Prey size - Version 2.1

stlphotogal · 09-03-10, 11:50 AM

We've been feeding our BP (appx. 3.5' long and about 2" around at his widest point) a small (about 60g) rat once per week. He gobbles it right down and then appears to still be hungry. I went to PetCo (our only local source for larger rats) and found a 'medium' size rate (100g) and about 1.5" around. My DH is worried that this rat is too big for our guy but I think the prey is appropriately sized. I don't feel like he's getting enough with the small rat (there is no discernable bump in his body after feeding). At night when we are in the room with him he will sit with his head out of the hide watching us, it's pretty funny actually, but I think he's hungry. What are your thoughts on the prey size/feeding schedule? He's been eating once per week like clockwork but I just don't want to underfeed him. Thanks, in advance, for the advice!

shaunyboy · 09-03-10, 11:55 AM

i personally don't believe all the one and a half times the girth of the snake etc theorys.

i firmly believe that if a prey item is too big the snake will know itself and not eat it.

you would be surprized at what a snake can manage to eat.

imo go for it with the bigger item,your snake will know best.

cheers shaun

Freebody · 09-03-10, 12:08 PM

i would recoment finding a rodent breeder and have PF rats shipped to you, its got to be a hell of alot cheeper than petco.

stlphotogal · 09-03-10, 02:19 PM

I got the medium one from Petco as more of a test for our guy than anything - I wanted to make sure he could take larger prey before I ordered online - that being said, it was $9.XX and I am certain i can get it cheaper online. What are some of the good mail order ones?

presspirate · 09-03-10, 02:44 PM

I have to agree with Shaun, the snake will know what size prey it can eat. My adult male BP that I had was eating 1 jumbo f/t rat about once every 3 weeks. He'd have it pretty well digested in 2-3 days and on the forth day.... woah look out brother.

stlphotogal · 09-07-10, 08:59 AM

Well we fed Friday night and while it seemed large for him when we put it in the cage he struck immediately and had it all down within 10-15 mins. He hibernated on Sat and Sun and was finally out and about yesterday. It seems that he's good with that size so we'll see if we can stretch his feeding schedule out a bit (he'd been eating between every 5-7 days with the smaller prey). Thanks for the advice

Will0W783 · 09-07-10, 09:02 AM

They can indeed handle large prey items. $9.00 for a medium rat is ridiculous- you can get them frozen online or at reptile shows for $3-4.00. Rodent Pro offers good deals, but the shipping is expensive so it isn't worth it unless you can buy a lot at once. And you generally do not want to buy more than you can use up in 2 months.

presspirate · 09-07-10, 09:14 AM

You can get a 3 pack of large rats at petco here for $9 but if I drive a little farther, I can get them at a reptile shop for $2 a piece. She gets them from a local breeder

Freebody · 09-07-10, 01:16 PM

i read you can keep them in the freezer for up to 1 year just like food we eat, i would not push for a year tho, i buy 6-7 months tops and i try to buy lots of what its eating and a few of the size it will take after that , worst thing could happen and its didnt grow as fast as you planned and you buy a few more until they take the bigger ones.

dragunov.762 · 09-08-10, 06:05 AM

as far as food goes i wait for the local reptile show where rodentpro has a booth and i buy it there. check and see when the local exo is in your area and try getting food from them it is much cheaper than the pet stores or online

percey39 · 09-08-10, 11:54 PM

Firstly i agree with Shaun, snakes will know themselves if food items are too big and wont eat it. I feed two of my yearling pythons XXL rats and even XXXL. The prey items would look way too big for people who have not seen these guys eat, but they eat these quite easily and im looking to maybe upsize to rabbits that are slightly bigger. These are species that grow fairly large though, but when looking at your snakes head double the width and generally thats a pretty good prey size.
Online will be your cheapest bet for food if you are not willing to breed rats yourself.

stlphotogal · 09-09-10, 03:03 PM

Wish I had the stomach for breeding the rats myself but I just don't - I know, it's hypocritical to feed f/t and not be able to "do the dirty work" myself but I just can't. (much like I can happily much on a burger/chicken strips but can't fathom killing the cow/chicken to get said meat). I know this is a big ethical issue and I obviously don't have the cojones to back up my eating/feeding habits...