Boa feeding

[Jendee]

I have lots of boas!! And the odd double thing is a really bad idea that is considered power feeding, a boa is going to eat as many rats as you feed them at one time bc they are in feeding mode even if they dont need it so beware! Over feeding your boa like that can will lead to a shorter life span. In the wild boas will go a month or more without eating and live to 30 + years captive boas over feed will live 6-9 yrs...big difference!!
I feed my 6 ft girls every 14 days 1 xxl rat! only bc they are going to be breeding fo rme and I like a little bit more muscle mass for breeding. If yours are males or arent going to be breeding a think a large rat is great choice for a boa around 5 ft!!

[spankygaaarge]

[quote=Feebo;558771Well that`s a grand total of one other Boa owner ! Does nobody have any Boas in here?! [/quote]

We have a Dumeril's, but hes just under 4 feet, he eats 3 mice a week (he's not as thick in the girth as yours) we think we should be moving up to rats but arent really sure if they are too big for him or if they would be too aggressive......... we need advice on this subject too..........

[spankygaaarge]

Originally Posted by Jendee

I have lots of boas!! And the odd double thing is a really bad idea that is considered power feeding, a boa is going to eat as many rats as you feed them at one time bc they are in feeding mode even if they dont need it so beware! Over feeding your boa like that can will lead to a shorter life span. In the wild boas will go a month or more without eating and live to 30 + years captive boas over feed will live 6-9 yrs...big difference!!
I feed my 6 ft girls every 14 days 1 xxl rat! only bc they are going to be breeding fo rme and I like a little bit more muscle mass for breeding. If yours are males or arent going to be breeding a think a large rat is great choice for a boa around 5 ft!!

jendee, does the same apply if they are on mice weekly???

[Jendee]

yes!! lol I was reading the 3 mice a wk saying ouch lol!!
It is much much more healthier for your boa to move up a size rather then feed more then one prey item! If you feel your boa in size due to refusing meals go from every 7 days to every 6..still this would be much healthier then more than 1 prey item.
think about how much more your feeding your boa weight wise by feeding him 3 prey then maybe 1 size bigger prey. its a big difference, can cause your snake to grow too fast or a even stress and have a regurge.
and rats are soo much better for your snake then mice, rats have higher bone density and there for have more protein in them so if your boa is feeding on mice move to rat pups or weaned good luck!!!

[spankygaaarge]

Originally Posted by Jendee

yes!! lol I was reading the 3 mice a wk saying ouch lol!!
It is much much more healthier for your boa to move up a size rather then feed more then one prey item! If you feel your boa in size due to refusing meals go from every 7 days to every 6..still this would be much healthier then more than 1 prey item.
think about how much more your feeding your boa weight wise by feeding him 3 prey then maybe 1 size bigger prey. its a big difference, can cause your snake to grow too fast or a even stress and have a regurge.
and rats are soo much better for your snake then mice, rats have higher bone density and there for have more protein in them so if your boa is feeding on mice move to rat pups or weaned good luck!!!

Jendee thanx so much, we're just worried that rats/ratpups, will be more aggressive than mice, also someone told us we should jugde the size of his prey by the thickness of the largest part of his body, is this right?? it shouldnt be bigger than the thickest part of his body?????

[Jendee]

oh you feed live?...I feed frozen thawed...if you get a live prey item just thump it before you feed it to your boa or for something so small like a rat pup a nice flick to the back of the head
but just a money tip its ALOT cheaper to buy frozen rats online!!!

[spankygaaarge]

Originally Posted by Jendee

oh you feed live?...I feed frozen thawed...if you get a live prey item just thump it before you feed it to your boa or for something so small like a rat pup a nice flick to the back of the head
but just a money tip its ALOT cheaper to buy frozen rats online!!!

ya, he wont even attempt anything dead couple of times he's pushed it around with his nose them just ignored it, ya we know its cheaper but what can ya do when he wont touch frozen/thawed, or even prekilled, i sometimes think he likes the 'challenge' .............