What to Feed Your Ball Python
WouterWhen deciding what to feed your ball python, it’s best to know that these reptiles are notoriously picky when it comes to food. They’ll sometimes prefer eating a small rat over a larger one. White rodents aren’t their typical diet, and in the wild they may never see one. Instead, they’ll be happy with spotted or brown rodents. In some cases, they will even prefer teeny mice.
To avoid this, choose a variety of prey items. You can start with a single rat, but you should consider rotating your prey items if you want to keep your python healthy. Ideally, the rat should be about the same size as the snake’s widest part. Once your python reaches about six months, you can feed it an adult rat every ten days. A male should be able to handle one rat at a time, while a female should be able to handle one to three.
You can also consider a live baby rat. The snake’s food should be at a temperature similar to the prey’s natural habitat. A ball python will not eat cold food, so try to find food that mimics the temperature of its prey. To ensure that your python gets enough nutrition, make sure your enclosure has plenty of humidity.
When it comes to feeding, juvenile ball pythons require a smaller meal every week than an adult. This is because they are growing at a rapid rate and need a constant source of food. If you feed a ball python too much food, it may end up re-eating it. Moreover, if the food is too large, it may become stuck in its stomach and be difficult to digest.
