
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.
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.
What should I feed my ball python in?
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.
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.
When should I feed my new ball python?
First Feeding. Five to seven days after you get the snake home, regardless of if you are able to handle it or not, you need to feed it. I like to give it the same thing it has been eating before I brought the animal home because I find it to be much less of a hassle.
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 I feed my ball python 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.
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).
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 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.
What can I feed my snake instead of mice?
While rats are a popular food source for some snakes, snakes will eat what's available to them.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 I hold my snake after it eats?
As a rule of thumb, wait 24 to 72 hours after your snake has fed before holding him.
How do you bond with a snake?
0:457:34HOW TO BOND WITH YOUR SNAKE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAround you the first thing you're gonna do is to leave it completely alone when you move a snakeMoreAround you the first thing you're gonna do is to leave it completely alone when you move a snake from one home to another it needs to de-stress. And it needs to get used to it new surroundings.
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 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 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 To Feed a Ball Python
Unlike other exotic reptile pets like lizards or turtles where there is a wide variety of food options, snakes keep things pretty simple. The vast majority of snakes are carnivores whose diets primarily consist of rodents. However, snake owners will still need to make several important decisions such as:
How To Feed a Ball Python
Ball pythons are sweet and agreeable pets but they can be somewhat finicky in the eating department. The act of actually getting them to eat can sometimes be a task within itself. Fortunately, there are a few tips that can make feeding time much easier.
When (and How Often) To Feed a Ball Python
As for the precise time or day to feed a ball python, do so when they are most active. This species of snake is either nocturnal (active at night) or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). Feeding them during their natural cycle is the best way to catch them at a time when they would normally feel hunger.
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 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 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 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.
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 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.
