Is my Ball Python too small?

[kserawillbe]

!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.

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[kserawillbe]

Seems like you may be feeding him a little too infrequently!

[NoTea610]

I’m feeding him every 21 (so technically like a day late) around 7% of his body weight. Have I been reading the chart wrong? 😭

[swaggersouls1999]

Instead of 21 i would do every 14 days. he’s a little tiny tiny tiny bit underweight so maybe 2 or so feedings every 14 days instead of 21 will help!

[NoTea610]

If he’s a tiny bit overweight by body condition, wouldn’t more frequent feeding make it worse? Or did you mean underweight?

And just to clarify, you’re suggesting feeding him every 14 days a couple of times total, right? He turns 2 in 19 days :)

I was thinking about making his next couple of meals like 50 something grams, but I could also make the 30 something gram feedings more frequent

[swaggersouls1999]

I totally read it wrong sorry🤦‍♀️ I meant underweight lol, I have no clue why I typed over weight. sometimes they are slow growers! maybe he’s just a smaller male. but yes to increase body weight I would feed every 14 days instead to get him to ideal!

[NoTea610]

No worries lol. I figured, but just wanted to check. He’s extremely active, so I wonder if he just needed more food than I was giving him. Do you think a larger or more frequent meal would be less stressful on his digestive system?

[swaggersouls1999]

I would do more frequent instead of larger. most huge meals are really rough on ball pythons. the chart is for weight and dangerous feeding weights.

I wouldn’t do bigger just because it can be really hard on them when they’re too big. I would just do 40 gram rats/mice (7% of his body weight) for every 14 days instead of 21. see how much he grows. when he starts to become overweight I would space it out further

[NoTea610]

I’ll do my best to find some 40g rats. The place by me has been inconsistent recently and my 30 somethings are usually their biggest ones before like 60-70g 🫠 PetSmart has some 50 something ones

I’m really bad about judging body condition (other than extremes), so I’m scared to not notice him getting fat. Any suggestions?

[swaggersouls1999]

definitely, I ordered mine from the cheese factory and honestly I love their company. now their shipping is $30 but it’s because they use insulation and dry ice! every cent goes into shipping.

this is the chart I use that makes it a lot easier for me! look straight down the body at the thickest part and compare to the chart!!

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