Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is the best way to bulk up young snakes?

1. Small food items every three to four days.

Or

2. Larger food items once a week.

I've always wondered, and don't have enough animals to conduct a proper study. Thanks for any input, Quinton

I'd say smaller items more often.
-----
Greg Holland
G&M HERPS
www.gmherps.com
gmherps@sbcglobal.net

"alot" of smaller items more often! Snakes will surprise most everyone on how much they can take in. Just be careful not to go crazy if you don't know what your doing though!

In my opinion that will make them bulk up quickly.

I'm sorry for the blutness but this is simply bad, bad advice coming from someone who is undoubtedly an inexperienced keeper. Anyone who has experience in keeping ball pythons on a long term basis, and, who have a proven track record of captive breeding will tell you that power feeding this species will result in disaster. These animals have very slow metabolims who need time and energy (heat) to properly digest their food. Stuffing a ball python (at any age) will put a huge stress load on their digestive system because its not designed to eat large quantities in rapid intervals. You cannot rush the growth process and most folks do far more harm than good when over feeding their bp's. I have several who are in their 20's and 30's who have been exceptional breeders, and still are, and these animals were NEVER power fed.

I don't mean to offend anyone but someone needs to speak up for these animals!

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

Rob, I could not agree any more then that with you...

In a sick materialistic, money driven society, the higher echelon regius are unfortunately treated as a trade value where dollar sign in quest of a quick return on investment far outway the animal's welfare...

Very nice explanation.
-----
Astronomy Picture of the Day

I was just wondering. I have read so much talk on here about how people have bred this male or that male at this age or this weight. It had nothing to do with a fast return on my investment. Don't these animals live for thirty years or more? I think that is plenty of time to get a return on my investment. I have had some really good success with my balls and none of them were "power fed". It was just a question that has come up in conversation and I wanted another opinion. Thanks for all of your input, Quinton.

I may be wrong, but I took his reply as sarcasm.

But back to the "power-feeding", you may very well be right but has any controlled research been done on this topic? Just because somebody has great long term results on a moderate feeding schedule does not mean that other feeding schedules are harmful or which is optimum. Given the longevity of Ball Pythons, we may be way to early in snake breeding history to make any clear assumptions

Not trying to sharp-shoot you here. I know your a scientist so I thought you may be aware of some studies, professional or even anecdotal. Perhaps predation studies of wild specimens would be the best place to start??

thanks, Dave

You are absolutely right; there are few field studies to suggest teh actual feeding patterns of Pythono regius (other than they are cyclic feeders by nature). I can tell that based on observational evidence and in talking to many folks throughout the years who keep this species, that those who are overfed tend to live shortened lives; its really that simple. Based on what we do know with this species and their level of activity, they are not physiologically equipped to handle frequent feedings. So, YES, we have a long way to go to fully understand their natural behaviors, however, we have a lot of in situ information that we can go with and make educated guesses on what is an optimal feeding schedule.

I have had good luck feeding them what they will accept. I doubt in the wild if one came across a rat's nest it's going to take one pup and come back in a week for another. They are going to eat their fill then rest and let the meal digest. Ball pythons aren't one of the smarter snakes I have worked with but they seem to do pretty good with regulating food intake. I have never had a ball python regurgitate from over eating or become obese. I know both are possibilities so some common sense has to be used but for the most part let them eat what they want... Also with the tendency for ball pythons to go off feed sometime during the year I think it is good to take advantage when you can.

Just my opinion....

George Knaack
GLK HERP

My post was deffinitely sarcastic and I am sorry it was taken the wrong way and I am aware it is difficult to tell sarcasm from a few words in type. In my opinion I agree with both spectrums of responses Rob and George made. Power feeding is a dangerous thing that can effect long term health in snakes. And As far as a snake coming upon a nest in the wild...They would eat them all but their metabolism is evolutionarliy (real word?)set in a logical way that they will not be coming across another nest for a while. I also think that offering more than a meal a week is not the worst thing in the world because it would be more like mimicking an animal that is thriving well and would be a larger one found in the wild. Packing lots of little animals in them I see as a bit of a problem but I wont get into that in fear of being brutally bashed. My advice would be to pay attention to their pooping habbits and do not try and pack in more than you feel that wish to eat. I have one ball who poops like every 2 or 3 months since she was a hatchling so I feed her a little less eventhough she does not turn down meals. Ones that love the heat pads and poop a lot I may give a little more. I have given snakes as much as they wanted and they WILL stop accepting. I also make note of this and will make it a little longer until the next feeding. I had a ball python get out once and come across my thawing food and ate 3 adult mice and 1 day old chick I had thawing for a stuborn E. murinus. She left behind 2 adult mice. Sorry if I upset anyone.

You may have been sarcastic but I received several emails from concerned bp owners who thought you were serious and were confused by the conflicting information posted on this forum.

I am going to make a gutsy move and say this forum has gone far past what it was originally intended for. My posts in here are far different from what you would see from eunectes4 in any other forum. I admitt I am not helping the slight problem. I have mixed feelings about some things done in this hobby and I do not wish to be very vocal about them in this forum especially. I like ball pythons and I like people being able to make a good living out of it (something they love). Feeding 3 large meals a week should sound rediculous but I think chain feeding and many small meals sounds pretty bad as well. Good steady diet is my advice and I should have just said it.