Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a ball python that is approx 2ft. he was rescued from the humane society and was given to me. I have had no luck feeding him frozen, (rats or mice). He will however eat live mice. I think that he is big enough that he should be eating rats but am afraid that I live rat may do some damage to him. Does anybody have any advice how I can feed him live rats without endagering him. Or should I just continue to feed him mice once a week. any advice would be appreciated. Also would a mouse a week be enough for him.

trying offering him a freshly killed rat. Sometimes they will take those with no problem. If that works you may be able to slowly move towards f/t. If not and you stick with mice Id offer at least 2.

ep
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Occupants not paying rent:
1.1. balls
1.1 corns
1 everglades rat
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
2.1 cats

Feash killed. take the mouse/rat and right before you feed give it a good wack. brutal i know.
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Thank you,
Dave

Feeding him mice is fine - however the bigger he grows the more mice you will have to feed him. It would be easier to feed him one rat per feeding as opposed to 6 mice which is what he's likely take once he reaches adulthood.

First try switching him to rats - buy him a little one wean size - they can't do any real damage. If he takes it without problems, the following week get a slightly bigger one - and work your way up to appropriate size.

Once you've got him established on rats you can start feeding him live off of hemostats - once he gets used to taking the food from the hemostats you can try fresh killed from hemostats and then onto f/t (make sur eyou warm it to about 98*.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

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