Diet and Feeding

A ball pythons diet consists primarily of rodents that range in size from pinkies to large rats. We recommend frozen rodents, thawed/warmed to above room temperature, over live as it is easier to keep food on hand and there is no chance of a frozen rodent biting and injuring your snake or you.

The size of the rodent should not be larger than 1.5 times the diameter of the largest part of their body and no more than 1 a week at this size. While you can feed smaller rodents, you should not feed more than can be placed in a line up to the same length as the larger rodent, and you may have to feed more frequently to maintain the same calories.

Ball Pythons can be picky eaters as they hunt using the thermally sensitive holes on their mouth as opposed to their eyes. This is why it is important to warm your frozen rodents as this is how they will find them. It is not uncommon to need to wiggle the rodent using tongs in order to get the snake to strike and constrict their meal or they may ignore it.

In summary:
- Feed your ball python once a week
- Size the rodent between 1 to 1.5 times the diameter of the largest part of their girth.
- Purchase frozen rodents and thaw to above room temperature
- You may need to stimulate your snake to eat by wiggling the rodent with tongs.

Housing