Controlling bp size?

[lilyskip]

I've read about people who, because they want to breed their snakes, feed them once or twice a week, or feed them large meals.

I don't want to breed my bp...I just want it to be healthy. I'd prefer if it stayed under five feet (although I'm prepared for it to grow that large...) Will feeding once every 5-7 days for a baby and every 10-14 days for an adult be enough, or will that promote more growth than is necessary for health purposes?

[BoidKeeper]

Feed it every 7 days for the rest of its life if you want to and you still may not get a snake over 4'. Don't over feed and don't under feed. BP's don't get big so don't worry about it. Just feed it every 7 days and it will grow normally and be healthy.
Cheers,
Trevor

[Tim_Cranwill]

That is just right for keeping a bp healthy and strong!

[BurmBaroness]

Once every 5-7 days until it's a yr old is fine. Then you can go to 10-14 days. People who feed their snakes large meals, or frequently, are powerfeeding, which can lead to health problems down the line. A ball python that reaches over 4 ft is rare, so 5 ft would really be something. Most BP's reach 3.5 ft and not much more. If you go with the feeding schedule I recommended above, your BP will be healthy, not hungry, and not overfed. Good Luck.

[lilyskip]

Thanks for the quick replies! 3.5 feet would be lovely. We shall see, though, eh?

I've been reading all of the past posts on this board, and am wondering if feeding rat pups are only good for those who want large, breeding snakes, or if the general nutrition from a rat is better for all snakes?

[Tim_Cranwill]

There will come a time where your bp will need 4-6 adult mice per feeding. Or you could just feed it 1 appropriately sized rat...

But then again, your snake will be the one who decideds what he eats. Some will not take rats, some will not take mice. You may get one that refuses everything but hamsters or gerbils...

[Linds]

In addition to what everyone else has said, the longer your snake stays on mice, the more difficult it is too switch him over to trats. Its a huge pain having a snake capable fo eating medium rats stuck on mice I would recommend changing him over asap
Generally a snake will reach whatever size its meant to be eventually, no matter how you feed it. Its in its genes, unless it is drastically stunted by illness or severely poor husbandry. Some rbeeders feed them more to get them there faster, which as BurmBaroness mentioned, can lead to serious problems.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Ha ha, BP's don't get any size worth worrying about so micro-managing his/her diet is pointless, sorry.

Also, I'd be surprised if you grew a 5-foot Ball Python. Only a select few get that big, trust me.

[Pixie]

Once a week feedings are fine during the first year or two and then you can cut back feeding to every 10-14 days. I feed both of my BP's a nice big meal every 2 weeks and they are doing great. If I try to feed earlier than 2 weeks now I find they are often uninterested...?

As for rats, I highly recommend trying to swich your BP to them, for exactly the reasons Linds stated. I was feeding at least 4 adult mice each per meal when mine were stuck on mice only. I was never succesfull in trying to switch them over to rats after many attempts. I tried again this spring (May) and both went for them!!! I would suggest that if one has difficulties switching to try again in the spring and early summer when appetites are pretty high. Worked for me

Pixie

[Colonel SB]

Once a week is fine to keep your BP happy & healthy, IMO power feeding is not a good idea you'll end up with a BP who has a small head and huge body and is probably not gonna live the 20 years plus they are supposed to...They looks so silly!