Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Any suggestions on what the weekly/monthly intake of a 10 y/o ball python of aprox. 4 feet long should be? I don't have his weight, but he is about 3" in diameter at his widest point. Thank you.

Widj

One more question. Is it better to feed several small meals or a few large meals to the snake? Like, 12 mice a month or 3 rats? Thank you.

Widj

Rule of thumb is.......the prey item should be about the same girth as the thickest part of the snake. A little more or a little less won't harm him. As for size of prey......a few snakes are picky. Some will only take mice, therefore you'll have to feed more at a time. Most will take rats. Some are even particular as to size. My two adults(15 yrs. old) won't even give a mouse a second glance , but will eat rats from 200-300 grams in weight without hesitation. Hope this helps.

Quig

I think Quig pretty much summed it up for you!! One meal approximatly the same size around as the thickest part of your snake once a week is ideal! After they eat wait 48 hours before you handle them and you should be ok.

As for the wich is better multiple vs one ideal sized meal? There are so many people that will have so many different opinions on that from what i have found. IMO the one meal a week approach seems the best to me! Who wants to have to thaw out 4 mice a week and what snake wants to go through the trouble of off-setting his jaws that many times just to get a belly full etc, etc!!
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Mike & Wendy

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