Feeding frequency?

Kashy · 07-22-18, 08:25 PM

Hi everyone. I posted earlier in may about a 2 year old boa I recently got. His previous owner didn't feed him well and cited regurgitation issues in the first few weeks of ownership and so when I got the boa, he was emaciated with all of the ribs showing and a lot of stuck shed. His previous owner also claimed in the history sheet that the boa is a BCC, though I think he might be a mix. In any case, when I got him he was at 240 grams at the age of almost 2 years. I've had him for about 5 months now and he's 409 grams at 2 years and 3 months. I started him on medium mice once a week and after 2 months started him on adult mice once a week and he's gained a lot of muscle tone and his ribs are no longer visible. All of the stuck shed has also come off from regular baths with shed ease. He's had one successful shed after this. Anyway, I kept him on adult mice for 3 months once a week with the advice of BSG and Riddick. The adult mice averaged around 22 grams each. My local petstore didn't have any sizes in between adult mice and small rats which average around 40 grams each so I kept giving adult mice until a 40 gram rat would be below 10% of his body weight. Last week for the first time I gave him a small rat and he ate it with no problems. Should i keep him on a small rat once a week schedule still or switch him to a 10/14 day schedule now?

PS: he is a lot more active now and seems a lot healthier than before. He used to be really lethargic but now he's decently active and curious. Thanks for all of the help!

ClockwerkBonnet · 07-23-18, 12:04 AM

I'm curious to know what you mean by "small rats," but if the snake can handle them, go ahead and begin feeding it those once a week or so.

richardhind · 07-23-18, 01:33 AM

on small rats i would move to 14 days now as they have a higher fat content than mice

craigafrechette · 07-23-18, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClockwerkBonnet

I'm curious to know what you mean by "small rats," but if the snake can handle them, go ahead and begin feeding it those once a week or so.

The OP stated that the small rats are approx 40 grams.

And I'm not trying to be rude, but you have limited experience with 1 underfed Kingsnake. Maybe it's best to learn more before offering advice. Putting a boa that small on a diet of small rats weekly would lead to a very unhealthy, obese animal in no time.

craigafrechette · 07-23-18, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardhind

on small rats i would move to 14 days now as they have a higher fat content than mice

^^^ this ^^^ is good advice

ClockwerkBonnet · 07-23-18, 07:39 AM

Thanks Craig. I'm sorry I screwed up.

craigafrechette · 07-23-18, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClockwerkBonnet

Thanks Craig. I'm sorry I screwed up.

I hope you understand I'm not trying to be rude. It's simply for the benefit of the animals. In a world where misinformation can spread so quickly I just think it's best to only share what you have experience with and are confident in your knowledge.
It's perfectly ok to offer opinions, but might be best to stick to what's within your experience level.
I personally know nothing about breeding, for example, so I don't offer advice there, or anywhere I don't have the knowledge to do so responsibly.

I hope you understand. It's all about what's best for the animals.

Kashy · 07-23-18, 11:59 AM

Thanks guys. I'll move him up to every 14 days. Should I expect the little guy to catch up in size to his potential or will he be a little smaller down the line? What has your experience been?

bigsnakegirl785 · 07-23-18, 12:25 PM

Yup, I'd go to 14 days.

Glad to hear he's turned around! They tend to make a quick recovery once they start keeping meals down. Sounds like whatever was causing the regurges with the previous owner was due to keeper error...

He's only 2 years old, he has plenty of time to grow. I've seen much much older snakes than him be a lot more stunted and still attain average sizes. It just might take them longer to get there.

kazz · 07-23-18, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kashy

he was at 240 grams at the age of almost 2 years.

omg.

I have 1.5 year carpet python. She is 500 g. Carpet's are much smaller snakes than your boa.

kazz · 07-23-18, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kashy

I'll move him up to every 14 days.

I'd feed him every week. your snake is really small.

Kashy · 07-23-18, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazz

omg.

I have 1.5 year carpet python. She is 500 g. Carpet's are much smaller snakes than your boa.

True, however my boa was raised in less than ideal circumstances and as such his growth has been stunted. He's gained almost 200 grams over the past 3 months alone so I'm not worried about his size too much. I'm afraid that weekly feedings on small rats that's are 10% of his bodyweight will result in unhealthy growth. At the end of the day, while I do want him to reach his potential size, having a healthy snake is more important for me. I don't want to take him from one extreme where he was emaciated with his last owner and then power feed him.

**EL Ziggy** · 07-23-18, 11:21 PM

It sounds like you've got a good plan of action Kash. Best wishes with the new boa.

kazz · 07-24-18, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazz

omg.

I have 1.5 year carpet python. She is 500 g. Carpet's are much smaller snakes than your boa.

it's really weird to correct myself but my carpet python is 1 year old. Sorry.
But it's make things even more obvious.

kazz · 07-24-18, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kashy

I'm afraid that weekly feedings on small rats that's are 10% of his bodyweight will result in unhealthy growth.

Correct me experienced keepers if I am wrong but I think snake is ok if it's not
obese.
We all know signs of obese and can prevent it.
My snake is growing and takes 30% food and looks great. No obese at all.