How Often To Feed Ball Python Chart
| Ball Python’s Age | Ball Python’s Weight | Amount of Prey | Feeding Frequency |
| Hatchling | 50-100 grams | 1 small mouse or pinky rat (8-12 grams) | Every 5 days |
| 3 months | 120-200 grams | 1 small mouse or fuzzy rat (13-19 grams) | Every 7 days |
| 6 months | 300-370 grams | 1 adult mouse or rat pup (20-30 grams) | Every 7-10 days |
| 1 year | 500-900 grams | 1-3 adult mice, or 1 small rat (45-80 gr ... | Every 10-14 days |
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 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.
What do ball pythons usually eat?
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.
When should I feed my ball python?
Ball pythons are happy to eat frozen-thawed prey, but snakes that have previously eaten live prey may take some time to adjust to dead prey. Ball pythons are nocturnal, so the best time for feeding is in the evening or just after you have turned out the lights.
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...•
Can ball pythons eat fruit?
Can Snakes Eat Fruits And Vegetables? Snakes are carnivorous so they rely on meat to survive. Therefore, it is unnatural for them to feed on fruits and vegetables even as a source of moisture and water.
Should you feed ball pythons cage?
0:276:45Should You Feed Your Snake in its Cage? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo go feed it if you're defeated. And as usual enclosure. Then it would associate that enclose yourMoreTo go feed it if you're defeated. And as usual enclosure. Then it would associate that enclose your opening.
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.
How Long Can ball pythons 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.
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.
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.
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.
Do ball pythons eat crickets?
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.
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.
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.
What can snakes eat besides mice?
What Else Do Snakes Eat Besides Rats?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.
Can ball pythons eat frozen mice?
Some pythons transition from live prey to frozen prey with little or no problem. Others initially refuse defrosted food and require special feeding techniques. A juvenile or adult snake won't allow itself to starve to death and will eventually eat a frozen mouse.
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 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.
Ball python feeding schedule
Although there is no standard size of prey for each age of the snake, you should always strive to feed the ball python a rodent that is as big as its body’s largest width. The rule of thumb is to slowly increase the food your python eats as it grows larger. Frozen prey is the ideal meal for your snake.
Can I handle Ball python handling before feeding?
When you bring the snake to your home for the first time, you should make sure it settles in first before you handle it. A new environment is quite stressful for the ball python. Ball pythons are generally shy and secretive pets, and exposure to a new environment can disturb them.
Ball python feeding tips
When it comes to feeding ball pythons, you must understand your pet’s unique feeding habits. Ball pythons come in several morphs, and their feeding habits can be highly individualized.
Ball python handling after feeding
After feeding your ball python, it is essential to wait 24 to 72 hours before holding him. In warm temperature, the snake may digest a small mouse in two to three days. If the ball python still exhibits a huge food bulge after the three days has lapsed, give it more time before handling.
Ball python feeding during the breeding
The breeding season may bring on a fast in female ball pythons when nearing the laying time. On the other hand, when the male pythons smell an ovulating female, they may take a fast that lasts for over six months. However, you should only assist feed the ball pythons if their fasting hiatus goes past six months.
Obesity problems in ball pythons
Just like other animals, snakes that eat too much can experience health problems.
Frequently Asked Questions on Ball Python Feeding
When you are buying a pet snake for the first time, it is crucial to ask your breeder the following questions:
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.
What are some good prey for a feeder?
Other feeder options you may want to offer include chicks, quail, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, and multimammate mice. Feeder prey is offered either live or pre-killed, but most people prefer to stay away from living prey.
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.
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).
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.
What is the Feeding Behavior of Ball Pythons
Knowing the feeding pattern of a ball python is an important aspect of taking good care of them and keeping them healthy. A well-grown python eats every 7-10 days. Baby python eats more often because of its growth rate.
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.
Feeding Tricks for Ball Python
They feed on rodents, that is why to try switching mice and rats so that you have a choice of food that you can give them.
What is the best food for a baby ball Python?
The common choice for baby ball python food is pinky mice. These are newborn mice who haven’t grown out all their fur yet. These will often meet the size requirement and are readily available through online and in-person pet retailers. Learn more about what to feed baby ball pythons.
What is the best prey for Python?
The prey items need to be either a large mouse or rat. Rats are generally considered better as they are more in line with what the python eats in the wild. Rats also come in larger sizes and are more likely to satisfy the larger ball pythons.
How long does it take for a Python baby to eat?
When you see this, wait. If your ball python doesn’t end up eating for 16 days, it’s OK. If your baby python ends up going to 10 days, it’s OK. Watch for signs of shedding and be patient. It will typically finish shedding within 48 hours. Don’t hurry along the process by bathing, spraying, or rubbing the snake.
How long can a Python ball go without eating?
This means there is no need for them to last so long without eating. If you notice your ball python stretching beyond the 17-day mark for eating, call the vet for advice. While it may just be brumation, this isn’t a norm for the ball python, and it may be an illness.
How long does it take for a ball python to bruminate?
This is an area of small debate for ball python owners. The best answer is 2-3 days beyond their normal feeding timeline. This means up to 17 days for adults and 10 days for babies. However, ball pythons can technically go into a state of brumation.
Why do Python balls shed?
You may be wondering why there’s a section on ball python shedding in an article about their diets. Shedding impacts diet in a big way. Younger ball pythons frequently shed (some as often as a week or more) as they grow faster than in adulthood.
Why is it important to keep a snake's prey small?
The important part as an owner is to make sure the prey item is appropriately-sized. Too small, and the snake won’t get enough nutrition and become malnourished. Too large, and the python may choke or regurgitate its meal.
How much should I feed my ball python?
What % of body weight should I feed my Ball Python? 1st year or until the snake reaches approximately 750g in weight: feed 10% - 15% of the snakes weight in frozen feeders every 7 days. 2nd year, when the snakes weight gaining starts to slow down: feed up to 7% of the snakes weight every 10 - 15 days. 3rd year: Feed up to 5% of the snakes weight ...
How much can a ball python eat?
On the other hand a Ball Python can eat anything from 1.25x to 1.5x the widest part of its body or in other words wide enough so that you can visually see the outline of the prey being digested through its body.
What temperature should you keep frozen prey?
Frozen prey that are immediately frozen after being killed and are kept at a minimum of -18 Celsius have a much lower chance of carrying unwanted bacteria as the cold temperatures helps prevent most but not all bacteria from growing. Conclusion.
Can snakes eat rats?
If your snakes is one of the larger species like ball pythons that will eventually graduate to eating rats make sure to try switching them on to small weanling rats while their still juveniles in order to get them adjusted to a new prey item before they grow to large. Eggs.
Can you thaw out frozen snakes?
DO NOT use a microwave to thaw out your frozen rodents as it can cause harmful bacteria to start growing inside them which can be detrimental to your snakes health! Cooking your rodent in the microwave can also take away from the nutritional value of the rodent itself. Find a ziplock bag.
Can you feed a snake live prey?
Feeding a snake live prey can cause unnecessary harm to it as most live prey still have the ability to injure your snake in some way and most snakes that are bred in captivity simply don't have the same instincts as they would in the wild leaving them more vulnerable to mishaps.
