Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I have four balls and was wondering how much food to feed them. They range from 200-400 grams and are still feeding on rat pups. As of now we're giving them one pup every 6-8 days.

So my question is, do ball pythons need to eat a certain percentage of their body weight at each meal? All four snakes are good feeders and will eat the pup almost immediately which is leading me to believe that I'm not feeding them enough. If anyone has any "rule of thumb" or a ballpark ratio I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

>>If anyone has any "rule of thumb" or a ballpark ratio I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

A good rule of thumb: Feed them one "appropriately sized meal" every 5-7 days. Feeding more often can cause obiesity, which is as harmful to snakes as it is to people (if not more).

An "appropriately sized meal" is a prey that is as large as the snakes largest girth...make sense? Feed a rat that's as large around the waist as your snake's largest section...going smaller is ok, but don't go larger than that.

Hope it helps!
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Jeremy Conrad
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Isn't it cooler that serpent's don't walk anymore?
(Genesis 3:14)

Thanks for the info Jeremy. I had another question for you or anyone else: My girlfriend and I had hoped that we would be able to handle our '05 Balls by now (we've had them for over a month) but that is not the case. All but one of them have tried (unsuccessfully) to bite us and will get into a strike position whenever we get close. We have them in a sweaterbox rack system and every time we open one of the racks, the snake inside will ususally coil into a strike position and just seems uncomfortable in general. Is it too soon for us to be trying to handle them or are we approaching this the wrong way?

I haven't had much luck finding any info on this and would be interested in anything an experienced Ball owner would have to say! Or perhaps there's a great website/book that addresses this issue?

Thanks in advance!

1 - handle them daily (aside from right after feeding). I had one that was just a pissant! bit me once, and that was after many attempts. I was told that frequent handling will make sweet snakes (this is from a breeder who sold me several sweet snakes). I handle this snake and most of mine every day. Now, the pissy snake doesn't cuddle with me, but she's definitely warmed up to me. Just make sure you don't approach the head first...go from behind and handle gently.

2 - I haven't done this, but I've heard it...put an undershirt you've worn in with the snake. The idea is to allow it to hide in it and allow it to associate your scent with security. I think this one came from Tosha...again, haven't done it before though.

Good luck, and ask questions!
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Jeremy Conrad
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Isn't it cooler that serpent's don't walk anymore?
(Genesis 3:14)

First off, a snake that small won't give you to much of a bite. That being said, I would open the rack slowly and lower your open hand over the snake from above like making a hide for it. If it tries to escape, let it and try again later. If not, pick it up gently and bring it out. Keep it low to a table or the floor so it won't hurt itself if it escapes. If it gets antsy once you have it out enclose it in both hands, again like a hide, till it calms down. Or you can just let it crawl through your fingers till it settles down. This may need to be done several times over days till it realizes you are not a threat. If none of the above works send him to me and I'll send him back when it's settled down .

The"Snake Whisperer"

Quig

you can use garden gloves if you wanted to till you get past the taking bites out of you phase
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Misty Sprouse Ball Pythons

There are various guidlines to follow, I know of people that use the 10% rule, they will feed the snake 10% of its body weight as a meal, I do this with adults but not my babies. My adults I find if fed a 100g rat will gladly eat every week where if I give them a 200g rat they will only eat once a month. Babies I will usually feed them twice a week until they reach 500g then I can give them small rats usually weighing 50 - 60g every week. The rat pups I get are usually about 20g and my babies would usually eat those on thursday and sunday, or one mouse each feeding. Never feed anything bigger around than your snake is would be the other rule but by that rule my big girl at 2300g would be eating 500g rats and I still only give her at most a 200g rat.
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Nita Hamilton
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Ball Pythons
ballpythonworld.com

n/p