How much to feed a ball python? Feeding chart
| Ball python age and weight | Example of rodent weight and size |
| Hatchling ball python, 70-90 grams, firs ... | Mouse hopper or pinky rat (around 7-12 g ... |
| 100-150 grams | Mouse hopper and then change to small we ... |
| 150-200 grams | Small/weaned mouse/fuzzy rat (15-20 gram ... |
| 200-250 grams | Large/adult mouse or rat pup (20-25 gram ... |
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.
How often should I Feed my ball python?
The most common reasons for a ball python’s lack of appetite include:
- Poor enclosure conditions
- Inability to recognize its food
- Breeding season
- Being stressed or sick
- The shedding process
See more
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.
What do ball pythons usually 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.
What are pythons favorite food?
If you have a ball python as a pet, here are the list of foods that these carnivorous reptiles love to eat:Rodents.Birds.Grass Mice.Black Rats.Giant Rats.Weaver Birds.Rufous-nosed Rats.Domestic Rats.More items...•
How often should I feed my ball python?
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.
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).
Can I feed my ball python fish?
While these snakes can and do consume birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles from time to time in the wild, for the most part, the majority of their prey items come from the rodent family. Boas and pythons will not eat crickets or eggs.
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.
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.
Can ball pythons eat mealworms?
Feeders: Crickets, roaches, mealworms, waxworms, superworms, or other invertebrates. They can also eat small rodents of appropriate size, but offer these sparingly, if at all.
Will a ball python starve itself to death?
In rare cases, ball pythons may fast long enough to lead to their death. This is somewhat rare among captive-bred individuals, but it is possible. So, while it will take a ball python quite a long time to starve itself, you must realize that it is within the realm of possibility.
How long do ball pythons go without eating?
An adult ball python can survive up to 6 months without eating, but such a long period can be disastrous for the health of the reptile. Let's break down how long ball pythons can and should go in between meals—and how often you should feed them for an ideal diet.
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.
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.
What animals can you feed a ball Python?
As they grow and reach different stages of their lives, the prey’s size should also change. Besides rats and mice, you could also feed the following prey to your ball python. Guinea pigs. Hamsters. Chicks. Multimammate mice.
What Do Ball Pythons Eat?
Mice! Ball pythons love mice that vary in size. Besides, they also eat other prey like large crickets, gerbils, chicks, and shrews, among other things. Ideally, it’s best if you feed mice and rats to your pet snake in the different stages of their lives.
What Makes Your Snake a Reluctant Eater?
Ball pythons are known for having long starving periods, so it’s not uncommon to pass reluctance to eat as normal behavior. But most of the time, if your pet snake isn’t, it’s a red flag. It could, for sure, mean that something is wrong. Here are some of the things that might be making your snake a reluctant eater.
How to prepare a snake for a live prey?
Once you’ve chosen a suitable prey of the appropriate size, it’s time to prepare it. If you’ve decided on feeding live prey, there isn’t much to do. You’ll only have to make sure that your snake eats it. Ensure that there aren’t any bedding issues and that the prey’s fur is clean.
How to grip a thawed snake?
Once you’ve determined the appropriate size, you’ll want to use a pair of tongs to grip the prey if you’re feeding a thawed prey. Make sure you’re using a long pair of tongs. Before presenting the prey to your snake, it’s best if you’ve warmed it. Then wave the prey in front of your snake’s face.
What happens if a snake eats too much?
If it’s too large, your snake will refuse to eat. Even if it does manage to consume large prey, it’ll probably vomit it back. Though this doesn’t often happen, feeding a large prey might cause harm to its digestive tract. Select a prey that’s 1 – 1.25 times the size of your snakes mid area diameter.
Why is my snake not eating?
Illness is usually the most common reason why your snake might not be eating. They might not want to eat if they’re having problems with passing out their last meal. These constipation issues depend on meal size, the enclosed space’s temperature, or issues in the intestines such as intestinal parasites.
What else will ball pythons eat?
Offering a variety of prey items (as well as a variety of sizes) is a good way to make sure that your BP is getting a spectrum of nutrition:
What to use to help ball Python?
So it helps to lightly dust prey items occasionally with a 50/50 mix of calcium and vitamin supplement to help fill in the gaps in your ball python’s diet. Use a calcium supplement that contains vitamin D if you are not using UVB lighting.
How do you know if a ball python is eating too much?
A prominent spine means that the snake isn’t eating enough, and an invisible spine means that the snake needs to eat less.
How to thaw a mouse before feeding?
If you are using frozen-thawed prey (recommended), thaw it out in the fridge the night before feeding day. 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. The body temperature of a mouse is similar to a human’s, so you’ll want the prey to be about 98-100°F before offering it to your snake. You can check the temperature with your temp gun.
How much should a ball python feeder weigh?
So for example, if your ball python weighs 400g, then you would buy feeders that weigh between 40-60g.
How much weight can a snake lose?
As long as your snake isn’t losing too much weight (more than 10% of body weight) and appears otherwise healthy, there’s no reason to freak out. You can monitor his/her weight with a digital kitchen scale. Weigh weekly for best results.
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 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.
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 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 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 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 to feed a ball Python?
If your ball python continues to grow and reaches above 500 grams, you’ll need to start feeding it a diet primarily consisting of small rats as mice will no longer be large enough to satisfy its nutritional needs.
What do ball Pythons eat?
We’ll also explore a few other common questions pet owners have about feeding ball pythons. Let’s get started. Ball pythons primarily eat a diet of mice and rats, although they will sometimes enjoy eating other feeder prey like chicks, hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs.
Why is it important to stay away from ball Python?
First, ball pythons swallow their prey whole, so baby ball pythons can’t physically handle eating anything wider than their midsection.
How much food should a ball Python eat?
At this point, you’ll want to offer food every seven to 10 days.
How many grams of Python do you need to feed a ball?
Ball Pythons Around 350 to 500 Grams. When your ball python grows as large as 350 to 500 gram s, it’s time to graduate it to weaned rats and jumbo mice. At this stage, you’ll most likely only need to feed it every 10 to 14 days.
How long does a ball python live off the yolk?
When a ball python hatches from its egg, it can live off the nutrients from the absorbed yolk for the first few weeks.
How long does it take for a Python baby to shed?
It’s important to let your baby ball python shed its skin (usually, this happens within the first five to seven days) before trying to feed it. Once it sheds completely, give it the first feeding.
When do ball Pythons go off for food?
The ball pythons naturally go off for food during the breeding season. Studies show that males even take 5-6 months of food off before the breeding season, especially if they see a prospect female. While the females start to have food off as soon as the breeding season starts. After they lay eggs and wanted to incubate the eggs, make sure to clean they’re immediately and change the substrate because even though you have removed the eggs from the mother if they can still smell its smell, they will still continue to fast.
How often do Python babies eat?
Knowing the feeding pattern of a ball python is an important aspect of taking good care of them and keeping them healthy. A well-gro wn python eats every 7-10 days. Baby python eats more often because of its growth rate. Ball pythons are considered, a slow-moving reptile that has ambush-style hunting tactics wherein they do not chase their prey, they’ll just wait for it to go near them that is why they often eat less. Good thing, they can go long without eating and do not fell and ill effects. They are considered binge and picky eater, but just like other animals, they are also prone to overweight and obesity.
What Do They Eat?
The ball pythons have the ability to eat prey larger than their heads because they have an elastic kind of jaw that stretches to accommodate their large prey. To avoid choking, it is still a practice to give them a fairly sized prey usually rodents. The mice and rat’s size should be at least at the same size as its midsection. Don’t set aside water when feeding them. Water does not only help to increase humidity levels, but it is also a must to keep them hydrated. They love soaking their bodies, so make sure that there are two bowls, one for soaking and one for soaking.
How to tell if a snake is fed correctly?
An indication that your snake is well fed with a correctly sized prey is it leaves a small bump into their belly and not a huge stuffed-like sausage.
Why do snakes go off for food?
When snakes are about to shed, they will go off for food. That is just because of how their body copes with the changes that they feel. If you feed them while they are shedding, their shed might be rolled into their food that may cause problems in the digestive process. After the snake sheds, expect that your snake will have a voracious appetite.
Is feeding ball Python good?
The feeding ball python is an important aspect that you need to master as a responsible owner. If you feed them correctly, not only that, they will be healthy, but you can be sure that they can be able to do their life processes in an accurate way.
Can you keep a ball python in a large tank?
Large snakes are normally placed in a large tank, but for ball pythons, even though they have quite a large physique, it is ideal for them to be kept at a medium-sized tank. If you place them in a large tank, there is a possibility that you will have a hard time feeding them, especially that they are not a hunter, so if you place their food in their cage, don’t expect that they will try to search for it. If they are placed in a medium cage, they can easily see the food and that it could be more accessible to feed on it.
Diet
Advantages
- You can feed ball pythons with a variety of prey items. Frozen mice, rats, and other rodents should be dangled near the snake. Some snakes may attack immediately; others will take their time to hunt down the prey item. In order to entice your snake to eat, you can rub the item against its skin or warm it in the microwave. You can also dip the prey ...
Toxicity
Risks
Criticism
Health
Other animals
Prevention
- If the thought of feeding whole animals to your snake makes you squeamish, a company called Reptilinks offers an alternative that contains all the nutrition your snake needs without the rodent cuteness. But they carry the risk of your ball python refusing to eat.
Safety
- 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. Some studies have revealed that commercially-bred feeder rodents are deficient in crucial nutrients like vitamin D, which in turn n…
Effects
- Its 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). A prominent spine means that the snake isnt eating enough, and an invisible spine means that the snake needs to eat less.