Should I change my snakes' eating schedule?

[nolagurl]

I used to feed my two snakes once every two weeks. I realize that most people feed theres once a week but my BP would only eat live. The pet store is out of my way so I would feed him two weeks worth at a time. My snakes get annual vet checkups and the vet said they are impecable.

Last week I finally got my BP to switch to frozen. I am thinking about feeding him once a week now in smaller amounts. Is this a good idea or should I stick with what I was doing before?

[Linds]

Let your snake tell you. Whenever he starts going in to hunt mode, toss him a rat ;) If you aren't yet familiar with your snakes signals, try offering him once a week. IMHO 2 weeks is too little for a typical 6 month old BP, I find they usually go in to hunt mode much more frequently than that at that age. Then again, each snake is unique.

[nolagurl]

I've had him for about 2.5 years now. He was a rescue so I'd estimate that he's 5-7 years old. Not 6 months old. :-P

[Big Mike]

At that age it is probably alright if you feed every two weeks but Linds has a good point. If the snake is acting hungery...feed it.

What size prey are you feeding? At every two weeks you could give it a pretty good sized meal.

[sapphire_moon]

My male is about 3 yrs old and I feed him every week (every 8 days, or every friday) and he gets a large rat.....goes into hunt mode by about day 6 or 7 and he gets food on day 8....

[RepTylE]

I agree with Linds, my BP does the hunt thing whereas when he isn't hungry he is more restive. I do subscribe to the smaller feedings every week though. I am probably opening a can of worms here but I don't like to stuff my snakes like sausages.

[mykee]

Reptile, I agree with the smaller feedings also, but I only follow that if I have a ball that takes multiples food items per feeding. I have a few balls that are 1500g or so, that will take a second or third item, with those, I offer two or three smaller rats,(70-100g) equaling the weight of a large rat. On the other hand, I do have balls that are shy after eating their first item and will not take a second item. With these snakes, I offer one large item (200g+). I've noticed the snakes that eat smaller items digest quicker, but both types of feeders are on par size-wise. It's personal choice, and I let the snakes decide which way they would like to eat.