Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First off, I am new to Ball Pythons. I just recieved a 16-20 inch juvenile from a friend, it can't be that old although it's exact age is a mystery. I am currently feeding him a hopper mouse 1x a week, should he be on something larger? He certainly seems thick enougth but I don't know much about pythons, when should he be moved up to adult mice, rat pups, etc.?
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Proud Owner of:
Legolas - sunburst beardie
Rosy - sandfire beardie
Miss Scarlet - red beardie
Sarah - female? blue tongue skink
Bernard - reverse oketee corn
Patrick - ball python
Punky - guinea pig (I know, I know, it's not a herp!)

Find the largest part around on it's body, it can eat 1.5 times that. ie. If it was about the size of a quarter, feed it a weaned rat if you can find them, I know our store has them but we're in VA. if its like silver dollar sized, you could go for a small rat. If you're talkin a real young one, I would probably say a fuzzie or a rat pup, If that doesnt make sense, lemmie know I'll try to take some example photos.

Cheryl
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Beach Dragons and Reptiles

Thanks a lot! I was feeding far too small. Everything I read said to feed hoppers, I assumed mice rather than rats because I would never (before reading your message) have fed a hatchling a rat, I guess thats probably just because I have only kept colubrids in the past... Thanks again!
-Drew

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Proud Owner of:
Legolas - sunburst beardie
Rosy - sandfire beardie
Miss Scarlet - red beardie
Sarah - female? blue tongue skink
Bernard - reverse oketee corn
Patrick - ball python
Punky - guinea pig (I know, I know, it's not a herp!)

Yeah, don't let that little neck fool ya.