Final answer:
A ball python eats C) small rodents like mice or rats, typically every two weeks. They require a carnivorous diet and cannot eat vegetables or plant-based foods. Proper care involves raw feeding consistent with the snake's natural dietary needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ball pythons are a popular type of pet snake, and their dietary requirements are specific to their natural carnivorous behavior. The most accurate answer to the question about what food and frequency a ball python eats is: c) Small rodents, every two weeks. This is because ball pythons in captivity are typically fed pre-killed or frozen-thawed mice or rats appropriate to the size of the snake.
It is important to note that snakes are not herbivorous; therefore, they do not eat vegetables. Snakes like the ball python require a diet that consists of meat. Their feeding habits are influenced by the size of the snake, with larger prey being consumed less frequently. It is also essential to serve the prey raw, as cooking it can destroy some of the nutrients the snake needs and can potentially cause health issues for the reptile.
When keeping snakes or other reptiles as pets, be ready to adhere to their natural dietary needs. Unlike herbivorous reptiles like green iguanas or some tortoises that can eat plant-based diets, carnivorous reptiles like ball pythons must be provided with a diet consistent with their requirements for proper growth and health.