Feeding Schedule and Sex Clue

[cash]

My two Bloods are growing at an Incredible speed but I am worried about the size and frequency of their meals. They are both able to eat a "large" Frozen Rat from Rodent Pro but it does take quite a bit of time for them to finish thier meals (30 to 90 minutes). Should I feed them a smaller Rat and how much time do you suggest I wait between meals they seem more than willing to eat once a week but I've only been feeding once every two weeks since I switched to "large" rats any suggestions on size and schedules of meals would be appreciated. The Lengths of the two snakes are currently approximately 12" and 18" And each are almost a Year old.

The sizes of the two bloods also makes me currious they are both the same age and yet one has grown 1.5 times as large in the same amount of time with the same feedings. Could this be a clue as to the sex of the two bloods?

[Pythonian]

A great rule of thumb is to feed the animal prey, that has the same girth as the snake. And if the snake isn't regurging and/or absolutely refusing the prey, i don't think it will be a problem. Personally... I just can't see a 1' blood taking out a large rat. but if it's doing it. Then it shoiuld be fine.

Mike

[SD-SNAKE]

YOU DONT WANT TO HAVE YOUR SNAKES GET STRECHED OUT IT CAN BE BAD FOR THERE ORGANS. TRY A RAT THAT IS A LITTLE SMALLER THEN THE FATTEST PART OF THE SNAKE OR FEED TWO MEDIUM RATS.AS FAR AS FEEDING GOES ONCE EVERY 2 WEEKS IS GOOD BUT ONCE A WEEK WOULD NOT HURT. IT JUST DEPENDS ON HOW FAST YOU WANT THE SNAKES TO GROW.

[peregrinefalcon]

My blood is only 3-4 months old and he is 18" long, are yours small or is mine big??? And I am feeding mine an adult mouse once a week, he takes 5-10 minutes to eat it.
Adam

[Linds]

I agree with Mike, a 1' blood - though they can take larger meals for their length than msot snakes becasue of their girth - shoudln't be taking large rats. The general rule is to feed prey roughly the same size as the largest part of your snakes girth. At 12" or 18" their girth won't be that huge. Their meal would weigh more than they would :eek: I am feeding my 3' borneo large rats (and I just upped him to large rats recently). As for growth rates, they are like people. They all have their own rate of growth, though it can be influenced to some degree, it is still unique to each individual. Hope this helped :)