Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I think I made a mistake and gave my BP too large a food item.
I gave him a rat and it did not look bigger around than he is but it was very long. He swallowed it Sun and still has a huge bulge and his middle lookes a bit stretched out (you can see the skin between the scales) When I went to compare the rat to him by looking at them together he just grabbed it. I did not want to rip it from him and thought maybe it was ok but now I am thinking it was too big. I am really worried about it and I hope it won't hurt him. Is there anything I should do? I was trying to up the size of the prey because he always acts like he is ravenous and slams the food the second I start putting it in the cage so I thought maybe I was not feeding him large enough prey items. I feed every 7 days.

If the BP ate it with no real problem then just leave it alone to digest for a few days. they are capable of taking prey 3 or 4 times the size of their head so I wouldn't be too concerned.

Leave him alone, He should be fine. Thanks David
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1.0 Pied(04)
1.0 Albino(04)
0.1 Spider(04)
3.2 Pastels(03's)(04's)
0.1 Yellow belly(unproven)(04)
1.3 Yellow belly(unproven)(02,03,04's)
2.0 100% HET CLOWN(04's)
3.3 100% het albinos(03's)
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2.0 100% het pieds(03's)
0.2 100% het pieds(03's)(04's)
1.2 Poss het pieds(03's)
2.1 Poss het pieds(00's)(01's) hoping to get PIEDS this year
25 Normal adult females
60 04 females
15 normal mixed 03's
20 Assorted weird ball pythons 04's

lol, while comparing the size of the bp and the rodent, it just ook it. I love that. Good to know there are some other people with extremely great feeding ball pythons. I am currently feeding my snakes "the next size up" and for some this means a big bulge. Just make note of the larger meal and wait longer before the next feeding.

If he got it down and it's staying down, then your most likely ok. Make sure he's got some good belly heat to help him digest it and leave him be. On another note, you are lucky to have a snake with good eating instincts!
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Tosha

1.1.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy)
0.1.0 Siberian Husky (Kita)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
5.4.2 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

We feed and suggest that you feed it a smaller meal but more frequently. Maybe every 4-5 days a small rat instead of a larger rat every 7 days. Easier on the stomach and to digest, keeps them hungry for next meal. Sometimes a big meal will upset their stomachs and they may wait for 2-3 weeks before wanting next meal. Good luck!

GOD Bless
Andre