Does size matter?

[Artemis]

LoL- you must love an intriguing subject line.

So i was doing the "the snake ate" chant and dance again today, because Omega ate a f/t hopper. It was so much bigger than his little neck, and the fuzzy he ate for his 1st feed. I didnt think he was gonna make it for a few minutes there! Im glad I decided to hold off on the rat fuzzies until he is a little bigger.

Its not possible to feed them anything too big is it? I thought that mouse might actually bust through his little neck for a minute there. I think I remember that if its too big for them, they will end up regurging it- but i want to make sure I remember right and I cant hurt him by feeding him something TOO big.

But, still doing the dance =) Hoping he will keep this appetite forever.

Art

[Tim_Cranwill]

Match the food item to their fattest part + another 50% or so. Don't worry about the neck... the neck WILL stretch... a LOT. :)

They are made to eat large food items. They won't burst but if they eat a big meal, let them have some peace for a few days to digest.

If the meal is too big, they might start eating it and then back out... but you would be surprised at the size of food they can handle.

[Piers]

I think most people here on these forums start their ball pythons on adult or close to adult mice or rats of same size.
Your right that too big a meal can cause regurging or even kill the snake,but I think you can step up the size of the meal with no problem.
Piers

[Artemis]

LOL- I was amazed tonite. So if he cant handle it then he wont eat it then? Thats a relief. I was a little worried when I looked at the size of it in his mouth compared to the size of his little neck- but he took it down like a champ, took a drink, and then cruised into his hide. I was happy once it was past the neck.

=) A little more growth and I will try the switch to rat fuzzies.


Art