Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know i am most likely being overly worrysome, but i have to ask. My new (and first) purchased Aug 1st 0.0.1 05 CB Normal Ball Python hasn't deficated since the 11th of August. I read in the care sheet, linked from kingsnake, in the FAQ section that it may take as long as 4-6 weeks. Currently he is feeding great 2 f/t fuzzies every saturday for three weeks now fed on the 13th, 20th and 27th. I was pleased that he took the f/t from tongs with very little hesitation the first time and none since as it was feeding on live when i got it. He shed and deficated on Aug 11th. I am used to my corn snake who will deficate usually 2 times a week.

My next question i am ready to order a new batch of f/t feeders and i am trying to figure out the size, i have read that hatchling balls should be feed small mice (same care sheet) and fuzzy or just weaned mice (The Ball Python Manual) I use RodentPro so what size should i get for the little guy? Approx 18 inches and as thick around as a quarter at the thickest part and slightly thicker than a pencil just behind the neck. The fuzzy mice go down easily and even after two he seems to look for more for about five minutes as he cruises the feeding tub.

included picture is from just after he shed Aug 12th.

thanks

Wayne

03 0.0.1 Normal Corn - Kula
05 0.0.1 CB Normal Ball Python - Smeagol

Don't be a Nervous Nelly...

If you are worried it is backed up try a day long soak in a locking shoebox with holes with water 1/4 up the animal's side. This may help get things moving and make sure the animal is well hydrated. I think the animal is using much of its meal for growth!

Your snake sounds fine.....try increasing the size to a good sized jumper mouse that makes a noticeable swell in the animal's body...

"Defecate"...

Now say it to your mommy and if she slaps you then you said it RIGHT!

Kevin
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www.newenglandreptile.com

Wayne, first off, they don't go near as often as corns . How are your temps? Ya need 90 on the hot side and about 80 on the cool side, and does he have belly heat (under tank heat)? These things will help in his digestion. Not sure about hatchlings, but adults will often only go about once a month. As far as what size to feed, if he's as round as a quarter he shouldn't have any problem taking an adult mouse. Not an old fat one but a young one. Somethin' in the 15-20 gram range. Hope this helps.

Quig

Thanks for the replies:

Temps are 78-81 cool end and 88-91 on warm end during day
and 78-81 cool 85-88 warm. Overhead heat in glass aquarium with paper towel substrate. He does drink that i see about twice a week and has even soaked twice that i saw since he shed on the 11th, doesn't seem hydration is a problem no skin folds and has gotten some noticeable girth since i purchased him. As he just feed on the 27th when would i wait to soak him? And being a growing hatchling would it just stress him too much?

With the prey size would the adults from Rodent Pro be to big?

Adults
30 to 40 days of age. These mice have reached sexual maturity.
Length (Inches): 2.50 - 3.00*
Weight (Grams): 20.00 - 25.00
* Measurement does not include tail length

Or would the Weanlings be better?

Weanlings
21 to 25 days of age. These mice are eating and drinking on their own. They have reached the stage when it is time to be "weaned" from their mother.

Length (Inches): 2.00 - 2.50*
Weight (Grams): 13.00 - 18.00
* Measurement does not include tail length

thanks again

Wayne

0.0.1 03 Normal Corn - Kula
0.0.1 05 CB Normal Ball Python - Smeagol

That is fine, they poop on their own schedule. If he is eating 2 fuzzies a week in one meal you should be able to up the meal size to rat hoppers, or whatever they are calling the size up from fuzzy. Or I have feed my little guys small meals, fuzzy rats but I'm feed every 3 days.
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Nita Hamilton
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Ball Pythons

>>That is fine, they poop on their own schedule. If he is eating 2 fuzzies a week in one meal you should be able to up the meal size to rat hoppers, or whatever they are calling the size up from fuzzy. Or I have feed my little guys small meals, fuzzy rats but I'm feed every 3 days.
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>>Nita Hamilton
>>--------------
>>Ball Pythons

Thanks

He is currently feeding on 2 fuzzy (4.0-7.0 grams 1.25-1.5 inch) mice every saturday for three feedings in my care. I was thinking about going with either weanling (13-18 grams 1.5-2.0 inches) or adult (20-25 grams 2.5-3.0 inch) mice from RodentPro so my corn snake can eat the same prey and i don't have much loss, they come in packs of 50. Or for the same shipping i can get two different sizes and move the Ball up in size later, but then i will waste some unless i find someone to use them.

thanks again

Wayne

I feed 3 Bps and one Everglades Rat Snake. The older yearling BP and Everglades take adult mice. The two girls are different, one can take a smaller mouse and the other takes about hopper sized mice as she is smaller. So what I do is buy for the Everglades and feed the smaller ones to the BP and then buy for the two girls separate. It's not long before you'll be feeding adult mice. A thought would be to switch your snake to rats. You'll probably end up having to do it eventually. I am going to be switching all of mine who will have it over soon as well. I will start my girls on rat pinks and move them up. The Everglades is a pig and will eat anything anytime so no worries there. The oldest BP is super picky so far. He only will eat VERY fresh killed which is a vast improvement over feeding him live. I don't know if he'll ever go f/t but I will keep trying. By the time I have the rats to switch him I would guess they will be more of a weanling size.

Long and short of this rambling post, grab a rat pup and see if the BP takes it. If so you might be better off in the long run since rats can be fed much bigger than mice.

Ball pythons defecate on their own schedule so don't worry about that. As mentioned before, most of what it eats is being used to help grow. Secondly, don't get all caught up in the names of the sizes (fuzzy, hopper, adult, jumbo, etc.) If you have questions, order some different sizes. Order some of what you think you might need and then order some bigger (it's not like you won't use them later). Just go with a size that leaves a noticeable lump in it's stomach, but isn't bigger than the thickest part of your snake. The neck size of your snake means nothing because that's easily expandable. Just go with something about as thick as the thickest part of it's body. I also agree with switching to rats sooner than later because later on you'll probably need to feed it rats so you might as well start now.
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1.0 Striped Irian Jaya Carpet Python
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1.1 Leopard Gecko (Male-Albino, Female-Reduced Pattern)
Various Fish

He deficated sometime early last night, Aug 29th.

With the food issue i decided to take the advice and try rats. I will also get mice 2 sizes larger than what i am feeding now just in case either one isn't intrested in the rats.

Speaking of the rats and i know size "names" can be confusing which is why i added the supplier i use. Does length without tail and grams matter more? I am rather new and am not sure what to expect as far as rat sizes. The local shops that sell feeders don't keep track of their's too well. I tried getting an idea that way but since they don't know when they were born i was taking guesses, and some rather large ones still had their eyes closed while others quite a bit smaller had their eyes fully open. Which sound better for a Ball approx 3-4 months old?

Rat Fuzzies - 100 min order
2.0 - 2.5 inches w/o tail
9-19 grams

may be fine for now and outgrow them quickly

or
Rat Pups - 25 min order
2.5 - 3.5 inches w/o tail
20 - 29 grams

start with smallest ones and work up to the bigger ones, with these i can also get 2 bags of these and 1 bag of the next size up for the same price of 1 bag of the others.

I am looking to get something hopefully both of my snakes can use and where i won't have to throw many away.

Thanks i really appreciate the help from all who have replied.

Wayne
0.0.1 03 Normal Corn Snake - Kula
0.0.1 05 CB Normal Ball Python - Smeagol

Most of my 3-4 month olds are eating rat pups or wean rats - depending on how big the snake is - usually the garbage disposal feeders start taking off about 2-3 months along so they are up to the bigger prey. If your snake is an average eater - I would think he could easily handle rat pups.
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Tosha

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0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
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>>Most of my 3-4 month olds are eating rat pups or wean rats - depending on how big the snake is - usually the garbage disposal feeders start taking off about 2-3 months along so they are up to the bigger prey. If your snake is an average eater - I would think he could easily handle rat pups.
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>>Tosha

He/she is currently eating 2 fuzzy mice areound 8pm every saturday, i have noticed that the lumps aren't that noticable after feeding and virtually gone by monday.

I am guessing on age he is about 19 inches now, put on about an inch or so since Aug 1st. Approx as big around as a quarter. I am not looking to have him grow fast, no interest in breeding, but i am rather looking for a healthy medium between overfeeding and underfeeding.

thanks again

Wayne
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0.0.1 03 Normal Corn Snake - Kula
0.0.1 05 CB Normal Ball Python - Smeagol

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