visually ...
Can you feed a ball Python?
Please note, it must be gradual. You should never feed too much, too often, or big prey items to make it put on weight quickly. This will make your ball python sick, will cause regurgitation and make it go on hunger strikes.
Do Python balls grow?
Ball pythons grow at different rates – it will depend on how often you feed your ball python, its genetics and husbandry . Appetite will also depend on ball python’s current well-being. Please note that weights and sizes provided in the charts below are only an average and vary greatly.
