Feeding your Ball Python
As our ability to understand this species expands, the more we discover there are less and less topics that can be covered by a general statement. One of these such topics is feeding ball pythons. There are many opinions on which way is the best way of feeding, and you iwll find some varying answers. Here is my technique, which may or may not be the best option for you. This guide was designed for healthy, average sized animals. If your snake is underweight or dwarfed, please consult a vet for the best course of action because there are dangers associated with feeding an underweight/size animal too much or too frequently.
Also, I don’t really have any hard science or published articles to back this with. The way I came up with this was from taking the most common standard sizes and feeding frequencies and adjusting them based on my observations and experiences. My snakes are all given opportunities to be active and are (mostly) breeding animals, so I feed them accordingly.
I will be discussing my feeding sizes using weights instead of sizes because few feeder breeders use the same chart to measure their feeders. You will need a scale to measure your snake (which you should have anyway haha). To find out the r.at sizes, you should be able to ask to weigh the r.ats before purchasing. If you are buying prepackaged r.ats, it should be labelled for you.
Industry Recommended feeding:
The most commonly recommended feeding schedule for feeding ball pythons is as follows:
Also, I don’t really have any hard science or published articles to back this with. The way I came up with this was from taking the most common standard sizes and feeding frequencies and adjusting them based on my observations and experiences. My snakes are all given opportunities to be active and are (mostly) breeding animals, so I feed them accordingly.
I will be discussing my feeding sizes using weights instead of sizes because few feeder breeders use the same chart to measure their feeders. You will need a scale to measure your snake (which you should have anyway haha). To find out the r.at sizes, you should be able to ask to weigh the r.ats before purchasing. If you are buying prepackaged r.ats, it should be labelled for you.
Industry Recommended feeding:
The most commonly recommended feeding schedule for feeding ball pythons is as follows:
I have found this schedule is not ideal for all circumstances. It creates more opportunity for the animal to become overweight, but it also seems they more frequently go off feed.
These numbers are based on my records comparing the snakes’ weights to prey weight:
These numbers are based on my records comparing the snakes’ weights to prey weight:
Legend:
x% of body weight: After weighing your snake, determine the percentage of the weight and choose a prey item equal to that percentage.
Girth size: the widest part of your snake. For example, 1.5x girth size means the widest part of your snake multiplied by 1.5
Varied: if this is in a column it means the prey I give my snakes will be mostly in the range I’ve stated, however, I will, on occasion, give somewhat bigger prey and significantly smaller prey throughout the year. This is not frequent or too extreme. Sometimes I will vary prey size between .5x and 2x the girth size of my snake.
With my feeding chart, I find my ball pythons are incredibly less likely to go off feed. In fact, apparently very few of them have missed meals in the last 6 months, outside of being in shed.
Again, this may or may not work for your specific animals. I encourage you to pay close attention to their behavior to determine whether or not you will need to increase prey size or feeding frequency.
Assuming your husbandry is correct, concerning behaviors include:
-Surfing: if your snake is fixed on pressing their nose up to the glass, front of the tub, or the lid of the enclosure, and travelling (pacing)back and forth on the same area it is likely your snake is searching for food. This is not a positive exploratory behavior and should be corrected. Increase either prey size or feeding frequency. Surfing can cause the skin on a snake’s head to be rubbed raw and thusly forms a scab.
-Regurgitation: Often can be associated with illness, low of temperatures, or bad quality feeders, however, it can also be a sign of having been fed prey that is too large.
-Eating prey sideways or backwards: Indicates the prey is too small.
I know it isn’t very cut and dry, but I do home this guide helps you to develop your own feeding technique that is best for your snake.
x% of body weight: After weighing your snake, determine the percentage of the weight and choose a prey item equal to that percentage.
Girth size: the widest part of your snake. For example, 1.5x girth size means the widest part of your snake multiplied by 1.5
Varied: if this is in a column it means the prey I give my snakes will be mostly in the range I’ve stated, however, I will, on occasion, give somewhat bigger prey and significantly smaller prey throughout the year. This is not frequent or too extreme. Sometimes I will vary prey size between .5x and 2x the girth size of my snake.
With my feeding chart, I find my ball pythons are incredibly less likely to go off feed. In fact, apparently very few of them have missed meals in the last 6 months, outside of being in shed.
Again, this may or may not work for your specific animals. I encourage you to pay close attention to their behavior to determine whether or not you will need to increase prey size or feeding frequency.
Assuming your husbandry is correct, concerning behaviors include:
-Surfing: if your snake is fixed on pressing their nose up to the glass, front of the tub, or the lid of the enclosure, and travelling (pacing)back and forth on the same area it is likely your snake is searching for food. This is not a positive exploratory behavior and should be corrected. Increase either prey size or feeding frequency. Surfing can cause the skin on a snake’s head to be rubbed raw and thusly forms a scab.
-Regurgitation: Often can be associated with illness, low of temperatures, or bad quality feeders, however, it can also be a sign of having been fed prey that is too large.
-Eating prey sideways or backwards: Indicates the prey is too small.
I know it isn’t very cut and dry, but I do home this guide helps you to develop your own feeding technique that is best for your snake.