Can an adult ball python eat a cat?

I just got a baby ball python over the weekend for my birthday :)
And I also have 2 adult cats, each about 9lbs.
my friend was saying that the snake at full size can eat one of my cats...
is this true?
Is there any way to make sure this doesnt happen? besides making sure she cant get out of her enclosure of course. But I've read snakes are escape artists, So I am a bit worried for them all. For the snake now since im sure the cats could attack her now, but also for the cats later.
My cats are pretty mellow and have not really noticed the snake. I showed her to them through the glass but they didnt seem to care really.
So I am more worried about the cats when the snake gets bigger!
Is my friend teasing me or could the snake really eat the cats when she gets big?
help! worried mama here!:confused:

This thing's about 10lbs. I doubt they could eat anything heavier than them. Most people feed them 10-15% of their body weight at a time, though they can eat a little more.

YouTube - Brian Gundy With His 5000 Gram Female Ball Python

I wouldn't worry. They probably wouldn't even be interested in the smell of cat anyway.

I was thinking the snake might not even be interested since the cats were here all along? maybe would not recognize it even as a food option since the cats will have been part of the atmosphere of smells for the snake its whole life, or does that not matter? as long as shes not gona hurt my kitties im fine lol. thanks

if provked it might strike at a cat, but thus the name "ball" python it would probely ball up, if it did constrict it might could hut cat but i'd be everything i own it wouldn't happen

Well, people breed and keep rats/mice/other food in the same room as their snakes, but it apparently doesn't stop the snakes from eating when it's time.

I would honestly be more worred about the snake than the cats. Even as an adult bp, a cat's claws (assuming your cats still have them) could rip the snake apart.

yep theyve got their claws. the cats have not shown any interest in the snake yet, I guess I'll just have to keep close watch on all three of them. and if i need to, I can put the snake in a room and not allow the cats in there

a bp ( so far in my house ) has not attacked any of mom's cats.

No, your ball python will not eat your cat....If anything, the cat would eat the snake.

Don't worry I will stay the night and guard your cat for you ;)

none of my snakes have ever stuck at any of my cats.
they always try to investigate the snakes and sometimes they try to share the rack with them lol

Most likely not...

A Ball python could strike at your cat. Most likely if this took place it would be out of fear wrather than that of prey instinct. Being your cats curiosity and sticking its face around the snake.

On the other hand I would watch the curiosity of your cats as if something did happen I would be worried about the snake and how the cats could shred it to peaces in matter of seconds if the situation ever did arise.

Just insure that your enclosure is secured properly all the time. They do tend to be escape artist and it is usually do to human error that this happens. Never rush with your snake, make sure evrything is done in the same manner every time.

I guess i am saying be OCD with how you maintain your pets and this should never come into question.

J

Biggest bps I've ever heard of are 10 lb. females. And those are typically about to drop 10+ eggs and aren't much interested in eating rats, let alone predators the same size they are.

Bps are notoriously hard to switch to different food. Cats don't sound or look or act or smell like rodents; I doubt you could get a bp to eat a kitten even if you wanted it to do so.

Plus cats are frankly tougher than bps.

An adult cat? No way. WAY too big.

a tiny tiny kitten? Maybe. I'm sure not gonna find out tho. :gj:

thanks for your help guys. i feel much much better..so should i introduce the cats to the snake? LOL!

Its hard enough to get them to eat what they are supossed to.

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Originally Posted by herekitkitty

thanks for your help guys. i feel much much better..so should i introduce the cats to the snake? LOL!

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The snake isn't going to care one way or another. It's not like they will become pals and have crazy adventures, but at least the cat might not view the snake as a threat.

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Originally Posted by herekitkitty

thanks for your help guys. i feel much much better..so should i introduce the cats to the snake? LOL!

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As at least one other poster has already mentioned, your BP is in more danger from your cats than the other way around. Not only because of the cats' claws, but because of the bacteria on those claws and the cats' teeth. Being a cold-blooded reptile, your snake's immune system would likely have a very difficult time dealing bacteria that a mammal's immune system could handle easily.

Watch your BP. If it looks like it had any altercation with one of your cats, take it directly to a herp vet. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. (Okay, you may need to stop by an ATM for a couple hundred in vet fees.:rolleyes:)

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Originally Posted by herekitkitty

I was thinking the snake might not even be interested since the cats were here all along? maybe would not recognize it even as a food option since the cats will have been part of the atmosphere of smells for the snake its whole life, or does that not matter? as long as shes not gona hurt my kitties im fine lol. thanks

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Sounds like pretty good logic to me.. No expert tho.

Hope everything works out.. :D

I really wouldn't worry about your BP eating your full grown cats. I don't think a full grown BP could even eat a full grown rabbit. It's much more likely that your cats will kill your BP if they get the chance.

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Originally Posted by Dabonus

It's not like they will become pals and have crazy adventures

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How do you know!?!? :colbert:

A full size bp could prob kill your cat but not eat it lol. Im surprised every1s bp dont show interest in there cats cuz mine do, my bps little heads lock on to my cats.

Im the one who should be worried about my cats and my RTB when she gets big :D