2 month update on Athena and some advice

ReticMan123 · 03-02-13, 12:03 PM

Well here she is. So I did weight and measurement today 2 months after I got her. She only grew an inch and about 20 grams. She weighs 130 and 27 inches long. She's been eating a rat pup every week sometime 10 days depending on the weight. The rat pups are about 30 grams. Once she weighs about 180 grams I'm going to give her one a week. Then at about 250 grams I'm gonna give her weaklings (60 grams) every 10 days. Anyway I explained before I feed equivalent of 1/3 body weight until 4 ft then 1/4 then 1/5 at 5 ft then 1/6 at 6 and so on finally cutting bak to 1/10 once she reaches about 8 ft and
Close to max growth. Every 2 weeks. Or for example give an adult 1/5 every month instead. Sorry I just like to be specific. Anyway is she growing normal isn't that a little slow. This is my first bcc. Her habitat seems to be great. 95 on hot side 82 on cool during the day with a drop to no lower than 75 cool side at night. Humidity is good. She hasn't shed yet though how often does that happen. I don't know how old she is at 27 inches I guess about 8 months? Sorry for all the questions but also I have a small space heater in her room to keep up ambient a it runs 24 hours it's a 1000 watt heater. Does that cost a lot to run? I feel like my electric bil Is obserd it was 250 and I live in a one bedroom apartment! And barly run my heat! Anyway I'd like input on all my annoying questions thanks in advance u guys have been great. Is like to see some growth pics as well or bcc to compare

how long until she reaches adult size? Thanks
Mike

ReticMan123 · 03-02-13, 12:04 PM

Another pic of her

ReticMan123 · 03-02-13, 12:05 PM

Blades fake btw

Reptile_Reptile · 03-02-13, 12:08 PM

everything is great except the space heater it dry's the atmosphere in the room making humidity requirements hard to handle. im no expert though so i could be wrong

nicolerae · 03-02-13, 01:47 PM

I have a beautiful red tail that is about 6 months, so fairly close yours. Just over 2 ft now and weighs 229g . We feed her every 7 days. She is currently eating weaned rats, and has shed twice.

Do you notice a bulge in her stomach when she eats? if so how long does is stay? If it goes away in 30mins you need to up the food amount. Instead of focusing on the weight of the food, maybe go by the largest part of her body and feed her accordingly.

Jendee · 03-11-13, 09:24 AM

Over thinking is a good thing. It means your forever looking for better ways to care for your snake!! Bcc are dificult and will teach you to keep your husbandry skills on point at all times

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicolerae

I have a beautiful red tail that is about 6 months, so fairly close yours. Just over 2 ft now and weighs 229g . We feed her every 7 days. She is currently eating weaned rats, and has shed twice.

Do you notice a bulge in her stomach when she eats? if so how long does is stay? If it goes away in 30mins you need to up the food amount. Instead of focusing on the weight of the food, maybe go by the largest part of her body and feed her accordingly.

A 6 month old boa on weaned rats is an over fed boa in my opinion. My yearlings(2012)most of them on medium mice, a few on rats pups. My (2011) just got put on small rats.
To the OP be very cautious when feeding your baby if you play it safe you will never have problems

nick654377 · 03-11-13, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jendee

Over thinking is a good thing. It means your forever looking for better ways to care for your snake!! Bcc are dificult and will teach you to keep your husbandry skills on point at all times

couldnt agree more

Ddub · 03-11-13, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jendee

Bcc are dificult and will teach you to keep your husbandry skills on point at all times

I wouldn't go so far as to call them difficult as you just need the proper gear to care for them. The ones I keep have been the easiest boas ever! Great attitudes, no regurges, no issues. I have their cages on thermostats and check with a temp gun and have cages that hold heat and humidity well. It stands to reason that I could keep any type of boa in a setup like that just as easily by making minor adjustments so if you have the right equipment, which if you're keeping a boa you should, then its a breeze. Sadly it's the bci's tolerance for substandard conditions that makes bcc seem difficult by comparison.

Jendee · 03-12-13, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ddub

I wouldn't go so far as to call them difficult as you just need the proper gear to care for them. The ones I keep have been the easiest boas ever! Great attitudes, no regurges, no issues. I have their cages on thermostats and check with a temp gun and have cages that hold heat and humidity well. It stands to reason that I could keep any type of boa in a setup like that just as easily by making minor adjustments so if you have the right equipment, which if you're keeping a boa you should, then its a breeze. Sadly it's the bci's tolerance for substandard conditions that makes bcc seem difficult by comparison.

Im going to try and not take that last comment personal...

Ddub · 03-12-13, 06:10 AM

No that wasn't aimed at you, I was talking about the stigma in general that they are difficult animals to keep. Wasn't implying that you give substandard care to your boas. Sorry if it came off that way.

nicolerae · 03-02-13, 01:50 PM

Here is a picture of the size of food she has been eating.

nick654377 · 03-02-13, 01:58 PM

it looks like his is a bcc as to where yours is a bci. bcc are touchy with the size of their food and cannot be powerfed or they will regurge.

nicolerae · 03-02-13, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick654377

it looks like his is a bcc as to where yours is a bci. bcc are touchy with the size of their food and cannot be powerfed or they will regurge.

hmmm good point! Thanks.

Just to be clear though, we don't power feed our snakes. Her largest size of her body is the size of rat we feed...

Ddub · 03-02-13, 03:04 PM

Sounds about right reticman. Mine were all on small rats by their first birthdays. They just grow slower. I have two that are a year and a half old that are around 3.5 feet and several 2.5 year olds that are between 4-5 feet with the females being on the bigger end. You will notice a surge in growth at some point most likely. I usually notice it around the time they hit medium rats. Have patience, she will grow for you!

nick654377 · 03-02-13, 03:57 PM

my male bcc is about 18 months old and is just at 48 inches eating weened rats....