thoughts

[kjay]

hi, i just got a bci 4-5 days ago i did my research before hand, i was wondering your thoughts on size influence through feeding.
I want to limit size somewhat,not interested in hugeness
what feeding frequency would help limit its size within reason, of coarse i do know it varies from snake to snake, do we have any control over slowing growth, i am aware people power feed for optimal growth, is there a safe healthy way to minize growth within reason,

if it does get bigger than anticipated i am prepared to house and create a good home. thanks for your help

[HeatherRose]

So...you're looking to feed it less so it doesn't grow?

[kjay]

i am not wanting to feed it less if it is unhealthy , i am trying to find out what if any there is a way to manipulate growth in the opposite idea of peole who powerfeed, without risking any health. i would never wait more than 7 days as a hatchling, but i was wondering if item size would help keep this guy in the 6 foot range,

[Bartman]

I dont see why people are always quick to just start yelling. From what I understand is he basically wants to know whats the least amount of times you can feed the boa, so depending on how big it is, usually once a week to once every 2 weeks, and ive seen healthy adults go on one jumbo rat a month (males)

How big is your boa, as I think that thats very important to know.

I personally feed my boa who was born on march 03, so hes about a year and a half old and I give him a med rat every 2 weeks. As I too dont want to power feed as I have no interest in a "giant" male and would like him to stay at about 6 feet.

[kjay]

thanks bartman, your correct some people just like to sit back and pounce,

i have a hatchling about 12-14 inches . i to am not looking to see how big i can make this snake, or how fast i can get it to breed, i am looking to have it look lean strong healthy and manageable. If i wanted a huge snake i would have bought an anaconda. i was at a show in taylor on the weekend and i saw some bci that to me did not look good because they were way to big, i perfer the leaner smaller look, just my opinion.

[BOA68]

You can definitly limit size by monitoring feedings. You should feed a baby every 7 days for the first year. However after your snake is about 3 or 4 ft you can stretch him to 2 weeks. My advise is one food item every 7 days that is no thicker than the thickest part of the snakes body. For a young snake a fuzzy and as it grows move to regular mice. I have fed BCI mice until they are a year old. If you want to keep him small stay off rats as long as possible. The more you feed it the faster it will grow. This may not influence the snakes total adult length, but it will keep him from being overweight and it will make him grow slower, so it won't reach its adult length as quick as if u fed him a lot. This is actually healthier for your snake. Slow growth is best.

PS. If it is a male he probably won't get much bigger than 6ft anyway.

[Matt_K]

Originally posted by Bartman
I personally feed my boa who was born on march 03, so hes about a year and a half old and I give him a med rat every 2 weeks. As I too dont want to power feed as I have no interest in a "giant" male and would like him to stay at about 6 feet.

So, you think that by feeding your snake every 14 days instead of every 7, you're slowing down it's growth rate??? I suggest you do a search for one of Linds' post on her female BCI named 'Chasey'..

When I had Chasey here, she was being fed once every 10 days. Linds has her on a feeding scheduale of every 14 or so days and that snake is now 6'.. Chasey is the same age as your male I believe too, Bartman.

-Matt

[HeatherRose]

So...you're looking to feed it less so it doesn't grow?

This ^^^^ is yelling and pouncing? Hardly. I was getting clarification. LOL. You guys are so frigging sensitive.

As I too dont want to power feed as I have no interest in a "giant" male and would like him to stay at about 6 feet.

How is feeding your snake once a week 'powerfeeding'?

And if you're not interested in a 'giant' snake, why didn't you stick to Ball Pythons or Corn snakes? The reason I don't own any large boa constrictors is their size.

You can't MAKE your snake a certain size, it's all in their genetic makeup.

[Matt_K]

Originally posted by BOA68
You can definitly limit size by monitoring feedings.

Did you mean to say limit growth rate?? How can you limit size????

[Linds]

Yup, like Matt said, Chasey has always been on a slow-and-steady feeding schedule, and at 27 months of age, she has already passed the 6.5' mark. Matt had her from neonate til she was 8 months of age, at which point I aquired her. Boas generally don't need as much food to thrive as some people believe.

A snake's size is, for the most part, genetically predetermined. Even if you underfeed in an effort to stunt their growth, they will just have a slower rate of growth, but eventually should catch up, unless they are severely deprived. Illness and early breedings can also stunt a snake's growth, as it would stunt any other animal's development. If you want a snake that is of certain size, go for a sub/species that attains the desired size on average.

[RepTylE]

The myth that you can stunt an animal persists I guess. I don't undertsand the thought process of buying an animal that you know is going to grow to a certain size range then hope to limit it's potential to suit an ideal.
I am not into huge snakes myself but then I consider 12 feet to be the lower range of what I'd consider big. My Suri is now a bit over 6 1/2 feet and she is so sweet tempered that I don't consider her big.
I realise that you are just making an inquiry probably based on simple curiosity but at the same time some criticism is going to come your way so I hope that you are thick skinned.

[Matt_K]

Originally posted by RepTylE
The myth that you can stunt an animal persists I guess. I don't undertsand the thought process of buying an animal that you know is going to grow to a certain size range then hope to limit it's potential to suit an ideal.

Stop Yelling!!!

-Matt

[RepTylE]

sorry

[kjay]

i guess the operative word was growth rate, the way i have it written sounds like i am trying to come up with my own mini morph, growth rate,, didnt mean to get all you good peole flustered , no worries no one is offending me, i would rather know pros and cons what ever is best to keep the snake safe and healthy, no worries thats why i put thoughts, all critques are welcomed, we all have a common goal, i appreciate all who take the time to write

[Bartman]

Yea I guess what I too meant was "limiting" his size. I fully understand he will hit 6 feet, and that’s what I said I don’t mind him getting to.

And no, power feeding isn’t once a week, but what I was thinking is the big boa's at work that get fed jumbos once a week when they could EASILY go once every 3 weeks or even month. I also find that if you fed them not as often, there appetites are much better.

I just don’t want an 8 foot male, which is why I got a male so he'd stay more around 6, but either way it doesn’t matter. Just personal preference.