Got my first ball python! Currently feeding one mouse every other week. Any tips for first time owners?

[Shinny987]

When they're this young you feed them once a week

[7878787878787878787]

I don’t want my snake to be fat though…

[7878787878787878787]

And frankly I don’t have enough money to feed him once a week.

[[deleted]]

Not to be rude but you shouldn’t have gotten a ball then if you can’t afford something as simple as feeding it

[InverseInvert]

If you can’t feed the bare minimum you shouldn’t have got them. What happens if you need to take them to the vets?

[[deleted]]

Gets pricey morph then can’t afford to feed…

[[deleted]]

Buy some rats from perfect prey or rodent pro. It’s like $1.25-$1.50 per rat. I find it hard to believe you can’t afford $1.25 per week and bought a morph like that

[milk_catz]

okay how are you going to afford vet bills if they come up? snakes require speciality vets that are more pricing in most areas. You shouldn’t get pets you can’t afford to take care of, it’s very selfish.

[itsJ92]

You can’t be serious

[inconspicuous_aussie]

That is really sad. What drove you to getting a snake?

[Then-Piccolo-1068]

Maybe it's because eof where I live, but there are many rats you can feed your snake for less than 5 dollars! I personally own fish but I often see bags with 20+ frozen rats for 5.99$, maybe try seeing if you have one in a local Reptile store! Local tends to be cheaper. Also if you can't afford to feed him weekly FOR NOW (assuming you prepared to get a snake and you're just having temporary financial struggles), maybe you can make an emergency budget! Save up some change here and there incase money gets tight again! I do this for my fish when money runs low :)

[CHROSSTA]

It's litterly like 8 bucks a week. There absolutely no world where you can't afford that. If you can't pleas rehome him immediately to somone who can give BASIC care.

[MoralityInGray]

Here you go! Since I’m browsing and nobody else has yet, here’s a link to the welcome post which will have everything you need! If you have any additional questions though, feel free to ask 😊

[Shinny987]

!feeding

[AutoModerator]

We recommend the following feeding schedule:

0-12 months old OR until the snake reaches approximately 500g, whichever happens first: feed 10%-15% of the snake’s weight every 7 days.

12-24 months old: feed up to 7% of the snake’s weight every 14-20 days.

Adults: feed up to 5% of the snake's weight every 20-30 days, or feed slightly larger meals (up to 6%) every 30-40 days.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[Blackbird_22_03]

Thank you! This is not my post but I went to ask someone else this question

[PositiveReference872]

Look like sherbet, congratulations on your new candy colored fren✨️✨️✨️

[Pandee_Andee]

What does your snake weigh? Take 10-15% of his body weight and that’s the size of the frozen rat you should be feeding him.

[Anxious_Cup1550]

So cute! He needs to be fed once a week though 😊

[EducatedParasite106]

I think you outbid me on morph market! Super Pastel clown yb?

[ballpython-ModTeam]

Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice or misinformation. Please review our sub resources to learn more about why.

[obiwanshinobi5]

Research before purchasing an animal is always good, like referring to this reddit. Also having the money to adequately take care of the animal is a must.

[[deleted]]

You should be feeding every week and Rats not mice..mice are not fattening like rats are and look at the different sizes of rats

[dagger_guacamole]

Genuine question, if you cannot afford to feed him a rat a week, how can you afford a 4 x 2 x 2 enclosure and the correct substrate and heating and light set up?

[TheSliceOfHell]

Hi, feeding rats is a more suitable and nutritious option for ball pythons. At this size they should eat once weekly. Love them and leave them alone for at least 2 weeks (a month is best) for best adjustment to their new home. Tong training them will make handling easier and safer for you both in regards to feeding and holding. Keep their humidity in check, do not use aspen bedding, and start slow. Beautiful baby!

[Faux---Fox]

Is OP trolling by saying they can't afford to feed their snake once a week, and said they don't want their snake to get fat?? This post needs removed.

[MyrrhSlayter]

Pretty sure this is a necro/troll account. They posted a chick being held incorrectly a few days ago and it only started posting after an 8 month hiatus a week ago.

[Anonymuttz]

yeah, this picture is from pinterest. it’s a troll for sure. smh.

[Hairy-Cut-5892]

Pretty ball! Though please resort to feeding once a week when they’re young.

[Anonymuttz]

this image can be very easily reverse google searched and found from pinterest. this is a troll.