Regurgitation

[bigsnakegirl785]

Yeah do cleaning and weights on separate days, even if he’s eating inside the enclosure you’re moving him around too much before feeding him.

I’d argue that keeping tabs on weight and length (to a lesser degree) is an incredibly important part of husbandry. It can show you if you’re feeding too much, too little, and can give you an idea of growth rate. It’s how you gain knowledge of a species and your care of that species.

[scales.jp]

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

... even if he’s eating inside the enclosure you’re moving him around too much before feeding him.

Handling after feeding is often talked about (as was previously discussed in another post), but I hadn't realised handling before feeding was also a no-no. My snake always seems more alert and "warmed-up" after handling, so it seemed a good time to feed him. Guess I was wrong! I'll leave him well alone before feeding from now on.

As for weighing, if I have to move my snake when I clean his enclosure, it doesn't seem like the added step of quickly popping him on the scales to weigh him would add too much stress. Weighing the mouse before feeding takes just a few seconds so I'll keep doing that, at least while my snake is growing.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Originally Posted by scales.jp

Handling after feeding is often talked about (as was previously discussed in another post), but I hadn't realised handling before feeding was also a no-no. My snake always seems more alert and "warmed-up" after handling, so it seemed a good time to feed him. Guess I was wrong! I'll leave him well alone before feeding from now on.

As for weighing, if I have to move my snake when I clean his enclosure, it doesn't seem like the added step of quickly popping him on the scales to weigh him would add too much stress. Weighing the mouse before feeding takes just a few seconds so I'll keep doing that, at least while my snake is growing.

You can do weights and cage cleanings on the same day, just don’t do either on the same day as feeding day. There is no need to weigh the feeders if you’re weighing the snake on an empty stomach. You can either weigh the day before feeding, or wait until after defecation, but you’re adding extra steps by trying to weigh the snake with a full belly and including the food weight.

[scales.jp]

You can either weigh the day before feeding, or wait until after defecation, but you’re adding extra steps by trying to weigh the snake with a full belly and including the food weight.

Yes, that's why I always weighed him before feeding, one week after his last meal. Weighing him after defecation sounds like a good idea. In that case I'll have to clean the cage anyway, and it won't be as often. Thanks for the advice!