obesity?

remsin76 · 07-08-03, 05:51 PM

hey,
there was a time when i was worried about my snake being too skinnny. now i think he mihgt be getting too fat. he is about 22 inches long. I'd estimate his age to be about 3 months old. I think he's a nice shape right now. I was feeding 2 mouse crawlers every 5 days. what i want to know is how do you tell if he's too fat? and secondly is it better to feed my snake 2 crawlers every 5 days, or to spread it out to like 1 every 3 or 4 days? thanks

Tim_Cranwill · 07-08-03, 06:08 PM

With a ball python's metabolism, he'd be better off heating more food less often over less food more often. 3 or 4 days is on the high side of how often he should be eating. 1 properly sized food item every 5 - 7 days is a good guideline for young balls.

If you're worried about his weight, post a pic or two and someone would be able to tell you how he is looking...

jwsporty · 07-08-03, 06:24 PM

Hey Remsin, I wish I had your problem, but Tim is right post a pic and let's see what you got. 5-7 is good, the snake needs time to digest and 3-4 days is pushing it. Heck if I could get mine eating every 7 I would be extremely happy...

baller · 07-08-03, 06:44 PM

You can tell that he is obese if when he is straightened out wrinkles remain. Overall you would be better off feeding 1 small mouse every 5-6 days and when he become older give him a larger prey every week.

BoidKeeper · 07-08-03, 07:30 PM

You'd be better off feeding him rats not mice. They are better for him and when he gets big if he is stuck on mice it will take a lot of mice to feed an adult BP. The soon you switch to rats the better.
You can tell if he is obese first off by what he weighs. Any snake that stays coiled will have creased scales. Second if you can see the skin between the scales that is not a good sign. Also is he round or still kinda triangular?
Cheers,
Trevor

remsin76 · 07-09-03, 02:05 PM

the ruler is a foot long

remsin76 · 07-09-03, 02:12 PM

pic 2

remsin76 · 07-09-03, 02:14 PM

sorry about allt he white blothes its the only way i knew to make the picture fit. so tell me guys does he look too fat? keep in mind he hate monday night so he's got kind of a bulge.

killaclown · 07-09-03, 02:20 PM

ITs just find but he will grow to be one of those big five footers. keep feeding him every five days and he will be a good breeder

BoidKeeper · 07-09-03, 02:47 PM

He looks fine. Keep feed him every five days if you want a fat snake. No matter how much you feed him he may never pass 3.5'. Back him off to every 7 at 12 months and you'll have no troubles.
Cheers,
Trevor

remsin76 · 07-09-03, 04:59 PM

well i know i should switch to rat pups soon but i still ahve about 12 frozen crawlers in my fridge. should i feed him one crawler every 5 days or 2 crawlers? thanks

BoidKeeper · 07-09-03, 05:02 PM

I would do one every 5 or two every 7 but that is just me.
Cheers,
Trevor