- Rodents. Feeding a ball python can be a challenge. It’s best to start small, and stick to rodents that are roughly an inch in diameter.
- Mice. You can feed ball pythons with a variety of prey items. Frozen mice, rats, and other rodents should be dangled near the snake.
- Rats. Using rats to feed your ball pythons can be an excellent idea. Rats have the right size and shape to attract a ball python’s attention.
- Chicken. There are a few things to remember when it comes to chicken feed for ball pythons. First, never feed them cooked chicken.
What are the best tips for feeding a ball python?
Tempting Reluctant Eaters to Feed
- Don’t panic if your snake refuses to eat. ...
- Ensure that your husbandry practices are good, and that the habitat is set up ideally. ...
- Try feeding your snake at night, in low-light conditions. ...
- Experiment with rodents of different colors. ...
- Place your snake in a small container with a frozen-thawed rodent. ...
- Consider using scent-transfer techniques. ...
What's the best time of day to feed a ball python?
And the best time of day for feeding a ball python might be in the evening or nighttime hours. But temperature plays an important role as well. If the snake detects that the cage is too cool, it will likely turn down the meal.
How much should I Feed my ball python?
If you want to give your ball python a greater variety of prey, you can consider the following:
- Large crickets – this is usually reserved for smaller, baby ball pythons, and not adults.
- Chicks – they offer some variety and a more interesting form of prey for ball pythons. ...
- Quails – fowl is a good option to provide variety in a snake’s diet and quail makes a good-sized alternative to mice.
What are the essentials for a ball python?
- They are named as they are because they can retract into a tight ball when felt endangered.
- Ball Pythons can be male or female, and as with many reptiles, Ball Pythons cannot be bred until they reach sexual maturity.
- Ball pythons have poor eyesight.
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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 often should my ball python eat?
every 1-2 weeksHow often do ball pythons eat? Juvenile ball pythons should be fed once a week and adult ball pythons should be fed every 1-2 weeks.
How do you feed a new ball python?
2:436:47Getting a Picky Ball Python to Eat! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd these pits allow them to see the heat of their prey items. So what many people will do is they'MoreAnd these pits allow them to see the heat of their prey items. So what many people will do is they'll take their frozen Mouse. And leave it in the hot water too long and that water will become cool.
What can I feed my snake besides mice?
The most popular pet snakes usually eat prey such as mice, rats, gerbils, and hamsters. Larger pet snakes also eat whole rabbits.
Do ball pythons eat fruit?
Keep in mind that snakes are carnivorous. They cannot survive and thrive without meat in their lives. Their bodies are not meant to process fruits and vegetables. If a snake consumed fruits, vegetables, and even plants, this is purely accidental (probably a leaf of some sort got stuck to their prey while consuming it).
Do ball pythons like to be held?
Yes, ball pythons like to be held and pet, primarily based on the average amount of human contact they receive. Traditionally, snakes are fearful of humans, which means that ball pythons don't like being held. However, the same concept does not apply to captivity because the snake gets socialized differently.
Will my ball python starve itself?
While adult ball pythons can fast for many months without starving, young ball pythons lack the fat reserves to last as long as their mature counterparts. They can still survive for longer than a human, dog or cat could without eating, but they will not last as long as adult ball pythons will.
How do I know if my 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 do ball pythons need in their cage?
Ball pythons do best in a habitat that is large enough to accommodate them, which will start around 20 gallons and increase as they grow up and get bigger. Ball pythons need many places to hide and to climb to be truly happy, as well as a terrarium that gives them proper humidity, heat, and light.
Can I feed my ball python crickets?
Boas and pythons will not eat crickets or eggs. They are carnivorous animals and should be consuming appropriate-sized rodents for proper nutrition. That is the basic fact of owning one of these types of snakes.
What do snakes like to play with?
Snakes don't enjoy many toys, but they do like having a long object, like a stick or branch, to wrap themselves around. If your snake seems uncomfortable or strikes out at you during playtime, give it some space or put it back into its cage.
Can ball pythons have snacks?
Smaller and younger snakes may eat large crickets, but should ideally be eating pinkies and fuzzies until they grow larger. Adult ball pythons will eat adult mice and rats when they get big enough.
How often should I feed my ball python?
How Often Should You Feed Your Ball Python? Your 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.
What do Python snakes eat?
Ball pythons, like other snakes, eat varying sizes of prey depending on how big they are. Smaller and younger snakes may eat large crickets, but should ideally be eating pinkies and fuzzies until they grow larger. Adult ball pythons will eat adult mice and rats when they get big enough. Some ball python enthusiasts feel strongly ...
Why can't my snake eat?
Aside from major medical conditions, snakes can refuse to eat for a multitude of reasons. Being too cold is a common problem for many pet ball pythons, especially in the winter months, but is easily corrected by providing a heat light. Intestinal parasites can cause your snake not to feel well or not gain weight.
Why won't my ball python eat?
Stress is an often overlooked reason why snakes won't eat. New enclosures, other snakes in the enclosure, or too much handling can cause your ball python to get stressed out and not want to eat. Differences in prey will also cause a picky snake to stop eating.
How to get rid of snakes in front of ball?
Using long tongs, hemostats, or feeding forceps to dangle and wiggle the food in front of your snake can also be helpful, especially if your ball prefers eating live prey. Soaking the pre-killed prey in some warmed low or no-sodium chicken broth can help add an attractive scent to the food as well.
Why is my snake not feeling well?
Intestinal parasites can cause your snake not to feel well or not gain weight. An annual fecal examination is recommended to screen your snake for a heavy burden of pinworms, coccidia, or other intestinal parasites that may need to be treated with dewormers. 2.
Do Pythons eat mice?
Adult ball pythons will eat adult mice and rats when they get big enough. Some ball python enthusiasts feel strongly that you should only feed various life stages of rats throughout your ball python's life and never offer any insects or mice.
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 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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
Ball Python Feed Chart
Having a feeding chart is one of the best tools you can have when it comes to feeding your ball python. The chart will help you see how much your snake needs to eat by his size, age, and more.
What Do Ball Pythons Eat?
Wild ball pythons mainly eat rodents; however, they may also eat birds or lizards. However, in captivity, most pet parents feed their snakes rodents, such as mice or rats.
Size of Prey for Your Ball Python
Next, you’ll need to determine the size of prey that’s appropriate for your ball python. Here, it’s important to ensure your snake has enough to eat. It is possible to feed more than one prey item at a time or even feed your snake more often. You’ll need to experiment to find what works best for your snake and your schedule.
Live or Frozen-Thawed Prey?
You know, in the wild, snakes will eat live prey. However, this isn’t necessary for snakes that are captive. These snakes usually have learned to accept frozen-thawed rodents rather than live prey. Experts tend to recommend frozen-thawed rodents for the following reasons:
How to Prepare Frozen Prey for Your Ball Python
When using frozen-thawed rodents, then it’s best to thaw it out in the fridge the night before you’ll feed it to your pet snake. This way, the prey can slowly thaw in a temperature-controlled environment. This will keep bacteria from growing.
Overfeeding Your Ball Python
Sometimes it’s difficult to tell whether or not your pet snake is overweight. This is because they’re heavy-looking. However, here are some ways to see if your snake’s overweight or not:
Risks
Diet
- Ball pythons, like other snakes, eat varying sizes of prey depending on how big they are. Smaller and younger snakes may eat large crickets, but should ideally be eating pinkies and fuzzies until they grow larger. Adult ball pythons will eat adult mice and rats when they get big enough. Some ball python enthusiasts feel strongly that you should onl...
Health
- Aside from major medical conditions, snakes can refuse to eat for a multitude of reasons. Being too cold is a common problem for many pet ball pythons, especially in the winter months, but is easily corrected by providing a heat light.
Symptoms
- If your ball python is about to shed, then it won't be eating until it is all done getting rid of the old skin. Signs your snake is about to shed include an ashy appearance to their skin and milky eyes.
Causes
- Stress is an often overlooked reason why snakes won't eat. New enclosures, other snakes in the enclosure, or too much handling can cause your ball python to get stressed out and not want to eat.
Prevention
- If you've already explored the reasons for why your ball python isn't eating (and make any possible changes including the kind of prey offered or increased the temperature in the enclosure), there are some things you can do to get your snake to eat. But make sure you are feeding your snake in a feeding container (separate from his regular enclosure) and are covering that container with a …
Preparation
- If your ball still doesn't eat, try cutting the pre-killed prey open to expose the blood and entice your snake with the scent. Using long tongs, hemostats, or feeding forceps to dangle and wiggle the food in front of your snake can also be helpful, especially if your ball prefers eating live prey. Soaking the pre-killed prey in some warmed low or no sodium chicken broth can help add an attr…
Treatment
- If you've tried all of the above tricks and your ball python still won't eat, get him checked out by an exotics vet. Your vet may recommend force feeding depending on how old the snake is, what his body condition score is, and how long it has gone without eating. Force feeding is simple, but you must be careful to avoid injuring your snake's fangs.