My ball python has a triangular body shape and his skin seems too big for his body (it hangs off him).?

Question

Anyone know what i can do to treat him so that he has a more rounded shape?
He is 1 year and 3 months old - 2ft in length and 3 1/2cm wide at his widest part. I use to feed him one small adult mouse a week up till last week, when i read that a triangular body shape in ball pythons indicates the animal is underweightt. So I fed him a large adult mouse the other day and he managed to eat it with no significant lump in his body after he swallowed it. Should i keep feeding him large adult mice ounce a week, and will this help him acquire a healthier body weight? Or should i switch him over to rats? Also, what does the skin hanging off of his body indicate? Please Help!

Answer 1

Your snake is a growing snake, so it needs adult food. You should feed it the adult mice...and if you see a lump, it's probably just digesting, because they eat it whole. The skin hanging could be he's sheding, just in a different way, remember, your snake is young.
*Experienced*

Answer 2

It sounds like he needs a large mouse once a week. If you put a mouse in their and it doesnt eat it within an hour, then take it out and wait a couple of days. A ball python is usually good at not overeating. They will let a mouse kill them rather than eat too much. If you notice he is ravenous at the next feeding give him a small mouse for a mid week snack.

Also, make sure he has enough water.

Answer 3

He's underfed, severely so, and may be dehydrated as well. A 2' ball should be eating 2 or 3 adult mice about once a week. You shouldn't have to switch him to rats untl he's at least 4'. If your local pet store has them, and you do not have qualms about doing this, small hamsters will fatten him up in a hurry, but only do this until he's back to a normal body shape. After that, stick with mice.
The skin hanging off his bones is a sign of severe malnourishment as well as possible dehydration. I would recommend checking around to find out when and where the local herpetological society meets, they should be able to answer any further questions you might have.

Answer 4

hi there
start on the adult mice once a week and when he sheds up it to 1 adult mouse 1 Sm mouse and again when he sheds up it to 1 adult 1 med and so on till he gets his weight up to par.. nice a tight sleek body... yes ur snake is under weight....once he's on 2 adult mice which should be around the age of 3yrs old then try switching to 1 small rat ...he might or might not take it .. some balls just prefer mice... or 3 yr old eats 2 adult mice a week he refuses rats or yr and half is eating 1 lg mouse and 1 med mouse...rule of thumb never feed anything bigger then the girth size(the thickest part of his body)

Answer 5

Firstly, skin hanging off the body sounds like the snake is shedding its skin which is nothing to worry about, this may be accompanied by a milky appearance to the snake. Secondly, you should take good care to learn about any snake you own as they all require different treatment, I suggest you go to your library and find a book on ball pythons and make sure your snake is subject to the correct treatment. There are sites on the internet which will give you an idea on how to feed your snake but remember not to believe everything you read (include what i write). In general, as snakes get older they eat larger meals less often, but like us humans, each snake will differ even if they are the same age and sex, and this is something you will have to get used to as you get to know your pet. If you are worried about the health of your snake then take it to a vet for a professional diagnosis.

Answer 6

your python is probably suffering some illness which is causing the malnutrition. If you feed him large quantaties of food to try and fatten him up you may just cause more problems. You should first seek guidence from a vet that specializes in reptiles.
I have been a reptile keeper for 27 years and when i'm not 100% sure whats going on with my animals i always go to the vet first

Answer 7

Call a vet before trying this but do so soon. Try to feed him as much as he will eat until he won't eat. Since he ate a large mouse try feeding him a small one the next day and see if he eats it. Most animals only eat when they need to or eat in excess alittle but not as much as humans and some dogs/cats.

Answer 8

ive had a ball python since he wer a baby i feed mine 2 large garbles a week u could try 2 mice a week or 1 gerble a week. it does sound like hes underweight if i wer you id feed him2 large mice a week or if you try garbles try one first and if he stil seems hungry try 2. i used to use mice but he was eating 3 a week now he has one gerbil a week . also spray him every day with water it helps his skin hope this helps you .angela.

Answer 9

You're starving your snake. Feed him a rodent the same size around as his biggest point. Take him to the vet. BPs are notorious non-eaters, but this is a dire situation. If he won't eat, you MUST feed him with a syringe or IV.

Answer 10

I think you should stay with the adult mice. He will eventually gain some weight. Does he drink enough water? He may be dehydrated. Take him to a vet, because he may be sick.