Bitting - Page 2

psow · 12-25-09, 11:11 AM

I keep a detailed record on excell program on the dates the snake ate, shed dates and even poop date. With keeping several types of snakes, documenting everything answers a lot of questions about each snake. It also shows patterns. In the data mine shows size of feeding item and amount eaten, so I can see when the snake graduated up to different size items, like eating med size rats to know eating med/large rats.
It takes a bit of time to set up, but once it is done and customized to your set up you will be glad you took the time.
THE RETICULATED PYTHON

Hillsberry · 12-25-09, 11:21 AM

Yes, 12 pinkies. Willow do you think I should only move up to fuzzies. I mean I am not sure if I should move up to a full size mouse yet. He is only 22 inches. I mean his head is big at all. Should I only move him up to a fuzzie or go larger?

Hillsberry · 12-25-09, 11:24 AM

I do have the dates I feed him and when he shed. He sheds about every week. Is that because he is young and he is just growing really fast?

Smilts · 12-25-09, 11:32 AM

Ive never fed any animals 12 prey items at one time and cant think of a reason to do so. Either it is not getting large enough of a prey item and still over fed. Like if it isnt big enough for anything bigger than a fuzzy giving it 12 pinkies or 4 fuzzies isnt good for it, and it will become at the least fat. Or it needs to step up several sizes. Usually one prey item of the proper size every 4-5 days with young kings is plenty. You can get the proper size by looking at the prey size and compairing it to the size of snake. Or by weight though I know nothing much about how that is done. Over feeding can be stressfull any thing that stresses the snake could make it aggresive, as well as sheds. If you happen to have pictures of the snake clearly showing its size compaired to say a dollar bill we could probly help you decide what best to feed it.

EDIT: They are opportunity feeders for the most part. So yes they may very well keep feeding until they pop. Kings seem particularly happy to eat or at least mine did.

Hillsberry · 12-25-09, 11:36 AM

OKay I will take a picture of him today. But when I feed him he never stops. Will they just eat till they pop? I mean I think I will move him up but he just doesnt stop.

Will0W783 · 12-25-09, 12:41 PM

The reason he never stops is because they aren't making a dent in his hunger. Think of how much plain, unbuttered popcorn you'd have to eat when you're really hungry to feel full. (That was the closest comparison I could think of...lol) At 22 inches, he should be able to take a small mouse, at the very least a large mouse hopper. I'd try moving him up to rat pups first though, to get him going on rats. Some snakes get "addicted" to mice and that's all they will eat even when they are really big. A good rule of thumb is to feed a prey item that is about the same thickness as the snake's thickness. For a kingsnake you can give it a prey slightly thicker than it is, because they can take large meals and really squash them down before swallowing. They are one of only a few colubrids that constrict.

MacAdder · 12-25-09, 03:58 PM

If the only time you open the viv is to feed the animal becomes conditioned. The other is if you put your hand in and hesitate. That is inviting a response.

Hillsberry · 12-25-09, 06:31 PM

OKay so I will give him 2 fuzzies tomorrow and he is a total pig so he should eat them fast. Thanks Everyone :P

Will0W783 · 12-26-09, 11:06 AM

Make sure the fuzzies leave a slight bulge in him. If they don't next time move him to a small adult mouse. Also I would feed him weekly, as colubrids have a faster metabolism than boids.

Hillsberry · 12-26-09, 07:50 PM

Should I just keep tying feeding him even if he is going in to a shed?

Will0W783 · 12-26-09, 08:24 PM

I would. My kingsnake eats even when he's deep in shed. He'd eat no matter what..lol. He's a pig.

Hillsberry · 12-26-09, 08:27 PM

Yeah Kings eat like its there last meal. My friend just got a beautiful spotted king. She is so pretty. And I watched him feed her today and she ate like a pig. Lol.

emseeKAY · 12-26-09, 08:51 PM

i find that with my corn too, shes a champ lol she devours pretty much anything i hold in front of her, shes basically a monster... lol :P

Hillsberry · 12-26-09, 09:12 PM

Its funny how he is smaller then me and yet he eats more them me. Lol.

emseeKAY · 12-26-09, 10:03 PM

lol i think i definitely would trump my snake on that one, unless its done in comparison to weight, well... nah id still win lol gotta pack on the muscle if i wanna be a police officer lmao