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?
The Best way to feed Ball Pythons in 6 steps
- Get out a frozen prey item (mouse, rat, soft-furred rat or other) in the morning. ...
- Leave the prey item to defrost until 8 or 9PM, or until you see your snake waiting with its head poking out of its hiding place. ...
- Put the prey item in a ziplock bag and put it in warm water to warm up for ten minutes. ...
What's the best time of day to feed a ball python?
Key points from this article:
- In many cases, the best time of day to feed a ball python is after sunset.
- These snakes are nocturnal and crepuscular in the wild, so they tend to have a better feeding response at night.
- But every snake-keeping scenario is different. So might have to do some trial and error.
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?
What Supplies Are Needed To Care For A Ball Python?
- Appropriately sized front opening reptile tank like the Exo Terra tank with a mesh to secure the top. ...
- 22″ T5 HO D3 6% Forest UVB bulb.
- 90 to 100w halogen flood heat lights or emitters.Including a ceramic heat emitter, heat pad, heat mat or heat tape are also other options to maintain the heat inside the ...
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How much should I feed my ball python?
How 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.
What do you feed a full grown ball python?
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.
When should I feed my ball python bigger mice?
0:099:14What Size Rodent Should you Feed your Snake? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe food or in other other words it's like one and a quarter times the width of the snake.MoreThe food or in other other words it's like one and a quarter times the width of the snake.
What size food should I feed my snake?
Most snakes should be fed a size of prey that is about the same size around as the snake's body at its widest point.
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 often should a 3 year old ball python eat?
Ball Python Feeding ChartSnake AgeSnake WeightFrequency1 year500 – 900 gEvery 10 – 14 days1.5 years700 – 1500 gEvery 10 – 14 days3 years1200 – 1800 gEvery 14 – 21 days5 years+1800 – 2300 gEvery 21 – 50 days3 more rows
Will a snake try to eat something too big?
Apparently, among snake researchers, it's well known that snakes sometimes die trying to eat things that are too big for them. It happens most often to juvenile snakes.
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 ball python besides rodents?
What else can you feed a Ball python besides mice?Rats.Mice.Chicks.Hamster.Gerbil.Quail.Multimammate mice.Guinea pigs.
Can I feed my ball python 2 mice?
5:356:53Can You Feed Snakes more than 1 Mouse / Rat at a Time? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou really don't have total control it is up to your snake. They kind of own you when it comes toMoreYou really don't have total control it is up to your snake. They kind of own you when it comes to what they will and won't eat.
How many pinky mice should I feed my ball python?
Adult ball pythons should be fed 2-5 adult feeder mice every two weeks. Hatchlings or small ball pythons should be fed 1-4 pinkies every 5 to 7 days, while juvenile snakes (less than 1-year-old) should be offered one adult mouse per week.
What Should I feed My 3 month old ball python?
For example, for a juvenile ball python, you can get a bag of frozen adult mice like this. 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.
Should you feed ball pythons in their cage?
However feeding in the enclosure is not something that should ever be encouraged. You will have a much milder tempered and more predictable snake if you pick a feeding container and stick with it so that your snake only expects food when it is in that particular place.
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.
What should I feed my 6 month old ball python?
Some say to feed hatchling Royals two or three times a week with a pinky mouse or rat. I find that I little excessive. As hatchlings, I feed every five to seven days for a good six or seven months. And I feed rat pups or fuzzy mice (these are slightly bigger that the mice pinkies).
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.
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.
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 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).
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.
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 Python snakes eat?
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. The size of the prey you feed your ball python mainly depends on a couple of things.
How to feed a live snake?
When feeding a live rodent, open the tank’s lid and drop it gently inside and let your snake do the rest. But make sure you don’t risk a bite from your snake, so don’t wave your hands in front of it. If you do, it might strike your hand first.
How to feed a thawed rodent to a snake?
If you’re feeding a thawed rodent to your snake, then you’ll want to place it inside with a pair of long tongs. Here’s how to feed frozen mice. Place the head directly in your snake’s line of sight. Ensure enough room between the pair of tongs and the rodent so that the snake has sufficient space to bite the prey.
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 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.
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…
How often should I feed a ball Python?
How Often Do I Feed My Ball Python. A ball python, once it reaches adulthood, will eat approximately every 10 to 14 days, and you should also maintain a regular feeding schedule. When the snake is still young, it should be fed more often, approximately every five to six days, but once a week.
Why are pinkies the smallest feeder mice?
Pinkies are the youngest and smallest of the feeder mice, getting their name because they have no fur and appear pink. They are no older than five days old.
How to get a snake to sit still?
If you are having trouble getting the snake to sit still or can’t maneuver the tape measure, there is a simple solution. Take a piece of string and fit it around the snake’s body. Then measure the string without having to have the snake hold still.
How big should a rat be?
A rat should be no larger than the size of the largest part of your snake’s body diameter . Smaller, young rats are usually about the equivalent in size to older, larger mice, so once your snake is large enough to eat those, introduce rats.
Can a snake eat a ball Python?
Anything larger and the snake will not eat it or could become injured, choke, or die. Feeding your ball python does not need to be a difficult task, and the availability of mice, live or frozen, makes their dinner easily accessible for you. Keep reading for more information on feeding your ball python the right size mouse.
Can a snake choke if it is too big?
You might also have issues with choking if the too large rodent gets stuck in the mouth or esophagus. It is better to feed the snake too small of rodent than too large. Keep in mind, if the feeder is too small, the snake might not get the proper nutrition and might need to be fed more often.
Can snakes eat mice?
Introducing prey any larger than the diameter of the body can cause problems for your snake and you. The snake might not even attempt to eat the large mouse, but if it does, it can result in regurgitation, which is painful for the snake.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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:
