Ball Python Feeding Chart
Use this chart as a quick reference for prey size and feeding frequency. Body weight and condition are the most reliable guides — use age as a starting point and adjust based on how your snake looks and grows.
→ Back to the full Ball Python Care Guide
→ Ball Python Feeding Schedule — Full Guide
Ball Python Feeding Chart by Snake Weight
| Snake Weight | Prey Type | Prey Weight (approx.) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 100g | Fuzzy mouse or appropriately sized mouse | 5–10g | Every 5–7 days |
| 100–200g | Hopper or adult mouse | 10–25g | Every 5–7 days |
| 200–400g | Adult mouse or small rat | 20–40g | Every 7–10 days |
| 400–700g | Small rat | 40–70g | Every 7–10 days |
| 700g–1,200g | Appropriately sized rat (often small to medium, depending on body condition) | 70–120g | Every 10–14 days |
| 1,200g+ | Appropriately sized medium or large rat | 120g+ | Every 14–21 days |
Quick Tip: Feed based on your snake's body condition, not just its weight. A lean snake may need more frequent meals; an overweight snake benefits from longer intervals. Prey should be roughly the same width as the widest part of the snake's body.
Avoid power feeding (feeding oversized prey or feeding too frequently) simply to increase growth rate. Slow, steady growth is healthier and reduces the risk of obesity.
How to Read This Chart
Prey weight is approximate and varies by supplier. Use the prey width rule as your primary guide — the prey item should be roughly the same diameter as the snake's mid-body. If you're between sizes, go smaller rather than larger.
Feeding frequency slows naturally as ball pythons mature. A hatchling eating every 5 days is normal; a large adult eating every 2–3 weeks is equally normal.
Frozen/Thawed Prey Guide
| Prey Item | Typical Weight | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Pinky mouse | 2–5g | Very small hatchlings |
| Fuzzy mouse | 5–10g | Hatchlings |
| Hopper mouse | 10–20g | Small juveniles |
| Adult mouse | 20–30g | Juveniles |
| Small rat (weaner) | 30–60g | Juveniles to sub-adults |
| Medium rat | 60–120g | Sub-adults to adults |
| Large rat | 120–200g | Large adults |
Signs Your Ball Python Is the Right Weight
A healthy ball python should have:
- A gently rounded triangle with a defined spine ridge but no sharp prominence
- No visible ribs when relaxed
- No rolls of excess fat along the sides
- A tail that tapers gradually rather than dropping off sharply
If your snake's spine is sharply prominent, it is underweight. If the sides bulge with visible fat rolls, it is overweight. Adjust feeding frequency accordingly.
Feeding Equipment
→ Best Frozen Feeders for Reptiles
→ Best Feeding Tongs for Reptiles
→ Complete Reptile Feeding Guide
→ Ball Python Feeding Schedule — Full Guide
→ Ball Python Not Eating — Troubleshooting Guide
→ Back to the full Ball Python Care Guide