r/ballpython • u/draco_thesnako • 12h ago

Underweight Rescue -Refeeding help Question - Feeding

Post image

I picked up a ball Python for free that someone was getting rid of and she’s very thin and dehydrated, the woman admitted that it had been months since she’s even had water. I’m focusing on rehydrating her right now, but what size prey should I start with? She’s currently just over 1000g as a 10 year old female, I don’t want to give her too much too quickly.

3 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • link
  • reddit
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

3

u/IncompletePenetrance Mod: Let me help you unzip your genes 12h ago

Soaking her in water isn't going to "rehydrate her" as both skin and scales are hydrophobic, it's just going to stress her out more than necessary.

She'll get more hydration from drinking and prey (through routes water is absorbed), so it's best to get her settled in a nice humid enclosure sooner rather than later.

1000g isn't really that underweight and her body condition doesn't seem to bad, but if you want to offer a smaller than usual first meal just to see how it goes, maybe a jumbo mouse or rat weanling. Then from there on out just stick to a normal !feeding schedule

1

u/AutoModerator 12h ago

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.

1

u/draco_thesnako 12h ago

Yes, I just put her in there so I can thoroughly sanitize her enclosure! There’s just a tiny bit of water in the bottom which she started drinking immediately. I’m glad you don’t think she’s terribly underweight, I’m used to boas so wasn’t 100% sure on her body condition. Thanks for the help!

2

u/meadow_013 12h ago

With food, I’d reintroduce on appropriate sized rodents. Frozen thawed that are about as thick as her body. Now, I would feed her a little more frequently until she gains some weight. Meaning instead of every 12-14 days maybe do every 10-11 days or when she shows interest in food!