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My ball python's pinkies are too small. Should I feed more or bigger?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

I recently adopted a ball python from PetSmart and was told that she eats 1 pinky mouse per week. I was talking the other day to someone who used to breed that the ball pythons food should be close to the size of the largest portion of their body. Pinky mice are not even half of her body size. Should I try to feed 2 or maybe 3 If she will eat? It's been about a week since the store fed her last.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Joy Fuhrman, DVM, MBA, CPA

Veterinarian

Published on June 3rd, 2017

You can certainly feed Nagini 2 or even 3 pinky mice if she will eat them and depending on their size. However, you would likely be better off feeding her one fuzzy to ensure she is getting enough nutrition from a single prey item.

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    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on

    A juvenile ball python can be fed prey equal to about 10-15% of its body weight once weekly. As she gets older, this can be decreased to prevent obesity. If she is to be bred in the future, she should have her diet increased prior to the breeding season. You can also use the "girth" method for determining prey size as well. Feed nothing bigger than the widest part of Nagini. You can probably stop feeding pinkies (unless she is very young or small) and graduate her to fuzzies, hoppers or weanlings.

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