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Question about feeding

Malarie Dec 15, 2003 05:15 PM

My ball python is about ten months old (and about 2 feet long), and I am currently feeding her an adult mouse every 7 to 10 days. The last couple times I fed her I noticed it seems like she can ingest the mouse a lot easier and quicker, and after she completely ingests the mouse I can no longer see a "bump" in her belly. Should I start feeding her a small rat? two mice at one feeding? or a mouse every 5 days or so? I want to make sure she is getting enough to eat, but I am also nervous about feeding her a rat, because I don't want her to get hurt if the rat fights back. Any advice?

Replies (2)

Sonya Dec 15, 2003 05:27 PM

>>My ball python is about ten months old (and about 2 feet long), and I am currently feeding her an adult mouse every 7 to 10 days. The last couple times I fed her I noticed it seems like she can ingest the mouse a lot easier and quicker, and after she completely ingests the mouse I can no longer see a "bump" in her belly. Should I start feeding her a small rat? two mice at one feeding? or a mouse every 5 days or so? I want to make sure she is getting enough to eat, but I am also nervous about feeding her a rat, because I don't want her to get hurt if the rat fights back. Any advice?

If she was mine I would move her up to small rats. Mice are around 35-45grams and a small rat is 50grams and up. You may have to scent the first few or you may not. Offer one and see. Some snakes don't even notice, others will refuse until you scent for them. Definitely go to prekilled or F/T with the rats.....they will do damage alive.
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Sonya

kevintat2 Dec 15, 2003 05:37 PM

I feed mine every 5 days, and i'll feed them as much as they will eat. (usally 2 adult mice) Try feeding frozen/thawed rats, if they don't take that, try knocking the rat out before you try feeding it to the snake.

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