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Feeding the Reticutlated Python
Feed your snake an appropriately sized rodent weekly as a baby and juveline, but move to longer periods between meals as the snake ages. Adults should be fed every 10 to 14 days. A baby retic should begin feeding on small adult mice or rat crawlers. They can eat rats from the time they are young - starting off with rat pups or "crawlers" for younger snakes & moving up in size as the animal grows. At 3', the snake is large enough for weanling rats. At 4', it is typically capable of consuming adult rats. Do not handle your snake for at least a day after feeding, as this can lead to regurgitation.
Most reticulated pythons have a unbelieveable feeding response and most sold in todays market are captive breed and will eat thawed rodent immediately, while imports are generally pretty easy to convert to frozen/thawed or pre-killed rodents. Never leave a live rodent unattended with ANY snake. Feed at least once every 7 to 10 days, especially with younger retics. While it is somewhat possible to control a snake's growth rate through maintenance feeding, remember that feeding too infrequently will leave you with a hungry snake that is constantly searching for food, resulting in stronger feeding responses during interaction with handlers. On the other hand, frequent feedings of 1 - 2 times weekly will result in a faster rate of growth, so It may be wise to consider how large you wish the snake to get over a certain period of time. Feeding 2 times a week is considered 'power feeding' and is not recommended by most keepers and hobbyists.
Developing proper feeding habits is very crucial to safe handling, as reticulated pythons are incredibly strong constrictors and a force to be reckoned with when hungry. Never handle rodents and then handle a snake, you will have the scent of the rodent on you and may be mistaken as food. As the snake grows to lengths exceeding 6 feet it may be wise to feed the snake by placing prey items in the enclosure for the snake to discover, as this may encourage more gentle feeding response.