Someone brought up a GREAT point that Maui is overweight (although we been knew, it just sparked a fire LOL). So let’s talk about why large rats are destructive to a ball python (or a large meal for any other snake) can be destructive to their bodies. #taylornicoledean

WARNING: will contain graphic imagery. Let’s first assess Maui’s condition. Pretty drastic scale spreading, you can even see the skin stretched from the extra weight. You also cannot see the spine. Refer to a picture of one of my snakes for comparison. You can visibly see a spine

At any point in a snake’s life. You should be able to see the spine (save for females producing fat reserves for eggs!). Now let’s get into the science of how large meals affect a snake. A large meal for a ball python will keep the python digesting for OVER a week-

This causes 180% oxidative damage while only producing 6% antioxidants to counter it. Oxidation is the process in which sugar breaks down to produce energy, carbon dioxide and water. The reaction produces free radicals - particles that can do damage to the tissue and organs -

And the liver; the most affected by built up fat. Here we see a cornsnake powerfes. These are snakes with fast metabolism, ball pythons are steps behind. This is extreme build up of fat from feeding large or combined meals. It unfortunately died from fatty liver disease.

This is why it is crucial to size Maui down to a SMALL. A small is the equivalent of a ball pythons natural and most commonly hunted prey, african soft furs. It is ALL they need to thrive and I have breeders packing on breeding weight for 80g rats flawlessly.

Bottom line is: ball pythons do NOT need mediums and larges+. It is not natural (or at least very uncommon) for them to get this big of a meal naturally. Their body is NOT adapted for large meals. Maui needs to be put on small rats.