Green Tree Python Prey Item Size

[Mikoh4792]

I've come across some contradicting information between The More Complete Chondro and a breeder of chondro pythons.

In the book it says to feed a prey item just a bit thicker than the largest part of the green tree python. The breeder told me You should feed a prey item a bit smaller than the largest part of a green tree python. Keep in mind we are talking about adult green tree pythons.

Which one is right?

[smy_749]

I've come across some contradicting information between The More Complete Chondro and a breeder of chondro pythons.

In the book it says to feed a prey item just a bit thicker than the largest part of the green tree python. The breeder told me You should feed a prey item a bit smaller than the largest part of a green tree python. Keep in mind we are talking about adult green tree pythons.

Which one is right?

I would go smaller.

[Lankyrob]

When i got mine i was told by a breeder to feed rats upto four times the size of the snake, i did this when he was little but later cut back to twice the girth after reading about prolapse issues with larger prey.

Part of the decision depends on how oftern you are feeding but i personally would feed something slightly larger than the girth every two to three weeks

[Aaron_S]

Smaller. Far less complications with smaller meals.

[lady_bug87]

I use the 10-15% rule. I feed mine once every 7-9 days

[Mikoh4792]

I use the 10-15% rule. I feed mine once every 7-9 days

how old is your GTP? Would you use the same rule and frequency when it gets older?

[Mikoh4792]

When i got mine i was told by a breeder to feed rats upto four times the size of the snake, i did this when he was little but later cut back to twice the girth after reading about prolapse issues with larger prey.

Part of the decision depends on how oftern you are feeding but i personally would feed something slightly larger than the girth every two to three weeks

wow 4 times seems a bit excessive.

[lady_bug87]

Yes it is. Every time he insists on posting that we get into an argument. I hate when he says that because there can be so many complications with that big of a meal

[lady_bug87]

how old is your GTP? Would you use the same rule and frequency when it gets older?

She is 2 and yes.

[Lankyrob]

wow 4 times seems a bit excessive.

Quite possibly it was and as i said over the three years of owning him i backed it down to twice his girth, i never experienced any issues but others apparently have.

[Mikoh4792]

Quite possibly it was and as i said over the three years of owning him i backed it down to twice his girth, i never experienced any issues but others apparently have.

This is what confuses me. You recommend a prey item twice the girth every two weeks, the book recommends a prey item slightly larger than the girth every two weeks and the breeder I talked to recommends a prey items slightly smaller than the girth every two weeks.

[Lankyrob]

This is what confuses me. You recommend a prey item twice the girth every two weeks, the book recommends a prey item slightly larger than the girth every two weeks and the breeder I talked to recommends a prey items slightly smaller than the girth every two weeks.

Yep, its a minefield alright! :D

[smy_749]

The lesson here is there is no 'must do' technique. You can feed any number of ways and he will probably be ok as long as its within reason. I wouldnt advise very large prey for a GTP though. People recommed what works for them, which is fine but not a must. Same girth to 1.5 is most I'd go personally. Every 7-10 days all the way up to every two weeks as well. I'd go with what the book says based on gregs level of success and number of years in the chondro hobby. Dont stress that aspect so much (dont stress anything as long as your within reason, including the basking spot / 87-88 vs 82 debate etc etc)

[Abraxxos]

I have to agree with smy on this one. From everything I've read and seen many do it differently depending on the snake and the keeper. My GTP is still young. I feed her food thats roughly as thick as she is. Not too much thicker. I usually feed her a crawler every 7-12 days. She's a pig though and if she had her way she'd eat larger prey more often. That's my general schedule for most of my snakes except for my adult snakes.

[Mikoh4792]

Yeah seems the safest way to go would be following the 10-15% rule or just feed it a prey item as thick as it's largest part every week or so since it's pretty old.

[smy_749]

How old is he? Is he one of the male breeders from '99 / '00 that he had up for sale?

[Mikoh4792]

How old is he? Is he one of the male breeders from '99 / '00 that he had up for sale?

No hes a 2007. I guess 6 years old is not really "old" but still, it's old lol.

[smy_749]

No hes a 2007. I guess 6 years old is not really "old" but still, it's old lol.

Ah thats not old :P lol