When to change feeding schedule

[Brently]

I am just curious on when it is appropriate to start to space out feedings more. I feed Athena every 7-10 days depending on prey size. When she eats around 100 grams it is 7 days, anything over 140 grams I go to 10 days. But when do you start spacing it out more, or do you at all. She is 4ft long and weighs around 100 grams (2 lbs). And she is approximately 1 1/2 yrs old.

[Gungirl]

At a year I switch up my guys to eat appropriate size food every 2 weeks.

[KORBIN5895]

I switch my bci over to two week feedings at eight months.

[rmfsnakes32]

We do every 2 weeks once they are over a year old and 1 time a week for younger than that except the corns they eat every week since they have higher metabolisms

[ReticMan123]

I'm also interested in this. I don't get switching them at a year old?? To what prey size. First off I think you mean 900 grams if she's 2 pounds. And if you feed 100 grams a week that's 200 grams every 2 weeks which is about 1/4 a little less which I would think is good for a snake who still has a lot more growing. I was told you go by every 2 weeks. Hatchling to a year they get 1/3 every 2 weeks. So a 100 grams snake gets something that's like 15 to 20 grams a week. A year to 18 months is 1/4 and then to 2 years is 1/5 every 2 weeks. Supposedly there supposed to end up as a grown adult to be like 8to 10 percent of their body weight every 2 weeks. So 2 to 3 years 1/7. Then 3 years on is 1/10? I got all this info by thoroughly researching on this subject and ready a book called whats wrong with my snake? Stating a boid should as an adult in captivity be consuming about double their body weight a year. Saying a 50 pound snake will consume about 4 pounds every 2 weeks. Sorry to throw all this math in here but I am always curious to know growth of bci and bcc and healthy feeding schedules throughout there life. As in my earlier post I just got my first little baby girl suriname who I also named Athena before I seen this post so I didn't copy lol

[Aaron_S]

BCI and BCC are different snakes though. They have different metabolisms in my experience and BCC tend to be on the more "delicate" side soto speak.

I have a question for the boa breeders. Why do you feed every 2 weeks? Is it a bigger meal than someone would feed a ball python?

For my animals, I feed every 10 days right now due to my breeding cycles and they get average 140 - 175 gram rats(roughly 10 - 15% of body weight) for all adult females. When I'm not pairing I average every 7 days. Same meal size and things seem to go well.

So why the difference? I can only think that a boa female is eating more of her own body weight per feeding.

[Ddub]

Why would folks spread out those feelings? Obviously it takes an adult longer to digest a jumbo or whatever than it does a baby to digest a hopper. The larger the prey item the longer it takes. When and how you slow down is up to you and the individual boa. They all grow at different rates, even similar sized siblings on the same feeding schedule will grow differently so there's no set way to do it. I feed a few days after they poop to adulthood so my feeding schedule, if you could call it that, is self correcting in that respect. On a final note as to why some people would space it to the point of 10-16 meals a year for adults? Boas are notoriously over fed in culture. It may come as a surprise but they just don't need that much food. Of course this all depends on your motivation for how you feed, but its unlikely that boas in the wild get a square meal every 10 days. You will never find a fat boa in wild. They are lean and muscular and that's how I like mine. I find them to be healthier and longer lived. To each their own. Hope this helps.

[shaunyboy]

i feed every 7 to 10 days,for the first 2 to 3 years

sub adults i feed every 14 to 21 days

adults i feed every 15 to 30 days

i don't have a set feeding day

i only feed 3 or 4 feeds during winter

cheers shaun

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by Ddub

Why would folks spread out those feelings? Obviously it takes an adult longer to digest a jumbo or whatever than it does a baby to digest a hopper. The larger the prey item the longer it takes....

I think you're wrong here. I'm no expert on these types of things but I still think you're wrong. It doesn't matter the actual size of the prey item in my opinion. It's about the weight of the prey item to the size of the predator.

Most of the time it takes longer for a snake to digest a meal is if it's an oversized meal for them. A hopper is as big a meal for it's size as a jumbo rat may be for an adult. Get what I'm saying?

I do know though, that some people allow an extra day or two for guinea pigs to digest because I once read they have thicker skulls so it may take a bit longer to digest.

[Ddub]

Sounds like you have it figured out! Good luck!

[KORBIN5895]

Originally Posted by Ddub

Have you ever done a side by side comparison? Do you keep feeding records of your animals? Does metabolism not slow down for most animals as they age? Where's your evidence to the contrary?

Dude your wrong.

If a snake eats a rat as big around as the snake it will take the same amount of time no matter what the size of the snake. Hence why people recommend feeding a rat that leaves a bulge that lasts 3-4 days regardless of age.

Also if you ask for my proof I can have it in two weeks when I feed everyone again.

Now please.post your proof.

@Aaron

Most boas in captivity are terribly obese. Just look at that female sunglow I had ( I haven't tanned the hide yet so no wallets ). Boas are very active in the wild and are semi arboreal. People take these curious and active snakes and put them in a 4'x2'x1' ( or if they are generous 18" tall) enclosures. The snakes seldom get out and have no stimulation. So they become these obese tubbies that are fed fatty animals because guineas are just about the perfect size. People aren't willing to try and find the right size rabbits to feed.

Personally I would love to set up a 4' cube enclosure for my breeding pairs but I am not at that place yet. So I do feed whenever I remember and try to let them out as much as possible. I used to put leah up on my banister and let her balance. It helped tone her up quite a bit.

[Ddub]

So you're saying that metabolism doesn't slow down as animals ages past a certain point?

[KORBIN5895]

A snakes metabolism is mostly controlled the temperature.

So your saying that an older snake has a slower metabolism? Why?Are suggesting this because that's how mammals work?

[Ddub]

The only reason I asked for proof is because I was called out by someone who admittedly "not an expert" on such things. Ultimately I don't care how fast rats digest and have no desire to ague. I've been at this for 30 years and have a system that work for me as many of you do. The op asked for advice on when to slow down. I gave advice along with my reasonings based on my observations. Take it or leave it. This is one reason I don't like to get involved with discussions and stick to posting pics! Good luck with all your observations and feedings!

[Jendee]

I like that Kevins point that boas are semi aboreal. They truely are I have a pvc pole in all my x2x18 they use the poles often at night in the days closer to feeding when they are in hunting mode. When you take them out they are always on their way up..
But I still wouldnt call them active, i wouldnt call any snake active they conserve enerjy unless on the move for a "need" hunger, water, temp change..
And I love your guys feeding so lightly that is awesome!! Infact i think I feed the heaviest here which is amazing because Ive been told I starve my boas haha. Great to see guys!! *high five* getting rid of fat boas one at a time
And i may agree with the age metabolism thing...a little bit but more extreme that Ddub is stating...like of course a senior metabolism is going to slow down..but I dont think a neonate to say a 5 yr old takes any longer to digest their food.