You might be wondering what can you feed a ball pychon. If you do not have any idea what this snake eats, this article will help you out. It will tell you what you can and cannot feed it. Besides fish, you can feed it a variety of rodents. The size of the rodents you should choose depends on the type of ball python.
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Pinky mice
You should feed your ball python pinky mice at an early age to ensure it has the proper nutrition. Mice of all sizes can be given to this snake, but it is best to feed pinky mice to your ball python hatchlings. Fuzzies are slightly older mice and are larger than pinkies. These are both suitable prey for your snake and can be purchased at pet stores.
During their early months, you can only give pinky mice to your ball python. Once they reach a few months of age, you can introduce rat pups to them. As their diet changes, keep the frequency of feeding regular, but vary the types of mice. If you are feeding two small mice, you should feed them every other day. Once they are old enough, you can feed your ball python with five large adult mice once a week.
Birds
If you have a ball python in your home, you may wonder what kind of birds to feed it. The good news is that ball pythons can eat quail, a bird that is not only non-flying but also contains a higher nutritional value than rats. Quail are commonly found throughout the world, from Mexico to the Philippines. The female Ball Python is usually larger than her rat-eating sister.
If you can’t get any frogs or birds to feed a ball pythont, then consider feeding it mackerel. Some species contain enzymes that prevent the body from absorbing vitamin B. Other types of fish that may not be a good choice include goldfish, flathead minnows, rosy reds, and whitebait. However, if you have a ball python with a thiamine deficiency, then don’t feed it fish with a thiamine deficience. Frogs don’t have enzymes that will prevent your snake from absorbing vitamin B1.
Rodents
Although ball pythons are obligate carnivores, they can be fed either rodents or mice. Feeder rodents are inferior to their wild prey because they lack essential nutrients. Using these rodents may not only reduce the snake’s health, but it could also cause the animal to be injured. To feed a ball python safely, you must first consider its size and species.
Generally speaking, rodents should be at least one and a half times the snake’s mid-body size. Advanced snake keepers may consider feeding their snakes rodents 1.5 times the size of their mid-body. The prey should create a bulge in the snake’s body, which will gradually shrink over a few days. Purchasing a rodent in bulk is best as shipping costs can be expensive. Buying one rat a week can be inconvenient. To avoid spending too much money, you can share your order with a friend or a colleague.
When choosing rodents to feed a ball pythone, it is important to keep in mind that the rodent must be as wide as the snake’s mid-section. Besides rodents, ball pythons can also eat birds, shrews, and lizards. You should also avoid wild-caught rodents because they may contain ticks or be aggressive. A ball python can also injure itself by being bitten by a prey rodent.
Fish
While some ball pythons love to feed on fish, others do not. They might even starve rather than eat them! Regardless of what you choose to feed your pet, it is important to know how to feed them correctly. Never force feed, as this will only cause your snake to get hungry, and it could even lead to starvation. Instead, feed them small amounts of live or dead fish about once a month.
If you are not sure what size of prey you should feed your snake, here are some general guidelines. If you’re feeding a juvenile, keep in mind that prey is typically larger than the snake’s body width. If you’re feeding an infant, you don’t want to feed it too large or it might regurgitate it, resulting in an upset stomach. However, you can make up your mind later if you’re unsure.
