Auntie Rachel-Central American B. imperator

dannybgoode · 09-19-16, 11:14 PM

Shows just how long it is since I've posted a proper update on Auntie Rachel-the original thread is now locked out!

She's doing really well-great temperament and getting a lovely body tone to her. At 14 mo she pooped yesterday so I weighed her at 316g. She did get 2 large mice at her last feed in readiness to move to weaner rats.

I know others think this is unnecessary but it does give them the choice to refuse the second serving particularly on the second larger feed if they realised they over did it the first time round. So, she get another 2x large mice on her next feed and assuming she takes them I'll move her to small weaner rats.

Whilst I'm not entirely sold on the high humidity thing (high by my standards for a boa imperator) I have been keeping her humidity in the high 60's low 70's for a few weeks now to see if I notice a difference.

She doesn't seem unhappy at this so I'll continue for now as she does look really good at the moment.

No up to dates measurement but when I next have her out I'll try and get a good photo for SerpWidgets.

JellyBean · 09-19-16, 11:45 PM

She is Beautiful!
I love how her stripe runs right through her eye

dannybgoode · 09-20-16, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JellyBean

She is Beautiful!
I love how her stripe runs right through her eye

I love that too. It's a feature of all boa constructors and imperators. Even the morphs seem to have it but in the same colour as the morphed makings.

JellyBean · 09-20-16, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

I love that too. It's a feature of all boa constructors and imperators. Even the morphs seem to have it but in the same colour as the morphed makings.

One of my favorite sayings? "You learn something new everyday"
I just went on a stroll through the boa section, looking at all the pics and looking for the stripes...

Thank you, I like these little chats we have.

P.S. Yours still has the prettiest stripe ;-)

**Tsubaki** · 09-20-16, 09:10 AM

Glad to know she's doing alright! she's looking good

dave himself · 09-20-16, 10:35 AM

She looks sweet Danny

macandchz · 09-20-16, 11:37 AM

she looks like a very contented snake. it was probably the 2 mice that made her look that way. hey, when you feed 2 mice do you give the snake a chance to swallow the 1st or do you just immediately feed the other one? i've never given mac 2 mice in a feed. i use a feeding box and when mac's done he extends his neck up. that's my signal he's done and i put him back in his tank.

dannybgoode · 09-20-16, 12:24 PM

Personally don't bother with a feed box. Added stress imo but I'm sure we've discussed this previously.

She only gets two of a smaller prey item twice assuming she doesn't refuse the second item at any point and yes I'll give her a good 15-30 mins to fully consume the first one.

After she has successfully eaten 2x smaller prey twice in succession (which so far she hasn't failed to do straight off the bat) then I move her up to 1x the next pretty 2 size up. In her case she'll get another 2x large mice and assuming no issues week be on to small weaner rats.

dannybgoode · 09-20-16, 12:25 PM

Oh and thank you everyone for your kind words. She's a very special snake for a number of reasons-not least is that she is the last gift (Christmas '15) that my mum gave me before she died.

JellyBean · 09-20-16, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

She's a very special snake for a number of reasons-not least is that she is the last gift (Christmas '15) that my mum gave me before she died.

Awww, Sorry about your Mom.
Very special indeed

dannybgoode · 09-20-16, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JellyBean

Awww, Sorry about your Mom.
Very special indeed

Thanks JB.

With regards to the hobby and learning I guess that's what attracts me to it. I generally get drawn to hobbies that have a high degree of learning-drives my wife mad that I'm in to so many things!

bigsnakegirl785 · 09-20-16, 08:33 PM

I generally advise against multiple prey items even if the combined weight is less than the goal rodent in mind. Snakes are meant to digest prey in a specific way, their digestive juices are strongest in the very beginning to aid in digesting the head, which means when it gets to the second mouse the juices have already been depleted some or they have to ramp it back up. Which is very consuming on their bodies. They essentially go from zero digestive activity and within the space of a few hours they go into hyperdrive for lack of a better term, whereas a mammal such as ourselves always have digestive juices ready to go.

I've also noticed that multiple prey items, even when the weight is less than the goal rodent in mind, results in more extreme length and girth growth.

For these reasons I prefer to stay on a single smaller prey item until they can take the next size up. Less stressful on their bodies, and better for their health in the long run. This is mainly for boas, I have a strict protocol in place for them, but I'm fairly lenient with my pythons.

dannybgoode · 09-20-16, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

I generally advise against multiple prey items even if the combined weight is less than the goal rodent in mind. Snakes are meant to digest prey in a specific way, their digestive juices are strongest in the very beginning to aid in digesting the head, which means when it gets to the second mouse the juices have already been depleted some or they have to ramp it back up. Which is very consuming on their bodies. They essentially go from zero digestive activity and within the space of a few hours they go into hyperdrive for lack of a better term, whereas a mammal such as ourselves always have digestive juices ready to go.

I've also noticed that multiple prey items, even when the weight is less than the goal rodent in mind, results in more extreme length and girth growth.

For these reasons I prefer to stay on a single smaller prey item until they can take the next size up. Less stressful on their bodies, and better for their health in the long run. This is mainly for boas, I have a strict protocol in place for them, but I'm fairly lenient with my pythons.

I did consider this but have also spoken with the breeder (40 odd years experience) and they had equally strongly of the opinion that only when moving up a size feed 2x smaller prey a couple of times to give the snake the option to refuse the second item.

In their experience snakes have sometimes took both items the first feed but refused the second item the second time around or resurged one of the items the first time because their eyes were bigger than their belly so to speak (don't know if you have that saying in the States).

If either of these things happen then you hold of for a few feeds before trying again.

They nor I are advocating feeding multiple items over a prolonged period. Perhaps 3 feeds at most to be sure that the snake is ready and capable of 1x larger prey.

This I guess is a matter of balancing two views both with credible and sound reasoning and having to decide which to go with...

bigsnakegirl785 · 09-21-16, 02:01 AM

Even those few feedings can make a large difference, as I've learned with my retic and saw with Sanji. A boa can grow just fine eating a smaller meal, after all when they're in between sizes they only have to put on a tiny bit of size.

I personally wouldn't take the chance of a regurge quite so lightly, if feeding multiple prey items is well known to cause regurges it seems a bit ill advised to do it anyway. Regurges are hard on their systems and if they get into a loop of regurges it can kill them quickly. All around a risk I wouldn't advise you take if you can help it. Even if it is on the owner's part accidentally feeding too much - that's difficult to determine while doing it.

dannybgoode · 09-21-16, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

Even those few feedings can make a large difference, as I've learned with my retic and saw with Sanji. A boa can grow just fine eating a smaller meal, after all when they're in between sizes they only have to put on a tiny bit of size.

I personally wouldn't take the chance of a regurge quite so lightly, if feeding multiple prey items is well known to cause regurges it seems a bit ill advised to do it anyway. Regurges are hard on their systems and if they get into a loop of regurges it can kill them quickly. All around a risk I wouldn't advise you take if you can help it. Even if it is on the owner's part accidentally feeding too much - that's difficult to determine while doing it.

I think you miss the point on regurges. This is to ensure that the animal is absolutely capable of taking the larger meal. Better time regurge a small one then a large one and at no point have I remotely suggested that multiple prey increases the chance of a regurge or is known to increase the chance and I don't believe this to be the case. I wouldn't do it if I thought it did.

This is about being cautious when moving up a prey size. To categorically state this is the wrong method is short sighted imo as there are sound reasons for doing this. These guys have been keeping and breeding snakes for far longer than you or I and are recognised as one of the uk's leading reptile sellers when it comes to ethics and animal welfare.

Absolutely you're entitled to your opinion and I take on board a lot of what you and other experienced boa keepers say on various matters as it has been invaluable knowledge to me but occasional I feel that opinion is stated with the implication it's fact and this could prevent someone from looking at other sources and considering other, contrary points of view.

As it happens the breeder pushes his boas along a little quicker than you or I do. Not much quicker and certainly not into the realms of power feeding but leaves them on a 7-10 day feed cycle for longer than has been suggested by you and others and that's one area I disagree with the breeder.