Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought some more pinkies for my bp, but when i got home, i noticed that most of them were really small, like no longer than a quarter. So im not sure what to do, should i feed it one and then another a few days later, or should i wait untill it "unloads" the first one before i feed it the next. Is it even possible to overfeed a bp or does it know when it has enough?? Basically, im wondering if there are any loose rules that regulate the extent of feeding bp's.

Thanks for any help!!

Feeding a few prey items during one sitting is just fine.
Your ball will typically stop feeding when they don't want
anymore. Some people like to feed their animals a smaller
meal, but on a regular (weekly) basis. Others may feed their
ball 2 rats in one sitting, only to find that they refuse to
eat the following week (take a week off).

Since balls can stop feeding at any time, I'm of the opinion
that when they are in the feeding mood, I let them eat plenty.

Good luck!
ChrisS - SanJose

hatchling BP's can EASILY take weaned and adult mice no problem. Try feeding weaned or adult mice, or rat fuzzies/hoppers. Also feed around once every 5-7 days.
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I do believe that you should be feeding larger food items. The usual size of a prey item should be around the same size around as the largest part of your snake.

I don't think I've ever seen a hatchling ball eat an adult mouse. I've seen them eat small hoppers but definitly not adult mice.

Luke

I agree with what was already said...I just wanted to add something. I think when you hear about people "overfeeding" their BP's...it is in reference to the size of the prey item. A couple of pinkies is not going to hurt at all, but sometimes people feed prey that is really too big. Your ball should not look like it swallowed a tennis ball after eating, but a noticable lump is ok. Balls will often strike at prey and constrict prey that is too big for them to swallow although they can often manage to swallow some huge prey if they try...it just might take them some time. I don't think this is a good practice, but like the other person said, they will probably refuse food later because of such a big meal. It is really up to you although I feel that feeding more than one prey item of a "safe" size is better than feeding one item that is way to big. Just something to think about.

Pinkies are too small for any size BP. Feed prey that is equal to 1-1.5 times in width to the widest part of the snakes body. You can feed more than one prey item in a feeding - it's actually better to do that rather than to feed a single large item. Feed every 5-7 days for youngsters and evry 7-10 days for adults. I currenty feed my BP 2-3 adult mice at a feeding (every 7 days)- I've got a surplus of adult mice to get rid of before moving up in size.
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"Kira"

i really hate pet shops for misleading me!! (i'm just waiting for The Ball Python Manual to get here from Amazon so i can learn from people who know what they are doing!) But what should i ask for at the pet shop? Do most pet shops carry prekilled or frozen mice? Basically i just want to know what to ask for.

Thanks for all the help!!

How wide is the widest part of your bp? As wide as a toilet paper or paper towel roll? soda can? Give us an idea of how thick your snake is and we might be better able to give you an idea of what size you need. Most petstores carry live, but some sell frozen/thawed. Get your BP on frozen/thawed as soon as possible.

How old and how long is your snake?
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0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa
"Arwen"

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"Kira"

my bp is about 15" long and the widest part is about 3/4 of the width of a toilet paper roll. Its not very old, i've only had it for almost a month. I have been feeding him frozen with no problem, he goes right for it. So i guess if the pet store only has live mice i should kill it first right?

Good thing he takes frozen for you. You can order frozen online in bulk or try local reptile shows. You might find other petstores that sell frozen - just give them a call. If you start feeding live or prekilled you might run the risk of him starting to refuse frozen.

I think I'd feed him an adult mouse at the minimum - probably larger (or feed multiple mice). There should be a lump (not a tennis ball, LOL) after he eats.
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1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa
"Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa
"Arwen"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

thanks for all replys~~!!! you've been really helpfull since i first started posting. Do you know what the better places to buy online are?? I live in canada if that makes n e difference.