How To Feed A Ball Python Frozen Rats? [Full Guide & Tips]

A ball python is a type of snake that can be found in the wild and captivity. They are often kept as pets. The size of these snakes can range from 4-5 feet long, but they are not poisonous to humans.

They are called ball pythons because they curl up into a ball shape when they feel threatened or when they are resting. This is an instinctual behavior that helps them to defend themselves. The ball python feeds on rodents, so you can feed it frozen rats from your local pet store.

Feeding a ball python frozen rats is easy. Freeze the rat before feeding it to your snake and only give one rat per week. Buy frozen rats and thaw the frozen prey before serving and do not handle it with bare hands but use feeding forceps. It is recommended to feed your snake frozen and thawed prey as live prey can pose a danger to your pet and cause injuries. Frozen prey is easier to store and has many other benefits.

How To Feed A Ball Python Frozen Rats

The way you feed a ball python frozen rats is very simple and straightforward. All you need to do is place the rat in the freezer for a few hours before feeding it to your snake so that it will be easier for your snake to eat it. You should also make sure that you only feed your snake one rat per week because too much protein can cause their stomachs to become inflamed and may even kill them!

If you have a pet ball python at home and it’s hungry, here’s what you need to know about feeding your snake-frozen rats:

– Buy frozen rats from the pet store or online

– Freeze them before feeding them to your snake

– Use tongs or gloves when handling the rat so you don

You can keep frozen food in the freezer for an extended period and take it out for feeding as needed. As long as it is frozen and well-packed.

Frozen prey should be thawed before serving to your snake or pet. The most preferred method for thawing frozen prey food is at 40°C. Frozen prey must not be thawed using exposure to microwave heat, very hot water, or any source of excessive heat.

Your snake or pet that usually eats live prey will not show reluctance to feed on frozen and thawed foods.

You should not serve food with your bare hands as this may cause the animal to act to grab the hand instead of the food. Instead, use feeding forceps.

If you have two animals in the same enclosure, they must be separated before feeding them to prevent accidents such as the two animals taking over the same prey.

Should I Feed My Ball Python Live Or Frozen Mice?

In short, it is recommended to provide frozen and thawed prey to pets like your snake, and thus you will avoid a lot of problems, and thus you will ensure that your pet will have a life without problems.

Although snakes like the ball Python can handle live prey, because when in the wild they naturally obtained their prey while they were alive.
But it is not true that this means that your snake should eat live prey, most pets must eat frozen or thawed prey, and this practice has many benefits, including:

You have to make your snake eat frozen or thawed prey because live prey can pose a danger to your pet, these live animals will be ready to defend themselves in an attempt to not be preyed upon.

Usually, pets such as snakes get cuts, scratches, and scars, all because of living prey, and these injuries will require expensive care and will take a long time from you.

Sometimes live prey cuts the snake’s appetite because that live prey will move and distract your pet to the point that the pet will lose the desire to eat that meal.

Unlike frozen or thawed prey, it will not make the pet feel threatened and will make it ready to accept that meal.

Also, offering live prey to snakes will make those prey suffer from fear and pain while getting rid of these prey in a humane way will avoid unnecessary pain.

Also, storing these live prey will require you to have a special place and additional expenses. And these live prey will take time for you to take care of them, and any failure to do so will cause problems such as the spread of unpleasant odors or disease.

While storing frozen prey requires you only a freezer, and you will be able to save a large amount with minimal effort and use small amounts of it whenever you need it.

How To Switch A Ball Python From Live Feeders To Frozen-thawed

Some Ball Pythons transition from live feeders to frozen feeders with little or no problem. Others initially refuse defrosted frozen-thawed and require special feeding techniques to get them started. A juvenile or adult Ball Python won’t allow itself to starve to death and will eventually eat a frozen-thawed.

There are various reasons that a Ball Python owner would want to switch their snake’s diet from live feeders to frozen feeders. The top reasons to make the switch are safety, availability, and cost. So how do you go about making the switch?

Most Ball Pythons will generally accept the frozen-thawed prey that you present to them. However, when switching to frozen, you may want to thaw it out and place it under a heating lamp for a couple of minutes. This will give your Ball Python the impression that the feeder has body heat and may make it an easier switch.

In addition to thawing out the frozen feeder, you should also dangle it in front of the snake using a pair of feeding tongs. Doing this will give the impression that the feeder is alive. If these tricks do not work, don’t give up. There are other things that you can do to get your snake to make the switch. You can try “scenting”, or switching to freshly killed first.

Honestly, my approach would be to start with fresh killed-on tongs. Once the snake takes that for a few weeks, try frozen-thawed. The main key is to not give in. If he won’t take freshly killed or frozen-thawed for 2-3 months, don’t feed anything else. The snake will eat when ready.

Of course, if your Ball Python starts losing weight and has no interest whatsoever after 3 months, you’ll just have to feed a live prey item and try switching again.

Steps To Switch A Ball Python From Live Feeders To Frozen Feeders

Let’s break it down into steps.

Feeding Quarters

Always feed your Ball Python in its cage or bin when feeding frozen-thawed. When you move a snake to a separate feeding bin it may not feed.

Presentation of prey

Thaw a frozen prey completely before presenting it to your Ball Python. Even a partially frozen can be harmful. If you have a picky eater, soak the prey in warm water or under a heat lamp right before presenting it. A Ball Python used to live prey can sense body heat; frozen prey doesn’t provide the same effect — warming can help replicate live prey. Use long-handled tongs or hemostats to hold the prey by the neck or tail. Wiggle the prey in front of your Ball Python so it appears to be live. This should help trigger your Ball Python’s natural feeding instincts.

Feeding Preferences

If your Ball Python continues to show no interest in frozen-thawed, try feeding at night, when Ball Pythons instinctively hunt, then cover the eating container and leave it alone to see if it makes a difference.

Transitional Feeding

Instead of going straight from live to frozen prey, consider using a freshly killed, making a progressive transition from live to fresh killed to frozen-thawed. Such an approach can acclimate your Ball Python to the new feeding routine.

Troubleshooting

Ball Pythons won’t eat when they are getting ready to shed. For one thing, their eyesight is compromised. In the wild, Ball Pythons don’t eat while in the shed because of the potential of becoming injured. Be sure the temperature in the enclosure is 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If your Ball Python is too cold it affects its feeding habits.

Thawing Frozen Rodents For Ball Pythons

Thawing in Cold Water

This method is preferred but requires periodic water changes. Frozen rodents in zip-lock bags are placed in a bucket of cold water for 30 minutes, after which time the water is dumped and replaced. An adult rat can be thawed in as little as 1 hour. The bags used should be leak-proof.

Warming and Using Thawed Rodents

After thawing, rodents must be warmed somewhat before being fed to the Ball Python. This is best done by placing the bagged, thawed rodent in a bucket or other container of warm water or under a heat light. Timing varies but plans on 10-30 minutes. Use rodents shortly after thawing and warming.

Common Mistakes

Do not thaw rodents at room temperature or in hot water.
Rodents should never be thawed in microwaves.
Rodents thawed in cold water should not be re-frozen.

And you can read a detailed article on feeding ball pythons snakes, from the link >> What to feed ball pythons.

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