How Often Should Ball Pythons Eat?

ball pythons for sale are one of the most popular pet snakes in the world. They are docile, easy to handle, and come in a variety of stunning colors and patterns. However, like any other pet, they require proper care and attention to thrive and live a long and healthy life.

One of the most important aspects of ball pythons for sale care is feeding. Feeding your ball python properly will ensure its growth, health, and well-being. But how often should you feed your ball python? What kind of prey should you offer? How should you prepare and present the food? And how do you deal with feeding issues?

In this article, we will answer all these questions and more. We will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to feed your ball pythons for sale, based on the best practices and expert advice. We will also include a handy feeding chart based on your snake’s

Key Takeaways

• ball pythons for sale are carnivorous reptiles that eat mostly rodents in the wild.
• The frequency of feeding depends on several factors, such as the age, size, weight, activity level, and health status of the snake.
• A general guideline for feeding is: hatchlings (every 5-7 days), juveniles (every 7-10 days), adults (every 10-14 days), and seniors (every 14-21 days).
• The prey item should be no larger than, but close to, the size of the snake’s body at mid-length.
• The best option for captive ball pythons for sale is commercially available frozen-thawed rodents, such as mice or rats.
• Frozen-thawed rodents should be properly thawed and warmed up before feeding them to your snake.
• The rodent should be presented to your snake using tongs or forceps in a separate enclosure or tub.
• banana pied ball python for sale are notorious for being picky eaters and may refuse food for various reasons.
• Some tips to overcome feeding refusal are: changing the prey type, size, or color, offering live or pre-killed rodents, scenting the prey with another animal, feeding at night, reducing disturbance, etc.
• If your ball python does not eat for more than two months or shows signs of illness or injury, consult a vet.

How Often to Feed Ball Pythons

One of the most common questions that ball pythons for sale owners have is how often to feed their snakes. The answer is not straightforward, as it depends on several factors, such as the age, size, weight, activity level, and health status of the snake.

However, there is a general guideline that you can follow based on the age groups of your snake. Here is a table that shows how often to feed ball pythons for sale according to their age:

Age Group	Feeding Frequency
Hatchlings	Every 5-7 days
Juveniles	Every 7-10 days
Adults	Every 10-14 days
Seniors	Every 14-21 days

These are only recommendations and not strict rules. Each snake is different and may have different feeding needs. You should monitor your snake’s body condition and behavior to determine if you are feeding too much or too little.

Some signs of overfeeding are obesity, regurgitation, difficulty shedding, respiratory infections, etc. Some signs of underfeeding are weight loss, lethargy, stunted growth, low immunity, etc.

You can use a digital scale to weigh your snake regularly and keep track of its growth. You can also use a body condition score chart to assess if your snake is too thin, too fat, or just right.

What Kind of Prey to Offer Ball Pythons

ball pythons for sale are obligate carnivores that eat mostly rodents in the wild. In captivity, they should be fed rodents that are similar to what they would eat in their natural habitat.

The most common types of rodents that are suitable for ball pythons for sale are mice and rats. However, you can also offer other types of rodents occasionally, such as gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc.

You can also offer birds as an alternative source of protein for your snake. Some examples of birds that you can feed your banana pied ball python for sale are chicks, quail chicks, sparrows, etc.

The main thing to consider when choosing the type of prey for your snake is the size. The prey item should be no larger than, but close to, the size of the snake’s body at mid-length. This will ensure that your snake gets enough nutrition without choking or regurgitating its meal.

Here is a table that shows the approximate weight and size of different rodents and how they match with different ball python sizes:

Rodent Type	Weight	Size	Ball Python Size
Mouse (pinkie)	1-2 g	0.5-1 inch	Hatchling
Mouse (fuzzy)	3-6 g	1-1.5 inches	Hatchling
Mouse (hopper)	7-12 g	1.5-2 inches	Juvenile
Mouse (adult)	13-25 g	2-3 inches	Juvenile
Rat (pinkie)	5-8 g	1-1.5 inches	Juvenile
Rat (fuzzy)	9-19 g	1.5-2.5 inches	Juvenile
Rat (pup)	20-29 g	2.5-3.5 inches	Adult
Rat (weanling)	30-49 g	3.5-4.5 inches	Adult
Rat (small)	50-89 g	4.5-6 inches	Adult
Rat (medium)	90-174 g	6-8 inches	Adult
Rat (large)	175-274 g	8-10 inches	Adult

 

How to Prepare and Present the Food

Once you have chosen the type and size of the prey for your banana pied ball python for sale, you need to prepare and present it properly. This will ensure that your snake accepts the food and eats it without any issues.

The best option for captive ball pythons for sale is commercially available frozen-thawed rodents, such as mice or rats. Frozen-thawed rodents have many advantages over live or pre-killed rodents, such as:

• Safety: Frozen-thawed rodents are less likely to injure your snake by biting or scratching it. Live rodents can also carry parasites or diseases that can harm your snake.
• Convenience: Frozen-thawed rodents are easy to store and transport. You can buy them in bulk and keep them in your freezer for a long time. You don’t have to worry about feeding or caring for live rodents.
• Availability: Frozen-thawed rodents are widely available in pet stores, online shops, or reptile shows. You can find them in different sizes and types to suit your snake’s preferences.
• Variety: Frozen-thawed rodents offer more variety than live rodents, which are usually limited to mice or rats. You can offer different kinds of rodents occasionally, such as gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc.
• Hygiene: Frozen-thawed rodents are cleaner and more sanitary than live or pre-killed rodents. They are less likely to contaminate your snake’s enclosure or cause odors.

However, frozen-thawed rodents require some preparation before feeding them to your snake. You need to thaw and warm them up properly to make them more appealing and digestible for your snake.

Here are the steps to follow when preparing frozen-thawed rodents for your ball python:

1. Take out the frozen rodent from the freezer and place it in a plastic bag. Seal the bag tightly and put it in the fridge overnight to thaw slowly.
2. Take out the thawed rodent from the fridge and place it in another plastic bag. Seal the bag tightly and put it in a bowl of warm water for about 15 minutes to heat it up. Do not use hot water or a microwave, as this can damage the tissue and cause bacterial growth.
3. Check the temperature of the rodent using a thermometer or your hand. It should be around 100°F (38°C), which is close to the body temperature of a live rodent. Do not overheat the rodent, as this can make it smell bad or burst open.
4. Make the rodent smell more appealing to your snake by rubbing it with some bedding or another rodent. This will help stimulate your snake’s feeding response and make it more likely to strike at the prey.
5. Use a pair of tongs or forceps to hold the rodent by its tail or head. Wiggle it slightly in front of your snake’s face to mimic a live movement. Be careful not to touch your snake with the tongs or forceps, as this can scare or hurt it.

Once you have prepared the rodent, you need to present it to your snake in a suitable environment. It is recommended that you feed your banana pied ball python for sale in a separate enclosure or tub, rather than its usual habitat. This will prevent substrate ingestion, cage aggression, and stress for your snake.

Here are some tips on how to present the food to your ball python:

• Choose a secure and spacious enclosure or tub that is large enough for your snake to move around comfortably. Make sure it has a lid that can be locked or secured with clips.
• Provide some hiding places and cover for your snake, such as cardboard boxes, paper towels, newspaper, etc. This will make your snake feel more secure and relaxed.
• Place a water bowl in the enclosure or tub for your snake to drink from if needed.
• Transfer your snake from its regular habitat to the feeding enclosure or tub using a snake hook or your hands. Be gentle and calm when handling your snake, as stress can affect its appetite.
• Offer the rodent to your snake using the tongs or forceps as described above. If your snake strikes at the prey, let go of the tongs or forceps and let your snake coil around the prey and swallow it.
• If your snake does not strike at the prey within 15 minutes, remove the rodent from the enclosure or tub and try again later. Do not leave the rodent in the enclosure or tub for too long, as this can attract flies or ants.
• After your snake has finished eating, wait for about an hour before transferring it back to its regular habitat. This will allow your snake to digest its meal without being disturbed.

How to Deal with Feeding Issues

ball pythons for sale are notorious for being picky eaters and may refuse food for various reasons. This can be frustrating and worrying for owners, but it is not uncommon or fatal for the snake.

There are many possible causes of feeding refusal, such as:

• Stress: Stress can be caused by factors such as noise, vibration, light, temperature, humidity, handling, enclosure size, substrate, etc. Stress can affect your snake’s appetite and make it more defensive or shy.
• Illness: Illness can be caused by parasites, infections, injuries, etc. Illness can affect your snake’s appetite and make it more lethargic or weak.
• Shedding: Shedding is a natural process that occurs every few weeks or months, depending on the age and growth rate of your snake. Shedding can affect your snake’s appetite and make it more irritable or sensitive.
• Breeding season: Breeding season is usually between November and March, depending on the location and climate of your snake. Breeding season can affect your snake’s appetite and make it more restless or aggressive.
• Prey preference: Prey preference is based on the individual taste and habit of your snake. Some snakes may prefer certain types of rodents over others, or certain colors or sizes of rodents over others.

If your banana pied ball python for sale refuses food, don’t panic. There are some tips that you can try to overcome feeding refusal, such as:

• Change the prey type, size, or color: Try offering different kinds of rodents occasionally, such as gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc. Try offering different sizes or colors of rodents that may suit your snake’s preference better.
• Offer live or pre-killed rodents: Some snakes may prefer live or pre-killed rodents over frozen-thawed rodents, as they are more stimulating and realistic. However, be careful when offering live or pre-killed rodents, as they can injure your snake by biting or scratching it. Always supervise the feeding and remove the rodent if your snake does not eat it within 15 minutes.
• Scent the prey with another animal: Some snakes may respond better to prey that smells like another animal that they would eat in the wild, such as a bird or a lizard. You can scent the rodent by rubbing it with a feather or a piece of skin from another animal. You can also use a commercial scent product that mimics the smell of another animal.
• Feed at night: ball pythons for sale near me are nocturnal animals that are more active and hungry at night. Try feeding your snake in the evening or at night when it is more likely to be in hunting mode.
• Reduce disturbance: ball pythons for sale near me are shy and secretive animals that do not like to be disturbed when eating. Try feeding your snake in a quiet and dark place where there is no noise or movement. Do not handle your snake before or after feeding, as this can stress it out and cause regurgitation.

If your ball pythons for sale near me regurgitates its food, which means throwing up its meal shortly after swallowing it, do not panic. This can happen for various reasons, such as overfeeding, stress, illness, temperature change, handling, etc.

Here are some steps to follow if your ball python regurgitates its food:

1. Remove the regurgitated rodent from the enclosure or tub and dispose of it properly.
2. Check your snake for any signs of injury or infection in its mouth or esophagus. If you see any blood or pus, consult a vet immediately.
3. Check the environmental conditions of the enclosure or tub and make sure they are optimal for your snake. The temperature should be around 85°F (29°C) on the warm side and 75°F (24°C) on the cool side. The humidity should be around 50-60%.
4. Do not offer any food to your snake for at least a week to allow its digestive system to heal and recover. You can offer water to your snake to keep it hydrated.
5. After a week, offer a smaller prey item than usual to your snake and see if it accepts it. If it does, wait for another week before offering a normal-sized prey item. If it does not, wait for another week before trying again.

If your ball python has stuck shed or retained eye caps, which means that some of its old skin does not come off completely during shedding, do not panic. This can happen for various reasons, such as low humidity, dehydration, illness, injury, etc.

 

Here are some steps to follow if your ball python has stuck shed or retained eye caps:

1. Increase the humidity in the enclosure or tub by misting it with water daily or adding a humid hide or a humidity chamber. A humid hide is a box with a hole that is filled with moist substrate, such as sphagnum moss or paper towels. A humidity chamber is a plastic container with air holes that is filled with water and placed inside the enclosure or tub.
2. Soak your snake in a shallow tub of warm water for about 15 minutes every day until the stuck shed or retained eye

caps come off. Be careful not to submerge your snake’s head or nose in the water, as this can drown it. 3. Gently rub your snake’s body or head with a damp cloth or a soft toothbrush to help remove the stuck shed or retained eye caps. Do not pull or peel the skin off forcefully, as this can injure your snake. 4. If the stuck shed or retained eye caps do not come off after a few days of soaking and rubbing, consult a vet for assistance.

Feeding your ball pythons for sale near me properly is essential for its health and happiness. By following the tips and advice in this article, you can ensure that your snake gets the nutrition and care it needs.

If you want to learn more about ball python feeding, you can check out these resources:

• [Ball Python Care Sheet | PetMD]: This link provides general information on pied ball python for sale care, including feeding, shedding, and health issues.
• [Ball Python Feeding Chart, Schedule, Size, Diet Tips]: This li nk offers a detailed guide on how to feed ball pythons of different ages and sizes, as well as tips on how to avoid common feeding problems.
• [Feeding a Ball Python: What Ball Pythons Eat, How Often to Feed Them …]: This link answers some frequently asked questions about pied ball python for sale feeding, such as what kind of prey to offer, how often to feed, and how to handle picky eaters.

You can also check out some of our other articles on ball python care, such as:

• How to Set Up a ball pythons for sale near me Enclosure: This link explains how to create a suitable habitat for your ball python, including the best type of enclosure, substrate, heating, lighting, and accessories.
• Ball Python Morphs: A Complete Guide: This link showcases the amazing diversity of pied ball python for sale colors and patterns, as well as the genetics and breeding behind them.
• How to Handle a Ball Python Safely and Correctly: This link teaches you how to interact with your pied ball python for sale in a way that is comfortable and stress-free for both of you.