Hi everyone. I just wanted to say I LOVE my ball python! Snuggler is the best! I love all of my colubrids but I've had him the longest and he is awesome. I've had him 2 1/2 years since he was a hatchling and he is between 40-45 inches. I just have a quick question about the size of his rats. I see tons of bp's that are absolute monsters compared to him body weight wise. He is a healthy, robust weight, but these other snakes are just a little longer and aren't obese, but are much larger than he is when it comes to body weight. I have been feeding him small rats and today I gave him a medium. I honestly didn't think he could swallow it but he got it down in five minutes. I've never power fed him and would now like to start packing some weight on him. since he was able to swallow this rat, should I continue to feed him this size rat weekly now? Thanks a bunch!
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Size of Food Items?
Replies (4)
if you want him big fast...3 rats a week one on sunday one on wendsday one on friday...rats...it works that is the feeding sceduale for my females....its good...
i would be scared to feed my BP's this much... is it safe? how long have you been doing this?
Powerfeeding is unhealthy for your ball, but as I understand it, you aren't doing that. I digress.
If your BP can take down a medium rat (which if he is as old as you say he is, he should be able to), then feed him a little larger than what you have been giving.
The mantra to go by is no rat thicker (fatter) than the thickest part of your ball python. 
Hopefully this is helpful.
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www.HeathersHerps.com
-Ohh, what a Lady-
If your snake is a male there is really no reason to "pack weight on him". The larger snakes you are seeing are probably big breeder females. One small/medium rat per week is plenty for a male BP.
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John Vandegrift
