When to change feeding schedule

[Brently]

I am just curious on when it is appropriate to start to space out feedings more. I feed Athena every 7-10 days depending on prey size. When she eats around 100 grams it is 7 days, anything over 140 grams I go to 10 days. But when do you start spacing it out more, or do you at all. She is 4ft long and weighs around 100 grams (2 lbs). And she is approximately 1 1/2 yrs old.

[Gungirl]

At a year I switch up my guys to eat appropriate size food every 2 weeks.

[KORBIN5895]

I switch my bci over to two week feedings at eight months.

[rmfsnakes32]

We do every 2 weeks once they are over a year old and 1 time a week for younger than that except the corns they eat every week since they have higher metabolisms

[ReticMan123]

I'm also interested in this. I don't get switching them at a year old?? To what prey size. First off I think you mean 900 grams if she's 2 pounds. And if you feed 100 grams a week that's 200 grams every 2 weeks which is about 1/4 a little less which I would think is good for a snake who still has a lot more growing. I was told you go by every 2 weeks. Hatchling to a year they get 1/3 every 2 weeks. So a 100 grams snake gets something that's like 15 to 20 grams a week. A year to 18 months is 1/4 and then to 2 years is 1/5 every 2 weeks. Supposedly there supposed to end up as a grown adult to be like 8to 10 percent of their body weight every 2 weeks. So 2 to 3 years 1/7. Then 3 years on is 1/10? I got all this info by thoroughly researching on this subject and ready a book called whats wrong with my snake? Stating a boid should as an adult in captivity be consuming about double their body weight a year. Saying a 50 pound snake will consume about 4 pounds every 2 weeks. Sorry to throw all this math in here but I am always curious to know growth of bci and bcc and healthy feeding schedules throughout there life. As in my earlier post I just got my first little baby girl suriname;) who I also named Athena;) before I seen this post so I didn't copy lol

[Aaron_S]

BCI and BCC are different snakes though. They have different metabolisms in my experience and BCC tend to be on the more "delicate" side soto speak.

I have a question for the boa breeders. Why do you feed every 2 weeks? Is it a bigger meal than someone would feed a ball python?

For my animals, I feed every 10 days right now due to my breeding cycles and they get average 140 - 175 gram rats(roughly 10 - 15% of body weight) for all adult females. When I'm not pairing I average every 7 days. Same meal size and things seem to go well.

So why the difference? I can only think that a boa female is eating more of her own body weight per feeding.

[Ddub]

Why would folks spread out those feelings? Obviously it takes an adult longer to digest a jumbo or whatever than it does a baby to digest a hopper. The larger the prey item the longer it takes. When and how you slow down is up to you and the individual boa. They all grow at different rates, even similar sized siblings on the same feeding schedule will grow differently so there's no set way to do it. I feed a few days after they poop to adulthood so my feeding schedule, if you could call it that, is self correcting in that respect. On a final note as to why some people would space it to the point of 10-16 meals a year for adults? Boas are notoriously over fed in culture. It may come as a surprise but they just don't need that much food. Of course this all depends on your motivation for how you feed, but its unlikely that boas in the wild get a square meal every 10 days. You will never find a fat boa in wild. They are lean and muscular and that's how I like mine. I find them to be healthier and longer lived. To each their own. Hope this helps.

[shaunyboy]

i feed every 7 to 10 days,for the first 2 to 3 years

sub adults i feed every 14 to 21 days

adults i feed every 15 to 30 days

i don't have a set feeding day

i only feed 3 or 4 feeds during winter

cheers shaun

[Aaron_S]

Why would folks spread out those feelings? Obviously it takes an adult longer to digest a jumbo or whatever than it does a baby to digest a hopper. The larger the prey item the longer it takes....

I think you're wrong here. I'm no expert on these types of things but I still think you're wrong. It doesn't matter the actual size of the prey item in my opinion. It's about the weight of the prey item to the size of the predator.

Most of the time it takes longer for a snake to digest a meal is if it's an oversized meal for them. A hopper is as big a meal for it's size as a jumbo rat may be for an adult. Get what I'm saying?

I do know though, that some people allow an extra day or two for guinea pigs to digest because I once read they have thicker skulls so it may take a bit longer to digest.

[Ddub]

Sounds like you have it figured out! Good luck!

[KORBIN5895]

Have you ever done a side by side comparison? Do you keep feeding records of your animals? Does metabolism not slow down for most animals as they age? Where's your evidence to the contrary?

Dude your wrong.

If a snake eats a rat as big around as the snake it will take the same amount of time no matter what the size of the snake. Hence why people recommend feeding a rat that leaves a bulge that lasts 3-4 days regardless of age.

Also if you ask for my proof I can have it in two weeks when I feed everyone again.

Now please.post your proof.

@Aaron

Most boas in captivity are terribly obese. Just look at that female sunglow I had ( I haven't tanned the hide yet so no wallets ). Boas are very active in the wild and are semi arboreal. People take these curious and active snakes and put them in a 4'x2'x1' ( or if they are generous 18" tall) enclosures. The snakes seldom get out and have no stimulation. So they become these obese tubbies that are fed fatty animals because guineas are just about the perfect size. People aren't willing to try and find the right size rabbits to feed.

Personally I would love to set up a 4' cube enclosure for my breeding pairs but I am not at that place yet. So I do feed whenever I remember and try to let them out as much as possible. I used to put leah up on my banister and let her balance. It helped tone her up quite a bit.

[Ddub]

So you're saying that metabolism doesn't slow down as animals ages past a certain point?

[KORBIN5895]

A snakes metabolism is mostly controlled the temperature.

So your saying that an older snake has a slower metabolism? Why?Are suggesting this because that's how mammals work?

[Ddub]

The only reason I asked for proof is because I was called out by someone who admittedly "not an expert" on such things. Ultimately I don't care how fast rats digest and have no desire to ague. I've been at this for 30 years and have a system that work for me as many of you do. The op asked for advice on when to slow down. I gave advice along with my reasonings based on my observations. Take it or leave it. This is one reason I don't like to get involved with discussions and stick to posting pics! Good luck with all your observations and feedings!

[Jendee]

I like that Kevins point that boas are semi aboreal. They truely are I have a pvc pole in all my x2x18 they use the poles often at night in the days closer to feeding when they are in hunting mode. When you take them out they are always on their way up..
But I still wouldnt call them active, i wouldnt call any snake active they conserve enerjy unless on the move for a "need" hunger, water, temp change..
And I love your guys feeding so lightly that is awesome!! Infact i think I feed the heaviest here which is amazing because Ive been told I starve my boas haha. Great to see guys!! *high five* getting rid of fat boas one at a time ;)
And i may agree with the age metabolism thing...a little bit but more extreme that Ddub is stating...like of course a senior metabolism is going to slow down..but I dont think a neonate to say a 5 yr old takes any longer to digest their food.

[Ddub]

I like that Kevins point that boas are semi aboreal. They truely are I have a pvc pole in all my x2x18 they use the poles often at night in the days closer to feeding when they are in hunting mode. When you take them out they are always on their way up..
But I still wouldnt call them active, i wouldnt call any snake active they conserve enerjy unless on the move for a "need" hunger, water, temp change..
And I love your guys feeding so lightly that is awesome!! Infact i think I feed the heaviest here which is amazing because Ive been told I starve my boas haha. Great to see guys!! *high five* getting rid of fat boas one at a time ;)
And i may agree with the age metabolism thing...a little bit but more extreme that Ddub is stating...like of course a senior metabolism is going to slow down..but I dont think a neonate to say a 5 yr old takes any longer to digest their food.

I never mentioned that there was a HUGE difference and gave no indications of age. It was a general statement that they slow down with age. Is there anyone here that has raised more than a couple boas from neonate to 8+ years, keeps feeding records on your main collection, and feeds as food is needed rather than a tight schedule, or even just experiment around and record your findings? I realize i may be in the minority here, but try fasting a neonate and a 5 year adult for a month and get them good and cleaned out, then feed them and see which one poops first. The difference is not huge but then again neither is the difference between a 10 day feeding schedule and a 14 day. If you feed on a tight schedule as most folks do and never fast them for any reason it's unlikely you will happen upon such an observation.

[Jendee]

Ive had a rather large collection for over 10 yrs now. I do keep records but have never played with it. Or experimented with a feeding system . After sitting here pondering...I kinda agree more. Just because...say Im out of frozen feeders, havent ordered yet or whatever adults can go a several months without it being an issue (not saying they have just saying they can I had to put adult boas Ive purchased an extreme diets) but a baby couldnt go what 6-8 wks before you start seeing body condition declining..the only answer to this would be a difference in metabolism....
Id still like to know who you are??

[Ddub]

Ive had a rather large collection for over 10 yrs now. I do keep records but have never played with it. Or experimented with a feeding system . After sitting here pondering...I kinda agree more. Just because...say Im out of frozen feeders, havent ordered yet or whatever adults can go a several months without it being an issue (not saying they have just saying they can I had to put adult boas Ive purchased an extreme diets) but a baby couldnt go what 6-8 wks before you start seeing body condition declining..the only answer to this would be a difference in metabolism....
Id still like to know who you are??

Lol, my name is David, im from NOLA! You're in many of the same fb groups as me so that's probably where you know me from. RI and rtb.net too.

[Jendee]

Ooohhhh well thats where i recongize the pictures from haha i was beginning to be serious suspect lols

[Ddub]

Ooohhhh well thats where i recongize the pictures from haha i was beginning to be serious suspect lols

Lol, yeah I'm me. I actually busted someone on the boa keepers group the other day for stealing and posting pics saying the boa was theirs. Sad that people do that.

[ReticMan123]

Lol how did this become an argument on how long digestion takes?? I think that everyone uses relative terms such as appropriate size meals and large rats hoppers and
Colossal rabbits. When what's important is the weight of the prey vs the weight and age of the snake. Obviously since a young hatchling is consuming more than its
Body weight sometimes in month where an adult takes its body weight in maybe 6'months. I believe the digestion slows a bit but more due to te fact that a young snake is using more of its preys nutrients and fats to where an adult who is fully grown is not. Then comes in the factor of bcc va bci feeding. Retic and Burma male and female!!! There's so much and it's sooo confusing lol. To each his own

[Ddub]

Lol how did this become an argument on how long digestion takes??

Lol, I made the unpopular claim that older boas take longer to digest! I never thought keeping meticulous records and sharing my findings would ever get me into trouble, but...

I think you're wrong here. I'm no expert on these types of things but I still think you're wrong.


Dude your wrong.

Also if you ask for my proof I can have it in two weeks when I feed everyone again.

I'm curious, do either of you keep feeding records? These statements make me think you do not. Does anyone besides Jendee and I keep records on your boas? If you don't keep records then how do you arrive at such conclusions? Do you really think a mere 2 week observation of your boa's feeding process will yield enough reliable information support such a claim?

[KORBIN5895]

Lol, I made the unpopular claim that older boas take longer to digest! I never thought keeping meticulous records and sharing my findings would ever get me into trouble, but...






I'm curious, do either of you keep feeding records? These statements make me think you do not. Does anyone besides Jendee and I keep records on your boas? If you don't keep records then how do you arrive at such conclusions? Do you really think a mere 2 week observation of your boa's feeding process will yield enough reliable information support such a claim?

Since when did when a snake poop have anything to do with its digestion rate or metabolism? A member on here has a viper that poops just a couple times a year. Does that mean it took nine months to digest a mouse? No it doesn't. Pooping really has nothing to do with how fast a rodent is digested.

Pretty much all of my boas poop once a month. Do I keep records? No, that sounds Like work and I work enough without keeping tabs on what they ate and when they poop.

[Ddub]

Do I keep records? No, that sounds Like work and I work enough without keeping tabs on what they ate and when they poop.

Nuff said. You know, if you did keep records and had differing results from mine I could accept that, but there is no point arguing the merits of good record keeping of your collection to someone who feels a simple check in a box with a date is too much work! We will just have to agree to disagree.

And I must just have the most regular boas on the planet. I get a turd for every prey item I feed.

[Jack C]

My boa has a serious feeding response so after a couple of months I notice he wasn't going at the rats so intensely, so I started feeding him less frequently as a sign he wasn't so hungry now at just around the two week mark he is striking like he did at the start.
So maybe your snakes will show you, like mine did when to stretch out the feeding schedule.

[KORBIN5895]

Nuff said. You know, if you did keep records and had differing results from mine I could accept that, but there is no point arguing the merits of good record keeping of your collection to someone who feels a simple check in a box with a date is too much work! We will just have to agree to disagree.

And I must just have the most regular boas on the planet. I get a turd for every prey item I feed.

So is this about how often a snake poops or is it still about how fast a snake digests its prey? You're starting to muddy the waters....

[Ddub]

So is this about how often a snake poops or is it still about how fast a snake digests its prey? You're starting to muddy the waters....

Seriously? This conversation is serving absolutely no purpose. You feel the way you do and that's that. I don't care to change your mind even if I were capable of doing so. It just doesn't matter to me. I have already agreed to disagree with you, what more is there?

[KORBIN5895]

Seriously? This conversation is serving absolutely no purpose. You feel the way you do and that's that. I don't care to change your mind even if I were capable of doing so. It just doesn't matter to me. I have already agreed to disagree with you, what more is there?

I accept your concession.

[Ddub]

I accept your concession.

I never conceded defeat. Just the overwhelming disire to stop arguing with a brick wall that has no empirical evidence to support any of his claims. After looking at some of your other posts here it seems you have quite a penchant for pointless argument. Good luck to you sir! This is the last I will post in this thread.

[KORBIN5895]

I never conceded defeat. Just the overwhelming disire to stop arguing with a brick wall that has no empirical evidence to support any of his claims. After looking at some of your other posts here it seems you have quite a penchant for pointless argument. Good luck to you sir! This is the last I will post in this thread.

Name calling and stalking already?

[marvelfreak]

Name calling and stalking already?
Are you taking your meds young man? lol :)
For me it depends on the time of year. From April to Oct every two to three weeks. From Nov to April every 4 to 5 weeks. I us to do every two weeks year round but after going over my feed records for the last couple years i noticed i was throwing out a lot of uneaten rats. I noticed that during winter they just don't seem to want to eat as much. Even with spacing the feedings out more some of my older one still won't eat. I blame it on breeding season.

[KORBIN5895]

Heck no!! Why would I do that?

[Aaron_S]

Lol, I made the unpopular claim that older boas take longer to digest! I never thought keeping meticulous records and sharing my findings would ever get me into trouble, but...






I'm curious, do either of you keep feeding records? These statements make me think you do not. Does anyone besides Jendee and I keep records on your boas? If you don't keep records then how do you arrive at such conclusions? Do you really think a mere 2 week observation of your boa's feeding process will yield enough reliable information support such a claim?


You've been asked to show your records so why not show us all these records you claim as your information?

Personally, I have records. My rodents are bought at specific weight of 150 - 175 grams for my adult snakes. This is 10 percent of weight of the adults who get them. I weigh the rats so this isn't off. (Yes my supplier hates me).

I have established middle aged to senior snakes. I have ball pythons who have not slowed down their metabolism. I have 13 year old females who still eat and breed just as well as they did when I first got them years upon years ago.

Jendee, I don't see a metabolism issue with large snakes compared to baby snakes. 10 grams lost on a large snake is a drop in the bucket, and 10 gram loss on a baby could be 10% of it's total weight. Has nothing to do with metabolism, just size difference.

These are my observations over the last 15 years so you can take it or suck it.

[Ddub]

You've been asked to show your records so why not show us all these records you claim as your information?

Personally, I have records. My rodents are bought at specific weight of 150 - 175 grams for my adult snakes. This is 10 percent of weight of the adults who get them. I weigh the rats so this isn't off. (Yes my supplier hates me).

Jendee, I don't see a metabolism issue with large snakes compared to baby snakes. 10 grams lost on a large snake is a drop in the bucket, and 10 gram loss on a baby could be 10% of it's total weight. Has nothing to do with metabolism, just size difference.

Who ever said anything about there being an issue with large snake metabolisms vs neonates? Nobody even said there was a big difference in the digestion rates.

Are you even talking about boas? If so then that would mean your adults are all under 4 lbs and taking smaller than most large rats? Are they from one of the island races?

As for not showing proof, would it really change your mind if I did? Personally I doubt it.

[Aaron_S]

Who ever said anything about there being an issue with large snake metabolisms vs neonates? Nobody even said there was a big difference in the digestion rates.

Are you even talking about boas? If so then that would mean your adults are all under 4 lbs and taking smaller than most large rats? Are they from one of the island races?

As for not showing proof, would it really change your mind if I did? Personally I doubt it.

All your editing and short memory won't save you.

Here you go...

Obviously it takes an adult longer to digest a jumbo or whatever than it does a baby to digest a hopper. The larger the prey item the longer it takes.

You brought up the difference between an adult and neonate in your first explanation so don't go trying to point fingers elsewhere.

Secondly, I have over 15 years experience. I currently keep ball pythons but I've kept boas as well but never bred them. So all my observations are from that time.

If you had proof, which you obviously don't, could sway me. I'm an open-minded guy.

[Ddub]

..........

[ReticMan123]

Aaron. You say you feed 150 grams is 10 percent? What kind of boa and how much do they weigh? How often are you feeding?