How big a prey item?

blkjkoknhrt · 07-14-10, 10:14 AM

My 3 1/2 ft (finally got a good measure!) hondo is eating rat pups and it looks like I'm feeding too small a prey item from what I've read here. She pops them down in no time. How big do you go? Is it healthy/important to SSSTREEETCCH your snake?

Nafun · 07-14-10, 10:18 AM

The largest single prey item that she won't have to struggle to get down.

infernalis · 07-14-10, 10:38 AM

What Nafun just said, try one size up, and if it goes down without a huge struggle, then it's OK.

Jenn_06 · 07-14-10, 10:47 AM

try one size up if you see alittle bump after it ate your good if not up the size again.

dragunov.762 · 07-15-10, 09:34 AM

i have always heard and gone by 1 to 1 and a half times the thickest part or the snake

shaunyboy · 07-15-10, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blkjkoknhrt

My 3 1/2 ft (finally got a good measure!) hondo is eating rat pups and it looks like I'm feeding too small a prey item from what I've read here. She pops them down in no time. How big do you go? Is it healthy/important to SSSTREEETCCH your snake?

after its meal you should see a slight bulge in your snake.takes roughly 3 days to digest their meal,so imo if you see a bit of a bulge and it decreases over a 3 to 5 day period you've got prey size spot on.
cheers shaun

shaunyboy · 07-15-10, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blkjkoknhrt

My 3 1/2 ft (finally got a good measure!) hondo is eating rat pups and it looks like I'm feeding too small a prey item from what I've read here. She pops them down in no time. How big do you go? Is it healthy/important to SSSTREEETCCH your snake?

you could always post some pictures of it eating.would give us an idea of prey size in relation to your hondo.

also we get to see some nice pic's

cheers shaun

blkjkoknhrt · 07-19-10, 11:22 AM

Shaun, take a look at this... <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE_2VkiuRYI>
What do you think? (hope the link works)