As you may know, ball pythons primarily feed on birds and rodents. However, their exact prey can vary widely depending on their environment and size. In some locations, male ball pythons will feed more heavily on birds than females. The next time you’re at the pet store, look for pre-killed prey.
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Pre-killed prey
Aside from mice, many snakes, including ball pythons, will eat a variety of other prey, including rats, mice, and other small rodents. In the wild, snakes are often frightened of prey because of the danger of injury, but you can reduce the risk by using pre-killed prey.
One thing to remember about feeding a ball python is that they’re picky. They will often go on feeding strikes when they switch prey, and they may only like a specific type of prey. Some snakes even refuse to eat mice unless it’s under water. You should be careful not to force your snake to eat anything if it doesn’t like it, but it’s still better than nothing.
Fish
Despite their name, ball pythons do not eat fish. Their digestive system is modified for rodents, not fish. Small fish bones are too sharp to be digested by the royal snake, causing discomfort and bruises. By contrast, rodent bones are easily digested, so feeding your snake fish is a no-no. Nonetheless, if you have an unwilling pet, you can offer the snake fish as a meal.
Although the snake prefers rodents as its main food source, it can also consume fish as a treat. It’s important not to make fish a staple of its diet, though. Wild ball pythons may eat fish from time to time. However, choosing a fish species that your pet won’t harm is critical. Platies and guppies are safe choices. Salmon is less likely to cause vitamin B1 deficiency in your pet.
Birds
Although their main diet is rodents, ball pythons also eat a wide variety of birds. They have been observed helping themselves to the eggs of different bird species. These include chicken, duck, and ostrich. In times of desperation, they will also consume eggs. Some species may also be found in urban areas. But unless you find one in your backyard, it is safe to assume it is not a threat.
In the first few months, ball pythons should be fed only mice and tiny rat pups. But after a few months, you can expand their diet and introduce them to various types of feeder prey. They will readily eat rats and mice, as well as chicks. Some owners even give them multimammate mice. These prey can be offered live or dead, although most people do not prefer to do so.
Shrews
Shrews are the main source of food for ball pythons, and they are not only tasty to a reptile but also very healthy for your garden. This small rodent has a high metabolic rate, and can eat almost continuously. In addition to mice and frogs, shrews are also beneficial to humans, since they can help control pests in gardens. They can keep mice and other rodents at bay by eating them. However, shrews are also short-lived, and they are susceptible to death from floods, sudden temperature changes, fights with other shrews, or even from shock caused by fright. Shrews are not recommended for pets, as they have high metabolic rates and are vulnerable to shock and death.
Shrews are also popular as pet foods for ball pythons, and they are also a convenient source of food for snake owners. The least shrew is a common food for ball pythons, and it can be found throughout the United States. It has a short gestation period, and can have one litter per year. Its young are weaned at 21 days, and it usually takes less than two years for a female to have a litter. Both shrew species are found throughout the United States. The northern short-tailed shrew can live in parts of New England and the Atlantic. Its pelt is brownish-black above, and lighter below. Shrew bones can be found in owl pellets as well.
Lizards
In addition to mice and rats, ball pythons also eat geckos, chicks, quail, gerbils, and hamsters. But geckos can pose a problem as the snakes are known to pounce on them. So it is not advisable to feed these reptiles with fish that have 0% thiamine enzyme.
A ball python’s preferred prey is a rat that is smaller than its widest girth. Always inspect the rat before feeding it to make sure that it is not stale or injured. Once you have found the rat, open the enclosure and gently hold it to the snake’s head. If you’re unfamiliar with feeding a snake, you may also want to buy a frozen feeder.
Squirrels
Ball Pythons are known to eat a variety of prey items. Their diets usually consist of mice, shrews, and occasionally fish. These are the most common forms of prey that ball pythons consume. If you’re wondering if they will eat fish, you’ll be pleased to learn that they’re not common in the wild. They prefer mice and shrews over fish, which aren’t particularly high in vitamin B1.
Other common types of prey that Ball Pythons will eat include mouse, frog, and rabbit. Some also eat spiders and bluebirds. Flying squirrels are especially vulnerable to Ball Pythons, and can easily enter attics through small cracks and crevices. These animals also feed on large insects, including mice, flies, and birds. Some species can survive for long periods without food, so be sure to read about the corresponding diet before introducing your pet to your home.
