ETB feeding?

Will0W783 · 05-06-09, 09:00 AM

Ok, I have a wonderful tame female ETB about two years old. When I got her she didn't eat for a whole month, then she shed and ate a large f/t mouse on Aril 12. She also ate two weeks later on April 26. I told my fiance not to feed her again until she pooped. This past Sunday we got in a fight so he fed the snakes alone, and he said she was looking for food so he fed her again- May 3, only a week since her last feeding. I'm a bit concerned that it was too much food for her. She looks OK so far, but I hope she doesn't get overwhelmed and ralph it back up. Anyone else have an ETB look for food that often? If she is looking for food should I feed her every time or keep her on a bi-weekly schedule?

**Aaron_S** · 05-10-09, 08:01 PM

How big is she? A single mouse almost seems too little for a 2 year old ETB. I do know that they tend to take smaller meals but still. Although, even though they may be looking for food they still shouldn't be fed too often.

citysnakes · 05-10-09, 09:01 PM

ETBs dont grow very rapidly so if an adult mouse is making a small even barely noticeable lump in your two year old then that should be fine. just dont feed it too often because ETBs are prone to regurgitation syndrome and it can be hard to recover from it(so i have heard). for this reason you shouldnt rush feedings and wait for a defecation after every three feedings.

hope this helps.

Will0W783 · 05-11-09, 06:01 AM

The first meal was an extra-large mouse and it made a slight lump. The second two meals were rat weanlings, a little bigger than adult mice. They made small lumps as well. I told my fiance NO MORE food for her until she poops. She hasn't pooped yet, but I'm going to get her out to exercise a lot this week and if that doesn't work I'll try the warm water soak.

Will0W783 · 05-11-09, 06:02 AM

Oh, she is a little over 3 feet long but very slender, maybe an inch and a half diameter?

citysnakes · 05-11-09, 08:46 AM

i wouldnt worry about trying to get her to poop. just keep the three feeding/one defecation rule in mind and let her chill out. she will go when she is ready.

Will0W783 · 05-12-09, 08:35 AM

Thanks Julian! She didn't eat last night so I figure I will handle her a lot this week, as it doesn't seem to stress her at all. If she doesn't go by the end of the week, I will probably try the warm water soak.

Will0W783 · 05-13-09, 07:27 PM

I was going through my snake room cleaning up poopies and she had a nice one in there! So all is well with my beautiful Esmeralda- eating like a horse, shedding in one piece, and moving out the waste!