If you have just acquired a ball python, you probably have a lot of questions about what to feed it and how to care for it. While the answer to every question will vary from person to person, here are some tips to keep in mind.
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Live prey
If you are planning to feed your snake live prey, there are some tips you should follow. This can help to ensure the safety and health of your pet.
The first thing to remember is to not handle the snake right after feeding. You want to let the snake have plenty of time to digest its meal. If you try to handle the snake before this, you could cause regurgitation. You also need to avoid handling the snake within 48 hours of feeding it. This can be stressful and may disrupt the snake’s digestion.
If you choose to use frozen prey, thaw it out before feeding it to your snake. Make sure to heat it under a lamp or a warm water bath for at least ten minutes. This helps to simulate a live hunt.
When you do choose to feed your snake a live prey, it is best to choose a larger rodent. Smaller mice will be too small to satisfy your ball python.
Feeder animals
When it comes to feeder animals for ball pythons, there are many options. They can be fed live or frozen prey. The best option is to rotate their diet. Some snakes prefer small rodents, while others prefer large mice.
Ball pythons eat a variety of prey, but they prefer smaller prey. If they are fed too big a prey item, they may regurgitate. This can lead to complications with feeding.
For this reason, it is recommended to choose pre-killed feeder animals. These are sold in most pet stores. However, it is important to defrost them before feeding. This can take up to two hours for a mouse and five hours for a rat.
It is also possible to buy hatchling chicks and hamsters. These are legal in many states. It is also advisable to use a calcium supplement. This should be mixed with vitamin D. It is a good idea to replace it every six months.
It is important to note that the size of the ball python’s enclosure should be suitable. It should allow the snake to get adequate light and have a hide box. If it does not have a hide box, it may become stressed. This can lead to respiratory infections.
Calcium supplements
Ball Pythons are nocturnal predators that consume whole, nutrient-dense prey items. They also need to avoid overheating and predation. They require a healthy diet that is a balanced combination of calcium and protein.
In the wild, Ball Pythons would eat many different species of mammals. They also need to avoid parasites and intestinal worms. A few of their staple foods are mice, rats and baby chickens. These are all good sources of protein.
A full grown ball python may only need to eat every two to three weeks. But for younger ball pythons, they need to eat every five days. This is because they have a shorter lifespan than other reptiles. If you are concerned about your snake’s nutritional needs, consult with a vet.
In addition to a balanced diet, a calcium supplement can be sprinkled on your snake’s food. This helps your pet absorb nutrients more effectively.
It is important to remember that you will need to replace your calcium supplements every six months. A good calcium supplement should contain vitamin D. You can buy vitamin supplements that have been specially formulated for reptiles.
Seasonal fasting period
Ball pythons go through a seasonal fasting period. They enter this phase when they reach sexual maturity. They resume eating in the breeding season. The mating season begins when the ambient temperature drops below 75degF (24degC) at night and 87degF (28degC) during the day.
During this time, adult Ball Pythons can lose as much as 20 grams of body weight per month. It is important to know how long to wait before you feed your snake.
It is important to understand that when ball pythons are in their natural fasting phase, you should not handle them. This reduces the stress they may feel. However, you should still monitor their health during this time. If your snake continues to refuse food, you should consider having them examined by a veterinarian.
During the winter months, food sources might become harder to find. This can cause undigested food to remain inside the snake. This is a serious problem because the food can predispose the snake to diseases.
