Prey size...

[lucky8926]

I know this has been discussed before, but what size rat do you think my bp could take? His girth on the biggest part of his body is about 3 1/2 inches. Right now I am feeding him rat pups but don't know if I should step up to weaned or small rats because i'm not really sure what the girth of them are. They only give the length and weight of them on the feeder sites.

-Troy

[Bartman]

Im told they can easily take rat pups out of the egg (rat pups are pinky rats right?)

Anyways, he should be taking a food item that is as large as the thickest part of his body, so 3.5 inches. Good luck!

[lucky8926]

The breeder said he was eating pups from the time he was hatched. For rats it goes pinky, fuzzy, then pup.

I know about the prey as large as the thickest part of his body, the problem is I don't know how much bigger the girth of a weaned or small rat is compared to a pup...

[Asian Jon]

http://www.themousefactory.com/rates/rates.html

Scroll down to the rats section and click on one of them. There is a ruler there to help you estimate. Hope this helps.

Jon

[Tim_Cranwill]

Try a weaned rat. My bet is he will be able to take it down with ease. :)

[lucky8926]

It doesn't help much telling the girth though. I wish they had the ruler sitting the other way.. Thanks Jon

-Troy

[marisa]

If you think he is ready to move on, simply purchase the "next size up rodent" I would almost bet, like Tim said, he will easily take the next size up.

They can eat FAR larger items than their widest point, twice as wide even. My ball pythons do not get prey based on their widest point. They get prey items that leave an easily visable lump for two-three days.

Marisa

[nita]

I'm with Marissa, at least for my rat eaters anyway. Mice eaters I give as many as they will take!

[lucky8926]

I think i'm going to go ahead and get some weaned. The pups he is eating now doesn't really leave a visible lump. If you look you can tell but it isn't a big lump. Thans for the input guys and gals!!

-Troy

[marisa]

If you don't see a lump right after feeding it's definitly time to move up a size or even two! Good luck!

Marisa

[lucky8926]

hmmm now i'm wondering if I should go up 2 sizes. If it's too big will he just not eat it??

[marisa]

If you are that worried then just go up one size. I doubt two sizes will matter though as it sounds like he has been getting items to small for him as it is.

I can't say for sure since I do not know the weight of your ball python, or the size other than the figure you gave us.

Just feed him something to create a nice lump and you'll be fine.

Marisa

[lucky8926]

He is 21" long and approx 175 grams, I don't know if that really helps any. I think i'm going to go up to the small rats. If he won't eat them I still have about 10 f/t pups to feed him so it won't be like I don't have anything for him to eat and he will eventually be ready for the sm. rats anyway. Thanks again!!

-Troy

[Tim_Cranwill]

At 175g, i would feed off the rest of the pups (maybe 2 at a time) and then get into the weaned rats. 175g is still a bit small for small rats, in my opinion.

BTW, the weight reference was MUCH more useful than the circumference! :D

[lucky8926]

I haven't tried to feed him one right after the other yet. Tomorrow is feeding day I think i'm going to try it. How long after he gets the first one down should I wait until I try to give him the 2nd one?
I posted the circumference becuase thats what everyone judges the size of prey the snake should get. I guess I should've posted the weight too..
Thanks for the help!!!!

-Troy

[Tim_Cranwill]

As soon as they food has moved down to the belly, he should be good to go if he IS going to eat a second time.

[lucky8926]

ok thanks Tim!!