What Do Baby Ball Pythons Eat? A Complete Guide for Owners
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 colors and patterns. However, as a ball python owner, you may have some questions about what to feed your snake, especially if it is a baby. What do baby ball pythons eat? How often should you feed them? What size of prey should you offer them? How can you make sure they eat well and stay healthy?
Key Takeaways
- Baby ball pythons are carnivorous and need animal protein to grow and thrive.
- The types of prey that baby ball pythons can eat include mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, chicks, quail, and rabbits.
- The size of the prey should match the size of the snake’s body at mid-length to avoid choking or regurgitation.
- The feeding frequency for baby ball pythons depends on their age, weight, season, and appetite. A general guideline is every 5-10 days for 0-6 months old, every 10-14 days for 6-24 months old, and every 2-3 weeks for older than 24 months old.
- Feeding a baby ball python can be challenging because they can be picky or refuse to eat for various reasons. Some tips to overcome these problems include handling them less before feeding, offering warm and fresh prey items, switching between live and frozen-thawed prey items, scenting or braining the prey items, or using a feeding box or tongs.
Types of Prey
The first thing to know about what do baby ball pythons eat is that they are carnivorous and need animal protein to grow and thrive. They cannot digest plant matter or other types of food that some other reptiles can eat. Therefore, you need to provide them with suitable prey items that meet their nutritional needs.
The different types of prey that baby ball pythons can eat are:
Mice
Mice are the most common and readily available prey item for baby ball pythons for sale. They are relatively cheap, easy to find, and come in different sizes to suit different stages of growth. Mice are also preferred by many ball pythons for sale because they are familiar and tasty to them.
However, mice also have some disadvantages as a prey item. They are lower in protein and higher in fat than rats, which can lead to obesity or nutritional deficiencies in the long term. They also have less calcium than rats, which can affect the bone health of the snake. Moreover, some ball pythons for sale may become addicted to mice and refuse to switch to rats later on.
Rats
Rats are considered the best prey item for ball pythons because they are higher in protein and lower in fat than mice. They also have more calcium than mice, which is beneficial for the snake’s bone health. Rats are one of the natural prey items of ball pythons in the wild, so they are more suitable for their diet.
However, rats also have some drawbacks as a prey item. They are more expensive, harder to find, and come in larger sizes than mice. This means that you may have to wait longer before you can feed your baby ball python rats. Some ball pythons for sale may also be reluctant to eat rats if they are used to mice.
Gerbils
Gerbils are another option for baby ball pythons that are similar to mice in terms of size and cost. They are also more nutritious than mice because they have more protein and less fat. Gerbils can be a good alternative for ball pythons for sale that are bored with mice or refuse to eat rats.
However, gerbils also have some disadvantages as a prey item. They are not as widely available as mice or rats, so you may have to order them online or from specialty stores. They also have a strong smell that some ball pythons may not like or may trigger their defensive instincts.
Hamsters
Hamsters are another option for baby ball pythons that are similar to gerbils in terms of size and nutrition. They are also more varied in color and pattern than mice or rats, which can make them more appealing to some ball pythons. Hamsters can be a good alternative for ball pythons for sale that need some variety in their diet.
However, hamsters also have some disadvantages as a prey item. They are not as widely available as mice or rats, so you may have to order them online or from specialty stores. They also have a strong smell that some ball pythons for sale may not like or may trigger their defensive instincts.
Chicks
Chicks are another option for baby ball pythons that are different from rodents in terms of shape and texture. They are also high in protein and low in fat, which is good for the snake’s health. Chicks can be a good alternative for ball pythons that are allergic to rodents or need some variety in their diet.
However, chicks also have some disadvantages as a prey item. They are not as widely available as mice or rats, so you may have to order them online or from specialty stores. They also have less calcium than rodents, which can affect the bone health of the snake. Moreover, some ball pythons for sale may not recognize chicks as food or may have trouble swallowing them.
Quail
Quail are another option for baby ball pythons that are similar to chicks in terms of shape and texture. They are also high in protein and low in fat, which is good for the snake’s health. Quail can be a good alternative for ball pythons that are allergic to rodents or need some variety in their diet.
However, quail also have some disadvantages as a prey item. They are not as widely available as mice or rats, so you may have to order them online or from specialty stores. They also have less calcium than rodents, which can affect the bone health of the snake. Moreover, some ball pythons for sale may not recognize quail as food or may have trouble swallowing them.
Rabbits
Rabbits are another option for baby ball pythons that are larger and more nutritious than rodents. They are also one of the natural prey items of ball pythons for sale in the wild, so they are more suitable for their diet. Rabbits can be a good alternative for ball pythons that are big enough to handle them.
However, rabbits also have some disadvantages as a prey item. They are more expensive, harder to find, and come in much larger sizes than rodents. This means that you may have to wait longer before you can feed your baby ball python rabbits. Some ball pythons for sale may also be reluctant to eat rabbits if they are used to rodents.
The table below summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of each type of prey for baby ball pythons for sale:
| Type of Prey | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Mice | Cheap, easy to find, come in different sizes, preferred by many ball pythons | Lower in protein and higher in fat than rats, less calcium than rats, can lead to obesity or nutritional deficiencies, can cause addiction |
| Rats | Higher in protein and lower in fat than mice, more calcium than mice, better for long-term health, natural prey item | More expensive, harder to find, come in larger sizes, may be rejected by some ball pythons |
| Gerbils | Similar to mice in size and cost, more nutritious than mice | Not as widely available as mice or rats, strong smell, may trigger defensive instincts |
| Hamsters | Similar to gerbils in size and nutrition, more varied in color and pattern | Not as widely available as mice or rats, strong smell, may trigger defensive instincts |
| Chicks | Different from rodents in shape and texture, high in protein and low in fat | Not as widely available as mice or rats, less calcium than rodents, may not be recognized as food, may be hard to swallow |
| Quail | Similar to chicks in shape and texture, high in protein and low in fat | Not as widely available as mice or rats, less calcium than rodents, may not be recognized as food, may be hard to swallow |
| Rabbits | Larger and more nutritious than rodents, natural prey item | More expensive, harder to find, come in much larger sizes, may be rejected by some ball pythons |
As you can see, each type of prey has its pros and cons for baby ball pythons. The best way to choose the right one for your snake is to consider its preferences, availability, cost, and nutritional value. You can also offer some variety by giving different prey items occasionally.
For more information on the general characteristics of reptiles1, you can check out this link: Reptile – Wikipedia.
Feeding Frequency
The next thing to know about what do baby ball pythons eat is how often they need to eat. Unlike humans or other animals that eat several times a day, snakes have a slower metabolism and can go for long periods without food. However, this does not mean that you can feed your snake whenever you want or neglect its feeding schedule.
The feeding frequency for baby ball pythons depends on several factors, such as their age, weight, season, and appetite. In general, the younger and smaller they are, the more often they need to eat because they are growing and need more energy. As they get older and bigger
Here is part 2 of the article based on the keyword “what do baby ball pythons eat”:
Prey Size
Another thing to know about what do baby ball pythons eat is the size of the prey. This is very important because if you offer a prey item that is too big or too small for your snake, you may cause serious problems such as choking, regurgitation, or malnutrition.
The size of the prey should match the size of the snake’s body at mid-length. This means that the prey item should be no bigger than the widest part of the snake’s body. This will ensure that the snake can swallow the prey easily and safely, without risking injury or discomfort.
The different sizes of mice and rats that are suitable for baby ball pythons are:
Pinkies
Pinkies are the smallest size of mice and rats. They are newborn rodents that have no fur and are pink in color. They weigh about 3-5 grams for mice and 5-10 grams for rats. They are suitable for baby ball pythons that weigh less than 100 grams.
Fuzzies
Fuzzies are the next size of mice and rats. They are young rodents that have some fur and are grayish in color. They weigh about 6-10 grams for mice and 10-20 grams for rats. They are suitable for baby ball pythons that weigh between 100 and 200 grams.
Hoppers
Hoppers are the next size of mice and rats. They are juvenile rodents that have more fur and are darker in color. They weigh about 11-15 grams for mice and 20-30 grams for rats. They are suitable for baby ball pythons that weigh between 200 and 300 grams.
Weanlings
Weanlings are the next size of mice and rats. They are young adult rodents that have full fur and are brown or black in color. They weigh about 16-25 grams for mice and 30-50 grams for rats. They are suitable for baby ball pythons that weigh between 300 and 500 grams.
Adults
Adults are the largest size of mice and rats. They are mature rodents that have full fur and are brown or black in color. They weigh about 26-40 grams for mice and 50-80 grams for rats. They are suitable for baby ball pythons that weigh more than 500 grams.
The table below summarizes the prey size for different weight ranges of baby ball pythons:
| Weight Range of Baby Ball Python | Prey Size | Prey Type | Prey Weight |
| Less than 100 grams | Pinkies | Mice or Rats | 3-10 grams |
| 100-200 grams | Fuzzies | Mice or Rats | 6-20 grams |
| 200-300 grams | Hoppers | Mice or Rats | 11-30 grams |
| 300-500 grams | Weanlings | Mice or Rats | 16-50 grams |
| More than 500 grams | Adults | Mice or Rats | 26-80 grams |
As you can see, the prey size for baby banana pied ball python for sale depends on their weight range. The best way to choose the right size of prey for your snake is to weigh it regularly and adjust accordingly. You can also use a ruler or a tape measure to compare the width of the prey with the width of the snake’s body at mid-length.
For more information on how to feed a baby ball python, you can watch this video: What is the trick to feeding baby Ball Pythons? – YouTube.
Feeding Tips
The last thing to know about what do baby ball pythons eat is how to feed them properly. Feeding a baby ball python can be challenging because they can be picky or refuse to eat for various reasons. Some common problems that can occur when feeding a baby ball pythons for sale are:
Stress
Stress is one of the main causes of feeding refusal in baby ball pythons. Stress can be caused by many factors, such as improper temperature or humidity, inadequate hiding places, excessive handling, loud noises, bright lights, or other pets or people in the room.
To reduce stress, you should provide your snake with a comfortable and secure enclosure that has a warm side (around 88-92°F) and a cool side (around 78-82°F), a humid hide (around 60-70% humidity), and enough substrate to burrow in. You should also handle your snake less before feeding, especially if it is new or shy. You should also feed your snake in a quiet and dark place, away from any distractions or disturbances.
Shedding
Shedding is another cause of feeding refusal in baby pied ball python for sale. Shedding is a natural process that snakes go through to replace their old skin with a new one. During shedding, snakes may lose their appetite, become irritable, or hide more often.
To help your snake shed, you should provide it with a humid hide that has moist sphagnum moss or paper towels inside. You should also mist the enclosure daily to increase the humidity. You should not force your snake to eat or handle it during shedding, as this may cause stress or damage the new skin. You should wait until your snake has completed its shed before offering food again.
Illness
Illness is another cause of feeding refusal in baby ball pythons for sale near me. Illness can be caused by many factors, such as parasites, infections, injuries, or genetic defects. Illness can affect the snake’s appetite, behavior, or appearance.
To prevent illness, you should keep your snake’s enclosure clean and sanitary, quarantine any new snakes before introducing them to your collection, and monitor your snake’s health regularly. If you notice any signs of illness, such as lethargy, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing, mites, or mouth rot, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Low Temperature
Low temperature is another cause of feeding refusal in baby ball pythons for sale near me. Low temperature can affect the snake’s metabolism and digestion, making it less hungry or able to digest food properly.
To avoid low temperature, you should provide your snake with a heat source that maintains a warm side (around 88-92°F) and a cool side (around 78-82°F) in the enclosure. You should also use a thermostat to regulate the temperature and a thermometer to monitor it. You should not feed your snake if the temperature is below 75°F, as this may cause regurgitation or impaction.
Wrong Prey Type or Size
Wrong prey type or size is another cause of feeding refusal in baby ball pythons for sale. Wrong prey type or size can affect the snake’s preference or ability to eat the prey item.
To avoid wrong prey type or size, you should offer your snake the appropriate prey item that matches its size and nutritional needs. You should also vary the prey type occasionally to prevent boredom or addiction. You should not offer your snake a prey item that is too big or too small for it, as this may cause choking or regurgitation.
Some tips to overcome these problems and encourage your baby ball pythons for sale near me to eat regularly are:
Offer Warm and Fresh Prey Items
One tip to encourage your baby ball python to eat is to offer warm and fresh prey items. Warm and fresh prey items are more appealing and stimulating to the snake’s senses than cold and stale ones. They also mimic the natural conditions of the snake’s prey in the wild.
To offer warm and fresh prey items, you should thaw frozen rodents in warm water or a refrigerator overnight, and then heat them up in hot water or a hair dryer for a few minutes before feeding. You should not use a microwave or an oven to heat up frozen rodents, as this may cause hot spots or explosions. You should also not refreeze thawed rodents, as this may reduce their quality and safety.
Switch Between Live and Frozen-Thawed Prey Items
Another tip to encourage your baby ball pythons for sale near me to eat is to switch between live and frozen-thawed prey items. Live and frozen-thawed prey items have different advantages and disadvantages for the snake and the owner. Switching between them can provide some variety and flexibility for both parties.
Live prey items are more natural and stimulating for the snake, as they trigger its hunting instincts and provide some enrichment. However, live prey items are also more expensive, harder to find, and riskier for the snake, as they may bite or injure it.
Frozen-thawed prey items are more convenient and safer for the owner, as they are cheaper, easier to find, and pose no harm to the snake. However, frozen-thawed prey items are also less appealing and satisfying for the snake, as they lack movement and freshness.
To switch between live and frozen-thawed prey items, you should offer your snake both options alternately or randomly. You should not force your snake to eat one type of prey item if it prefers another. You should also observe your snake’s reaction and preference to each type of prey item.
Scenting or Braining the Prey Items
Another tip to encourage your baby ball pythons for sale to eat is to scenting or braining the prey items. Scenting or braining the prey items means adding some smell or flavor to them that may attract or entice the snake to eat them.
Scenting the prey items means rubbing them with something that smells like the snake’s natural prey or something that it likes. For example, you can rub a mouse with a rat fur or a chick feather to make it smell like a rat or a chick.
Braining the prey items means piercing the skull of the rodent and exposing some of its brain matter. This makes the rodent smell more appetizing and irresistible to the snake.
To scent or brain the prey items, you should use a sharp knife or scissors to make a small cut on the head of the rodent and squeeze out some of its brain matter. You should then offer the rodent to your snake as soon as possible, before the smell fades away.
Use a Feeding Box or Tongs
Another tip to encourage your baby ball pythons for sale near me to eat is to use a feeding box or tongs. A feeding box or tongs are tools that can help you feed your snake more easily and safely.
A feeding box is a separate container that you can place your snake in when you feed it. A feeding box can help reduce stress, prevent substrate ingestion, and avoid cage aggression. However, a feeding box can also cause stress, increase handling, and disrupt the snake’s routine.
Tongs are long metal or plastic devices that you can use to hold and present the prey item to your snake. Tongs can help avoid bites, stimulate interest, and control movement. However, tongs can also cause injury, induce fear, and reduce enrichment.
To use a feeding box or tongs, you should first prepare the prey item and the tool. You should then gently move your snake to the feeding box or offer the prey item with the tongs. You should not force your snake to eat or handle it too much. You should also observe your snake’s reaction and preference to each tool.
FAQs
In this section, we will answer some frequently asked questions about what do baby ball pythons for sale near me eat based on people also ask section from Bing for this keyword.
What do baby ball pythons eat?
Baby ball pythons eat animal protein sources such as mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, chicks, quail, and rabbits. They need to eat more often than adult ones because they are growing and need more energy.
Should I feed my ball python mice or rats?
You should feed your ball pythons for sale rats if possible because they are larger and more nutritious than mice. However, you can also feed your ball python mice if rats are not available or if your snake prefers them. You should switch to rats as soon as your snake is big enough to handle them.
What should I feed my baby ball python?
You should feed your baby ball pythons for sale near me smaller mice or rats that are no bigger than its body at mid-length. You should start with pinkies or fuzzies for the first few feedings and then gradually increase the size as your snake grows. You should also offer some variety by giving different prey items occasionally.
How often should I feed my baby ball python?
You should feed your baby ball pythons for sale every 5-10 days for 0-6 months old, every 10-14 days for 6-24 months old, and every 2-3 weeks for older than 24 months old. You should adjust the feeding frequency according to your snake’s weight, age, season, and appetite.