Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey so about 2 weeks ago my young(about 6 months old) ball got out, couldnt find him for a week(sunday night i found him in the closet...figures) anyways he hadnt eaten the week before he got out either so i fed him monday night, and then just out of curiosity i tried to feed him tuesday night, he ate again, and today he was cruising around his cage so i took him out like i usually do and was very active so i figured i would try feeding him, he ate 2 hoppers this time.

So is 4 hoppers(10-13g down here) bad for him, or is feeding him 3 or 4 nights bad either?
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1.1.1 Timor Monitors(Varanus Timorensis)
1.1 Tremper Albino Leopard Geckos

I wouldn't continue doing it daily like that, but she should be okay. I have some kingsnakes that would eat like that constantly if I let them. To my knowledge, the "power feeding" debate still rages, but I have not seen documentation of it being bad, just opinions. One thing to consider, though, is that if she hadn't eaten in awhile, and if she was too cold while she was out, a lot of food and environmental changes all at once could cause regurgitation or digestive problems.

Hope this helps,
nate.

Power feeding is not healthy nomatter what snake species it involves. Over feeding can occur to any Naja species (cobra's) so why would it be difficult to over feed a Ball? People will find out in time, just like they did with every other snake species being bred on a large scale, OVER FEEDING IS NOT HEALTHY, it may get you to produce quicker, but long term production is out of the question.

This is a fact that we will have to wait & see I guess.
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Chad Bachman

What's done is done, but next time, you really shouldn't feed him that close together. I know you were concered because he was out and missed his scheduled feeding, but next time feed him one meal of either a larger item (not too large tho) or offer him two items. Then wait another 5-7 day before feeding him again. If you see him out "hunting" regularly after the 3rd or 4th day you may want to bump up the size of the food you're offering.
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Tosha

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