Retic food

babyboa97 · 10-23-13, 06:18 PM

Well, I have this beautiful baby reticulated python. It is feeding fantastically on rat pups as big around as he/her. But I had someone tell me that a rat pup is not much of a meal for the snake. What do you think a 2.5 feet long baby retic should eat? Thank you in advance

SSSSnakes · 10-23-13, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyboa97

Well, I have this beautiful baby reticulated python. It is feeding fantastically on rat pups as big around as he/her. But I had someone tell me that a rat pup is not much of a meal for the snake. What do you think a 2.5 feet long baby retic should eat? Thank you in advance

Rat pups are fine for the snake at this point, but you should move up to larger size rats when you can. The larger rats have more bone development for more calcium.

Lankyrob · 10-24-13, 02:33 AM

Not had a full retic, just as SD but it was feeding prey around 2-3 times the snakes girth, personally i would say something the same girth woukd be too small

Sublimeballs · 10-24-13, 03:04 AM

As little youngsters they are quite thin and long. I'd suggest 1.5-2 Xs girth if you don't want the little guy growing too fast, and 2-3Xs girth for a good full meal. I'm always amazed how fast my female will digest meals multiple times her girth, in 2 days she's pretty much back to normal. While other snakes,with the same size meal, take up to 5 days to look normal again.