Boa constrictor feeding schedule

[bigsnakegirl785]

So, I'm wondering if Cloud is a bit skinny? He's not eating as often as he was, but it may be time to lengthen the time between his feedings. I'll post some pictures to show his body. He's in shed in these pictures, but I had him out to mix water into his bedding, and figured I might as well get pictures to ask this question. He should be done shedding in the next few days. I had him on a 1 week feeding schedule, but he hasn't been eating every week. He is eating large rats, but I'm hoping to get ahold of 1/2lb rabbits and see if he'll eat them. He defecates between each meal, and the bump stays in his belly for 3-4 days. His poop is well-formed and not runny. But he won't eat, even a day after he defecates. He seems to only want to eat every 2 weeks now, and no longer eats while in shed (his shed cycles often start a day or two before his next feeding, ensuring he goes the longest time without food it seems). I had him weighed at the vet, since I don't have a way to weigh him (so may "way" sounds lol), for general inventory. He was 3lbs 13oz, and may have gained a few ounces since then, as it's been a few weeks and ate during the time between then. He will be 2 years in August, and is around 4ft 9in, and growing 2-3 inches every 3 weeks. Take a look at these pictures, and tell me if 2 weeks is often enough. If he does look skinny, how can I get him to eat more often? His last feeding was May 21st, exactly 2 weeks ago. I'll wait until he sheds, to be sure he'll eat. He also seems to be hooked on eating only in his 5 gallon feeding tub. He's still small enough to eat in it, but he'll outgrow it soon. I've tried several times to feed him in his tub, but no interest. Even if I just move him into the tank, he immediately takes it. I haven't changed his temps, and I don't change his decorations around much. His temps on the hot end are 85-90F, and the cool side is 80-85F, and his humidity is 65-70%, but I let it go through cycles. I let it dry out down to 55-60%, and I re-wet his bedding. This takes about a week or 5 days. They have always been this way. If you need any other information, let me know.

Cloud, full-body, on my bed
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1902-1_zps730ef4e5.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1902-1_zps730ef4e5.jpg.html)

His middle
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1901_zps0293270c.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1901_zps0293270c.jpg.html)

My hand at the start of his tail
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1900_zps95b463a2.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1900_zps95b463a2.jpg.html)

And my hand around near his middle
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1898_zpsf8bb3edd.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1898_zpsf8bb3edd.jpg.html)

[rmfsnakes32]

I say he looks fine rabbits are more filling than rats that's why he doesn't want to eat sooner

[smy_749]

He looks a bit skinny to me, just from the pictures. Not terribly skinny, but not as 'full' as most.

[Starbuck]

OP isnt feeding rabbits at this point, just thinking about getting them (?)

I would say feeding every 2 weeks is fine, from your description it sounds like he is healthy. If you are worried about him not getting enough to eat, you could try feeding two prey items/feeding.

If you would like to get him eating in his enclosure, simply wait him out :) It sounds as thoughhe certainly isnt hungry (most of the time), so i imagine if you let him be for a few weeks and then try offering prey overnight (assuming you feed F/T) in his regular house he should take it :)

I think Cloud looks like a very healthy, beautiful boa :)

[bigsnakegirl785]

Thanks, that eases me a little. I haven't got him on rabbits yet, though. :) I'm looking for some, haven't had any luck. The pet store doesn't have feeder rabbits as small as 1/2lb, and I don't see any feeders on CL. The rats are as big as he can go, though, so many that's why he doesn't eat as often.

EDIT:
Starbuck, you posted just before I did. lol But, yes, I feed him f/t. I'll try that, and see if it works. Will it be ok to leave his tank empty while I leave it in overnight, if I do that, or should I leave his hides in? I don't feel comfortable leaving his EcoEarth in.

[Starbuck]

i think there is nothing wrong with a lean snake, especially since many captive boas err towards obese >.> its hard to get a good bead on what they look like in the wild, as there are so many captives (and so many more pictures of captives) available on the internet...

[smy_749]

I just want to add so it wasn't misunderstood. I don't think he looks unhealthy from the pictures, just leaner than most that I typically see.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I understood what you mean smy. :) I guess if he doesn't lose any more weight in the next few feedings, I won't worry. If in the next 3 or so feedings he's starting to look skinnier, I'll try the ideas given by Starbuck.

[KORBIN5895]

i think there is nothing wrong with a lean snake, especially since many captive boas err towards obese >.> its hard to get a good bead on what they look like in the wild, as there are so many captives (and so many more pictures of captives) available on the internet...

This is the best response.

Remember he should be a rectangular shape. If he ever starts getting a cylindrical shape he is getting too fat.

[moshirimon]

Yea he looks nice and healthy to me, I wouldn't worry about nothing.

[waf]

Hi, in my opinion, your boa looks ok. Don´t forget that a male is smaller than a female, so, will eat less than a female. Don´t switch to rabbit by now, it is not the best time for your boa, wait until he gets 4 years old (at least) This is what I would do: Continue feeding every 2 weeks, but with 2 prey, as Starbuck says, it will make the same feeding than in the past (1 prey every wk). Also, you could add some vitamins, but dont worry too much, as I always say: boas are like people, some eat a lot, some a little, and both could be healty, in its range.

[moshirimon]

Feeding rabbits has nothing to do with how old they are. There are small rabbits, even baby rabbits that the OPs boa would do great on. I think it would be a great idea to get him on 1/2 pounders. Might take a while for him to switch though. I am actually looking for baby rabbits right now to feed my 5 foot female. shes only about a year and a half and huge. not powerfed either. All snakes are different, same as us people.

If Cloud doesnt want to eat anymore than once every two weeks then let it be, as long as its consistent. Also i'd rather bump him up a size, rather than feed two smaller items. Just my way of doing things. Overall thought he looks fine, good build and he's a male so he should be on the slimmer side anyway.

And by the way, his tail doesnt start until you get to his vent. I know what you mean though :D

[bigsnakegirl785]

Yeah, I was talking about his tail coloration. lol His tail is, like, super long, though. I might just not have seen many males' tails, but his is like a foot long (not literally, but you know what I mean).

So, here's an update. He finished shedding this afternoon, and I tried feeding him again. He acted like the rat wasn't even there. Trying to feed right after shedding may have been too soon, but it's never been a problem, and he's pretty late on his feeding, so I tried anyway. It's been almost 2.5 weeks since he's eaten. If he doesn't eat by next week's feeding, should I consider taking him to the vet? Or wait until he loses a significant amount of weight? He still feels pretty hefty, and doesn't look any thinner. He actually looks a little better now that he's shed. lol I put him up after the attempt, so as not to stress him out anymore, and he gave a pretty good struggle like usual. I measured him at 4 ft 9.5 in., so he's grown a whole inch in the past week, despite not eating. His shed measured 8 ft 5 in.! I was actually able to catch him shedding today, and watched him from my bed. It's hard to see anything, though, as he sheds in his hide. lol It took him about an hour, hour and a half to shed, and I caught him in the middle of it, so it could have taken twice as long for the whole process. We've also got a few calls on feeder rabbits, in response to a wanted ad. Hopefully we'll get a few in in the next few days. If I can get a few 1/2lb rabbits, and get Cloud to eat them, I'll be happy.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I don't have any of him stretched out like before, but here's some from right before I removed his shed, and one while I was waiting for his rat to warm up.

http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1922_zps36763b5a.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1922_zps36763b5a.jpg.html)

http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1911_zps0328ee64.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1911_zps0328ee64.jpg.html)

http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1908_zpsf94d9dab.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1908_zpsf94d9dab.jpg.html)

[waf]

Hey! he looks wonderful! my boa was out of feeding for 4 months, didn´t lost weight and shed 2 times, so, don´t worry too much.

By the way, I said that this is not the best time to switch to rabbits, not for how old he is. It is beacuse if he is not eating normally his regular prey, will be more difficult to get him into new type of prey.

[rocknhorse76]

He looks just fine, and a 2 week feeding schedule is good for a boa. My Argentine female is 5'6" and weighs 6 lbs, and she gets an XL rat every 2 weeks. My Dumeril's male is 5'4" and about 8 lbs, and gets a jumbo rat every 3 weeks. The baby Dumeril's female will be fed an appropriately sized rat weekly until she's 2 years old.....every 2 weeks til she's about 4 years old, and every 3-4 weeks there on out. Basically, the larger the prey item, the longer you should wait between feedings so that your snake gets the most nutrition possible for the prey. Otherwise, all they're doing is digesting and pooping rather than absorbing and using nutrients.

[moshirimon]

Also has Cloud pooped recently? In my experience a lot of the times when boas have belly full of poop they wont eat until they let it out.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Yes, although it wasn't as big as the last one, and was mostly urates. He's been pooping regularly just about every week, give or take a few days. He had two big poops and the small one in the last three weeks. The two first ones he did outside while in the sunshine. Had to get a shovel to clean them up. lol Probably TMI, but I find it pretty amusing. I guess he could use some more emptying, perhaps, although he looks pretty empty to me, and has pooped since his last meal. I'll keep an eye out for it, though, and try again next Thursday or Wednesday. Moved him around to check, and he didn't want to be bothered at first, but after I lifted his coils to make sure he wasn't sitting on any, he crawled up my arm and didn't want to go back in.

[KORBIN5895]

My boas all poop about once a month....

[rocknhorse76]

Yeah, mine go once every 3-4 weeks on average too.

[moshirimon]

Once a week?? I've never had one that goes that often.. Once a month is normal. Some big females will even go up to two sometimes.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Yeah, I've got a picture (and caught it on tape haha to gross out my mom) from May 14, and I know he's had an even bigger one and a small one since then. It's not anything to worry about is it? He's been doing this for the whole time I've had him. A few times he went two or three feedings before he pooped, but mostly it's every week. Should I post a picture of it? Then again, I used to give him several smaller prey items that took him two or three poops before he got it all out. Now he's getting one appropriately sized item.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Well, today I tried feeding Cloud again. I ended up having to throw the large rat away, because it had been thawed out twice, and had become freezer burnt. So, we got some more rats from the pet store. They only had small frozen rats, so we got two of them. It wasn't a big meal, but it left a small bump in his belly, and hopefully this will get him to eat again next week. Today was 3 weeks and a day since his last meal. At first I didn't think he was going to eat, because as I was grabbing his head to put him back in his tank to block off the top so he wouldn't climb out, he wasn't reacting. But, when I went to reach for him at one point, his head went stiff and he watched my fingers intently, head wobbling. I knew then he would eat, and he sat there not moving a muscle until I brought the rats for him to eat. He took both rats, and is in his tub right now, digesting.

Waiting for his rats to thaw out.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1939_zps65825aae.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1939_zps65825aae.jpg.html)

Cloud from above.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1940-1_zps5fc5e3d4.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1940-1_zps5fc5e3d4.jpg.html)

Finishing off his first rat.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1946_zpsd7acab68.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1946_zpsd7acab68.jpg.html)

Taking his second rat.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1947_zps0e19baee.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1947_zps0e19baee.jpg.html)

Putting his jaw back into place after finishing his second rat.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1948-1_zps631b9dcf.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1948-1_zps631b9dcf.jpg.html)

[Starbuck]

are you feeding him in a separate enclosure? If not, you should not be handling him before he eats, as that sends mixed messages to the snake; as well as puts him on edge which could contribute to his not wanting to eat.

If you do feel in a separate enclosure, why? You may have better luck simply putting the rat in his regular viv and wlaking away for a few hours.

[Ddub]

If you do feel in a separate enclosure, why? You may have better luck simply putting the rat in his regular viv and wlaking away for a few hours.

I agree with this. It doesn't serve much of a purpose to feed them in a separate container. It just makes you have to interact with them before and after they eat which seems counterintuitive.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I feed him outside of his enclosure because of his bedding. I've tried putting large plates and things inside his enclosure, but he always pulls the rats off and gets huge mouthfuls of coconut husk I have to get out. I feed Bud in his enclosure, I always have. But, I have to clear out his enclosure and completely clean his enclosure every time to wash away the smell, to keep him from going off of rats. Unfortunately, he's now unwilling to eat rats despite my efforts, so he gets a mouse or two with a f/t rat behind it. For these same reasons, I have to be careful with Cloud's feeding as well. As I stated earlier, I am trying to switch him to feeding in his tub. He hasn't been going for it, and the first time I tried feeding him in his tub was the first time he started being weird about his feeding. He normally strikes as soon as the prey touches his nose, but lately he's been ignoring it. I have tried just letting it sit there, but he completely ignored it. Once I get him eating regular again, I'll try feeding him in his tub again. I may have to end up waiting him out, though, as suggested.

[Ddub]

I've found hunger to be a powerful motivator with feeding. I had one that wouldn't eat f/t so I just kept offering it and nothing else. Eventually she got hungry enough to eat it and never had a problem since. I threw a few rats away that's for sure but it was worth getting her off live. All I do now is toss the f/t rats in the cages and check a few hours later to find they're all gone.

How long were you leaving the rat in the cage with him? F/T?

[bigsnakegirl785]

I left the rat in there for either 2 or 3 hours, but closer to 2. He spent the whole time just crawling around looking for a way out until I took it away. If I'm going to leave it overnight, I might need to put him in a different room, so Bud doesn't pick up the scent. I guess the damage is already done, but I can keep trying. And yes, f/t, Cloud has only eaten f/t, and fresh-killed once or twice when Bud turned his nose up at them, and it was his day to be fed as well.

[KORBIN5895]

I've found hunger to be a powerful motivator with feeding. I had one that wouldn't eat f/t so I just kept offering it and nothing else. Eventually she got hungry enough to eat it and never had a problem since. I threw a few rats away that's for sure but it was worth getting her off live. All I do now is toss the f/t rats in the cages and check a few hours later to find they're all gone.

How long were you leaving the rat in the cage with him? F/T?

This here is truly solid advice.

[sweatshirt]

I agree with what they said about not handling the snake before feeding. I held Magenta the first time I tried feeding her and put her in a 10 gallon for feeding but she just sat there. I put her in a smaller container and she just freaked. I kept her in her home with the rat on a folded paper towel and it was gone in an hour. :)

I think that just throwing the thawed rat in on something solid and walking away is the best way to do it.

[bigsnakegirl785]

So, should I just clean out his enclosure the day before, so it's already cleared and ready for him to eat? I mean, he's never wavered in his feeding response even a millisecond from handling him before, but if that's what's causing it now, I'll definitely change it.

[Lankyrob]

I feed all my snakes on the substrate, i also used plates for a while but they do drag the rats off onto the substrate anyway so now i just throw the rat in and leave them to it

[KORBIN5895]

I feed all my snakes on the substrate, i also used plates for a while but they do drag the rats off onto the substrate anyway so now i just throw the rat in and leave them to it

This is also solid advice.

[Starbuck]

if you thaw the rat dry (not soaked in hot water, it should pick up less substrate. Keep in mind that wild snakes do not have clean glass and paper towels to place beneath their prey :)
I think you will encounter far fewer feeding issues if you feed him in his enclosure. Obviously, you know your snake best.

When i feed my snakes, i just toss the f/t mice in and walk away. I spot clean throughout the week, but i only completely change the bedding etc once every few months.

[Ddub]

2-3 hours may not be enough time. Most of mine eat immediately but there are a couple that will wait hours before eating. One in particular will sit there with her face right by the rat for sometimes 8 hours or more before finally eating it. Privacy or light may be an issue as well. Try covering the cage with a towel or sheet and just stay out of the room and give 'em some time. For his next scheduled feeding you may even want to push it back a couple weeks. If he's healthy it certainly won't hurt him and it will really build up his appetite and help him to want to take it.

[rocknhorse76]

My snakes are all on cypress substrate, and they all eat in their enclosures.

[Jack C]

The morning of feeding night I sweep all the substrate to the back and sides of the viv, leaving a big clearing to feed him on, granted I have a big viv but it might work for you too.

[Jack C]

Your boa has the exact colouring as mine, mine I was told is a pastel boa, I didnt pay much for him but would like to know if yours is just a normal?

[bcr229]

2-3 hours may not be enough time. Most of mine eat immediately but there are a couple that will wait hours before eating. One in particular will sit there with her face right by the rat for sometimes 8 hours or more before finally eating it.
She must be the sister to my adult male normal. A few months back I gave him his f/t rat at 7 pm, checked when I went to bed at 11 and he hadn't eaten yet, woke up at 6 the next morning and checked on him just in time to see the rat's hind legs disappearing down Mr. Picky's throat.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Alright. I guess I'll need to get a hair dryer to warm it up. I'll update everyone next feeding time whether he takes it or not.

And Jack, I really have no clue. I got him from a small pet store near where I live now, and since I'm not breeding I didn't bother to ask for breeder contact info. I paid $65 for him, though, as a normal, including the supplies I got with him. As far as I can tell, he's a normal.

[Starbuck]

Another thing you could do it fill two plastic bags with some hot water, and sandwhich the rat in between. And/or some of those kicrowave gel packs (for sore muscles) and use that to warm it up. Let us know how things work out!

[Lankyrob]

Or lace the rat on a plate on top of a radiator, then just before feeding press the skull against the radiator directly to give a real hot target on the head.

[bigsnakegirl785]

We don't have any radiators, but I do have a hair straightener. I could put its head against the outside of it, and clean it off afterwards.

[KORBIN5895]

A hot target isn't as important to a boa as it would be a python.

[waf]

I agree not to take him out for feeding, I´ve never done. My case is a little different, I feed my boas in their enclosure, don´t have any problem with the bedding, because I use newspaper, also, I raise my own rats, I slaughter the rat in front of the enclosure, while my boa is looking from inside, so, when I get the rat into the tub, 2 seconds and zaz!

[Starbuck]

To the OP; i wouldnt necessarily use a hair straightener; they get way way hot :/ try just feeding him in enclosure first, then if he is still refusing food you can try to create a hit spot for him.

[Ddub]

A hot target isn't as important to a boa as it would be a python.

I agree here, its not necessary. My boas all eat at room temp. I don't even dangle them with tongs and their feeding response is great. I actually had two of them catch the rats before they hit the ground last feeding. Keep it simple and the variables to a minimum, just thaw and toss em in and be persistent. If it doesn't work wait a week or two and try again. They eventually come around.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Alright. I think I'm going to go ahead and try to feed him this coming Friday, and if he doesn't eat I'll try again the next Friday. I was kinda iffy on the hit spot, because he's never needed it, so it's good to know it isn't necessary.

I'm hoping to get some more breeder female rats for my males, as my other two females died of old age, and I don't expect their mate to last more than maybe to the beginning of this winter. I don't have the paper I wrote their birth date on, but they were around 2-2.5 years, maybe 3. I'll start typing them instead so I don't lose them. lol That will make this a lot easier, as the nearest pet store that sells feeders big enough is about 1.5 hour trip both ways. The Petsmart down the road only sells up to small rats, and only frozen. They don't even have live rats, just Guinea pigs and mice. That, and we have to sign agreements every time we get a live animal there.

[waf]

Do you have the ability to raise your own rats? I do, and I don´t have to be finding-out rats every meal time.... All you need for a good start are 1 male and 2 females, you will have 8 to 10 rats each female. Think about it..

[bigsnakegirl785]

Yes, I used to, but my two breeder females died over the winter, and I haven't been able to find any more that were healthy. They were good breeders, they had between 9 and 16 babies every litter, each. They only had one small litter each, and that's because I didn't give them enough time between litters before I re-introduced the male. I like to give them a month to two months to recuperate. It allows them to have bigger babies, and more of them. I felt bad for the one, because she got a tumor. Judging by where it was, I'm guessing ovary. :( Made me really sad, and I had to put her down. Her sister died two days later. I was able to raise two generations, but finding new females has been hard. Everyone only really has males.

[bigsnakegirl785]

So, today was a success! It's only been six days, but he pooped last night, so I figured he'd be ready for his next meal. The pet store was low on bigger rats again, so I got three small rats. They will be getting a new shipment later, so I I'll get two medium rats on Friday. He hit the first one like a starved lion and just about flung himself out of the tub. The next two he just gently opened his mouth and let me set them in his mouth. I fed him on the rock I keep in there for decoration, and he didn't pull them off. I tried to warm them up in a bag with the bag sealed and in a bowl of warm water, but it ended up leaking. -.- They didn't get too wet, though, and I dried them off as best I could.

Rat #3
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2058_zpsea83b7b9.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2058_zpsea83b7b9.jpg.html)

Rat #2
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2052_zps6450b3b5.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2052_zps6450b3b5.jpg.html)

[NCHornet]

Wow!!!! What a thread with all sorts of opinions. Here's mine.
I have a BCC and a BCI both within a month of your boa. As a matter of fact your male looks exactly like my female and just a tad bit smaller which is totally normal. There is no way your snake is to skinny, anyone who says so doesn't know what they are talking about and probably are power feeding so they can walk around main street and show off their big snake to everyone, whether they want to see it or not, ok off my soapbox, sorry!!!!!
I highly recommend switching from pet store rats to quality frozen. Can't tell you how many people get mites from pet shop food and usually they aren't all that healthy. I use to use pet shop rats until one day and they were out and I was leaving on vacation and needed a rat. They sent me to the man they bought them from, one whiff and I knew it was going to be bad. Over crowded, dead rats in cages being eaten by others, the cheapest dog food from WalMart for food and filthy water. Not feeding anything like that to my snakes, sure not all pet shops are lie this but why risk it. I only buy from The Rat Deli and they are the highest quality feeders that I have ever used and I have used most of the big suppliers. I buy a year at a time and if you know anyone close to you who also has snakes you can place a larger order and save on shipping.
My snakes have been on XL Rats for 6 months now and eat every two weeks, neither of them have ever turned down a meal. Here is what I do. Rat comes out of freezer and is wrapped in a couple paper towels and placed into a sandwich sized zip lock and thawed at room temp all day. I will then take two bags and place them into a gallon sized ziploc bag with a weight in the bottom, I also squeeze out as much air out as possible. I fill a 5 gal bucket half full of hot water and submerge the bad for 12-15 min. By using two bags very little water enters the inner bag if any, and I use new bags each time I feed. If any water does get in the paper towels absorb it. I always feed at night just a few minutes before the timer shuts the lights off. The rats are placed on a Styrofoam plate and placed in each cage opposite where the snake is. Timer is advanced so lights are off and I leave the room and turn off all lights. Boas don't need UV lights and lights should never be used as a heat source 24 hours per day. I don't recommend using them as a heat sourc at all, but that is me. Snakes are most active at night so use this to your advantage. With mine around the 10-12 day they are cruising around the cage much more, so I know they are hungry. Dry rats mean little chance of ingesting substrate, which I use nothing but Aspen and the boas love it.
By the next morning the late is always open. My snakes no longer coil the prey which shocked me, they cruise up to it, open their mouth when they find the head and down it goes. But if I placed the rat on tongs and moved it in front of them it would be a different story!!!!!! Your temps and humidity are fine, light should be roughly 12 on and 12 off, I don't plan on breeding so I keep this a constant. I feel there are way to many people breeding that shouldn't be, why add to the mess we have in this hobby?
In the wild snakes can go a very long time without eating, you think a rat walks by them every 14 days? It is also far better for your snake to feed one properly sized food item than multiple smaller items. Not saying it will hurt your snake because again in the wild they aren't to picky on what they will eat, but it is healthier for them.
I would also feed in the cage, it is very stressful on the snake to be moved right after eating. Don't sit there and stare at them, this can also stress them out. Turn all lights off and vacate the room.
By the end of the year I will be moving up to small rabbits. Rabbits have more fat so you want to extend feeding times out to 3 to 4 weeks. All in all you are doing a great job, I wish everyone would take care of their snakes like you. Keep up the good work your boa is gorgeous!!!!!

[waf]

Hey! good news! With by boas, I have learned a lot of patience, and it seems to me that you are in that learning way too... ha ha !

[NCHornet]

One other thing I wanted to mention. I have discovered that heating the prey in warm water isn't needed. But they do need to be completely thawed at room temp. I still warm mine but no where near as long as I use to. If you don't have a temp gun get one, under $30 on Amazon, I have found that 12 min in the water the rats are 80-85 degrees over their entire body. I have read where people say the prey should be 100-105 degrees, this is plain wrong, you don't want to cook them, and getting them that hot causes the bellies to rupture and make a awful mess. If I thaw at room temp they still consume it, but it takes a little bit longer for them to start consuming. I will try and get some photos of mine so you can see how close our boas are in size. Later!!
NCH

[sweatshirt]

I'm glad he ate! He's gorgeous btw

[Amadeus]

Great that he ate and that color is very pleasing to the eye.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Wow!!!! What a thread with all sorts of opinions. Here's mine.
I have a BCC and a BCI both within a month of your boa. As a matter of fact your male looks exactly like my female and just a tad bit smaller which is totally normal. There is no way your snake is to skinny, anyone who says so doesn't know what they are talking about and probably are power feeding so they can walk around main street and show off their big snake to everyone, whether they want to see it or not, ok off my soapbox, sorry!!!!!
I highly recommend switching from pet store rats to quality frozen. Can't tell you how many people get mites from pet shop food and usually they aren't all that healthy. I use to use pet shop rats until one day and they were out and I was leaving on vacation and needed a rat. They sent me to the man they bought them from, one whiff and I knew it was going to be bad. Over crowded, dead rats in cages being eaten by others, the cheapest dog food from WalMart for food and filthy water. Not feeding anything like that to my snakes, sure not all pet shops are lie this but why risk it. I only buy from The Rat Deli and they are the highest quality feeders that I have ever used and I have used most of the big suppliers. I buy a year at a time and if you know anyone close to you who also has snakes you can place a larger order and save on shipping.
My snakes have been on XL Rats for 6 months now and eat every two weeks, neither of them have ever turned down a meal. Here is what I do. Rat comes out of freezer and is wrapped in a couple paper towels and placed into a sandwich sized zip lock and thawed at room temp all day. I will then take two bags and place them into a gallon sized ziploc bag with a weight in the bottom, I also squeeze out as much air out as possible. I fill a 5 gal bucket half full of hot water and submerge the bad for 12-15 min. By using two bags very little water enters the inner bag if any, and I use new bags each time I feed. If any water does get in the paper towels absorb it. I always feed at night just a few minutes before the timer shuts the lights off. The rats are placed on a Styrofoam plate and placed in each cage opposite where the snake is. Timer is advanced so lights are off and I leave the room and turn off all lights. Boas don't need UV lights and lights should never be used as a heat source 24 hours per day. I don't recommend using them as a heat sourc at all, but that is me. Snakes are most active at night so use this to your advantage. With mine around the 10-12 day they are cruising around the cage much more, so I know they are hungry. Dry rats mean little chance of ingesting substrate, which I use nothing but Aspen and the boas love it.
By the next morning the late is always open. My snakes no longer coil the prey which shocked me, they cruise up to it, open their mouth when they find the head and down it goes. But if I placed the rat on tongs and moved it in front of them it would be a different story!!!!!! Your temps and humidity are fine, light should be roughly 12 on and 12 off, I don't plan on breeding so I keep this a constant. I feel there are way to many people breeding that shouldn't be, why add to the mess we have in this hobby?
In the wild snakes can go a very long time without eating, you think a rat walks by them every 14 days? It is also far better for your snake to feed one properly sized food item than multiple smaller items. Not saying it will hurt your snake because again in the wild they aren't to picky on what they will eat, but it is healthier for them.
I would also feed in the cage, it is very stressful on the snake to be moved right after eating. Don't sit there and stare at them, this can also stress them out. Turn all lights off and vacate the room.
By the end of the year I will be moving up to small rabbits. Rabbits have more fat so you want to extend feeding times out to 3 to 4 weeks. All in all you are doing a great job, I wish everyone would take care of their snakes like you. Keep up the good work your boa is gorgeous!!!!!

The rats I get from the pet store are frozen, and as I've stated several times, I am doing this because both of my breeder females recently passed away. I've put up ads looking for replacements, because I don't trust the ones from the pet store, but no one is answering the ad. And as far as the sizing, I believe just the size of the large rat is making him feel full, so should I wait a little bit to up him, or go ahead with it? As it is, he seems to eat later and later every feeding I give him large. The first time he was late feeding, it was one week late, the second two weeks late. Right now he's 4ft 10in. I'm hoping to switch him to rabbits soon as well, but I'll take the advice in this thread and wait until he starts eating normally again. And thanks! It's been great having him, after my ball python. He's not picky at all, and besides the few feedings, he's never missed a meal! Such a relief. lol Too bad there aren't snake role models, otherwise he might have been able to influence Bud. XD Although, even Bud is beginning to eat normally now.

[NCHornet]

The prey should leave a slight bludgeon in him and be a little bit larger in diameter than the mid section of your boa. If he eats and you can't tell you probably should bump up to the next size. But as I said in the wild they eat just about whatever they can get down. No problem feeding two smaller items to use them up, but not ideal for long term. I have found no better supplier than Rat Deli for feeders. I hope they will carry rabbits soon. The owner worked at Mouse Factory before they closed. That is who I used for a long time.

[NCHornet]

Also how are feeding him? Do you leave the lights on and want to watch him? Do you use tongs and wave it in front of him? Try placing it on a plate and shut off all lights and leave the room and check it in the morning, I bet it's gone. Many people stress their snakes out by leaving lights on and movement in the room with TV on etc....... No wonder their snake won't eat.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Yes, the two mediums leave a slight bulge in his belly, but the large leaves a very noticeable one. I'll attach some pictures of him after eating a large rat, but he's also grown an inch or two since these pictures were taken. I'm thinking the large rats were still a little big, and he felt full for longer.

http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1769_zpsf574743b.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1769_zpsf574743b.jpg.html)

http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1770_zpsacb8c54e.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1770_zpsacb8c54e.jpg.html)

http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1772_zpsb8b34937.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1772_zpsb8b34937.jpg.html)

Overhead once he got the rat all the way down.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1785_zps9a538f90.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1785_zps9a538f90.jpg.html)

5 days later...you can still clearly see the bulge. But he did end up pooping only 2 or 3 days later. So a total of about a week to digest, despite that bulge.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1804_zps9b9b0dab.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1804_zps9b9b0dab.jpg.html)

[bigsnakegirl785]

Also how are feeding him? Do you leave the lights on and want to watch him? Do you use tongs and wave it in front of him? Try placing it on a plate and shut off all lights and leave the room and check it in the morning, I bet it's gone. Many people stress their snakes out by leaving lights on and movement in the room with TV on etc....... No wonder their snake won't eat.

I took so long writing...lol But I used to put him in a glass feeding tank. I would set the rat on the tip of his nose, and he'd rip them out of the tongs. Then I'd walk off and let him do his thing, without lights on, and check on him every few minutes to see how he's doing. Then, either when he's close to being done swallowing, or a few minutes after I would move him back into his tub. With my trusty snake hook. lol I didn't use it to hold his weight, just to pull his head out of the tank and over the tub, and he'd crawl in for me.

[rocknhorse76]

At nearly 5 feet, I'd say that a large rat every two weeks is just about right. My 3 y/o female Argentine is a little over 5 1/2 feet and eats an XL rat every 2 weeks unless she's in shed.
Oh, and just feed him in his enclosure. Mine are all fed in their enclosures and never strike at me.

[NCHornet]

Do you have any idea where these rats are from? I have used all the major suppliers and have seen quite a huge difference in sizing. A large rat from supplier X might be smaller than a medium from supplier Y. That is why most in the hobby go by weight. It may be the photo but that rat looks like a jumbo!!!!! As I said before, feeding one large rat is better than 2 medium. But if you are still seeing a bulge after day 5, and by looking at your photo it looks like a very large meal for him. After he eats does he prefer to be on the warm side of the cage?
I would continue with the large rat every two weeks, if you are concerned about it being to big maybe you can hand pick a rat from the pet shop that is in between a medium and large? That is another plus with Rat Deli, if you order large rats they will all almost be exactly the same size and weight, and the quality is top shelf. I would also highly recommend changing your feeding habits. It is very stressful to handle your snake right after consuming a meal. Try my method of feeding in the enclosure on a plate with all the lights off and no activity in the room and see if the rat is there in the morning. There is no need to check on them every ten minutes to make sure they aren't choking or something. Doing it this way removes that stress and could affect how the snake eats and when.

[rocknhorse76]

Do you have any idea where these rats are from? I have used all the major suppliers and have seen quite a huge difference in sizing. A large rat from supplier X might be smaller than a medium from supplier Y. That is why most in the hobby go by weight. It may be the photo but that rat looks like a jumbo!!!!! As I said before, feeding one large rat is better than 2 medium. But if you are still seeing a bulge after day 5, and by looking at your photo it looks like a very large meal for him. After he eats does he prefer to be on the warm side of the cage?
I would continue with the large rat every two weeks, if you are concerned about it being to big maybe you can hand pick a rat from the pet shop that is in between a medium and large? That is another plus with Rat Deli, if you order large rats they will all almost be exactly the same size and weight, and the quality is top shelf. I would also highly recommend changing your feeding habits. It is very stressful to handle your snake right after consuming a meal. Try my method of feeding in the enclosure on a plate with all the lights off and no activity in the room and see if the rat is there in the morning. There is no need to check on them every ten minutes to make sure they aren't choking or something. Doing it this way removes that stress and could affect how the snake eats and when.

^This.

Anytime I buy frozen rats from a shop, I have them weighed so I can be sure of the size, although over the years I've gotten pretty good at judging by sight. A large rat should weigh somewhere between 175-275g, and a rat this size should produce a decent lump for a few days after feeding.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Do you have any idea where these rats are from? I have used all the major suppliers and have seen quite a huge difference in sizing. A large rat from supplier X might be smaller than a medium from supplier Y. That is why most in the hobby go by weight. It may be the photo but that rat looks like a jumbo!!!!! As I said before, feeding one large rat is better than 2 medium. But if you are still seeing a bulge after day 5, and by looking at your photo it looks like a very large meal for him. After he eats does he prefer to be on the warm side of the cage?
I would continue with the large rat every two weeks, if you are concerned about it being to big maybe you can hand pick a rat from the pet shop that is in between a medium and large? That is another plus with Rat Deli, if you order large rats they will all almost be exactly the same size and weight, and the quality is top shelf. I would also highly recommend changing your feeding habits. It is very stressful to handle your snake right after consuming a meal. Try my method of feeding in the enclosure on a plate with all the lights off and no activity in the room and see if the rat is there in the morning. There is no need to check on them every ten minutes to make sure they aren't choking or something. Doing it this way removes that stress and could affect how the snake eats and when.

That's why I said "used to," now that he WILL eat in his tub, I'll feed him in his tub. Well, his new enclosure, anyway, now that it's almost done! As far as the sizing, next time I get one I could measure it. I don't have any way to weigh it, though. I guess I could weigh it at the vet's maybe, they let me take Cloud and Bud over there to weigh them free of charge. I have two full-grown rats that I would guess at being jumbos, and they are larger than the ones I get from the pet store. I'll also compare their sizes, as I thought one of them would be small enough for him, but as it turns out, it was larger than I thought and he couldn't get it down, so it's in my freezer now. When he eats, he changes between his hot and cool side normally, changing positions maybe once or twice a day, with a little bit of variance. When it gets close to the time he poops (a day or two), he spends most of his time in the basking area. When I check on him, I don't move in front of him or anything. The tank is about 5-6 feet away from the door and I just poke my head in. I would check on him because I didn't have the top to the tank, so I had to make sure he didn't climb out.

[NCHornet]

When you get him in his new enclosure try my method and see how it goes. You can buy a cheap scale off Ebay for under $20. You may want to look into buying your feeders from another source than the pet shop, it would probably save you some money as well. I was at PetCo the other day getting the special cat food my wife's cat has to eat and I asked the dude how much for a XL Rat and almost choked when he said $8.00 . I can get three Jumbo's for under $9.00. I order a years worth of food at a time so even with shipping it is far cheaper and better quality than going through a pet shop. If you have another person in your area that keeps snakes you can combine orders and save even more on shipping. Just thought I would mention it.

[bigsnakegirl785]

It's not even $2, with tax, for a large rat, so they're pretty cheap. They're a small-time, family-owned shop, so they aren't as expensive as the chain pet stores. The chain pet stores around here don't even carry anything larger than a small rat anyways. I literally know no one personally, anywhere, who has a reptile of any sort, so I wouldn't be able to combine orders. This is only temporary, though, as I like to breed my food, so once I get breedable females, I won't buy any of my snake food. At some point I'll get a scale, but completing the new enclosures is first priority right now.

[NCHornet]

I told you that I would post some pics of my BCI that is within a couple weeks of yours, but mine is a female. She is 64" long and I used my fist to show her girth, about 3" to 3 1/2" inches. She slams a XL rat every two weeks and after they are gone I will be bumping her up to jumbo and slowly extending feedings out to 3 weeks. I hope this may ease some of your worries about your boa.
Enjoy:
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q32/NCHornet/photo_zpsd2137f04.jpg (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/NCHornet/media/photo_zpsd2137f04.jpg.html)

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q32/NCHornet/photo_zpsaabb7b64.jpg (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/NCHornet/media/photo_zpsaabb7b64.jpg.html)

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q32/NCHornet/photo_zpsf0b7aeb1.jpg (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/NCHornet/media/photo_zpsf0b7aeb1.jpg.html)

[Mark Taylor]

That's a very nice looking and healthy bci.

[Ddub]

Sorry a bit of reading just answered my question :)

[Starbuck]

Ddub, its so that YOU as a keeper know what you are feeding, and wont be duped by an unusually fluffy feeder. Also, is person A advises the OP to feed a 'large rat', and the OP goes to the pet store for a 'large rat', the pet store sells them a 800 gram rat.... while person A's 'large rat' is about 500g. Stating weights is a more sure weigh to give advice.
That being said, i dont weigh my feeders.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I told you that I would post some pics of my BCI that is within a couple weeks of yours, but mine is a female. She is 64" long and I used my fist to show her girth, about 3" to 3 1/2" inches. She slams a XL rat every two weeks and after they are gone I will be bumping her up to jumbo and slowly extending feedings out to 3 weeks. I hope this may ease some of your worries about your boa.
Enjoy:
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q32/NCHornet/photo_zpsd2137f04.jpg (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/NCHornet/media/photo_zpsd2137f04.jpg.html)

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q32/NCHornet/photo_zpsaabb7b64.jpg (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/NCHornet/media/photo_zpsaabb7b64.jpg.html)

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q32/NCHornet/photo_zpsf0b7aeb1.jpg (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/NCHornet/media/photo_zpsf0b7aeb1.jpg.html)

She's very pretty!

She's got a bit more weight to her than Cloud, just judging by the photos, but I guess that's just to be expected with her being a girl. I'll try to get more info on the feeders when I get them this week. If I can, I'll also get Cloud weighed again.

[Amadeus]

I told you that I would post some pics of my BCI that is within a couple weeks of yours, but mine is a female. She is 64" long and I used my fist to show her girth, about 3" to 3 1/2" inches. She slams a XL rat every two weeks and after they are gone I will be bumping her up to jumbo and slowly extending feedings out to 3 weeks. I hope this may ease some of your worries about your boa.
Enjoy:
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q32/NCHornet/photo_zpsd2137f04.jpg (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/NCHornet/media/photo_zpsd2137f04.jpg.html)

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q32/NCHornet/photo_zpsaabb7b64.jpg (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/NCHornet/media/photo_zpsaabb7b64.jpg.html)

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q32/NCHornet/photo_zpsf0b7aeb1.jpg (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/NCHornet/media/photo_zpsf0b7aeb1.jpg.html)

I agree with others a nice healthy looking BCI =]

[moshirimon]

Beautiful tail on that girl!

[bigsnakegirl785]

Well, I got two more large rats. They seem to be smaller than the ones I was getting before. Ditzy me forgot to ask the guy for the weight. But I guess I'll see if the vet will let me measure 'em. I put one of them next to the male of mine that I killed...they're about the same size, but mine's just really fat, so that would explain why he had trouble with it. I won't be giving it to him tonight, as he's going into his new enclosure, but at least I have them ready for him.

The fatter rat above the other one is mine, the smaller one below is the pet store's.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2167_zpsb8a954eb.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2167_zpsb8a954eb.jpg.html)


And here's outdoor photos from a few days ago. I took both Bud and Cloud to be weighed yesterday. Bud was 3lbs even (he's gained almost a pound! That is, if my last weight measurements are correct, I'll try to remember to double check next time. He has gained quite a bit, though, because the vet remarked on it, and I've visibly noticed it, too), and Cloud was 4lbs 6oz! I haven't measured his length yet, but he's probably grown a bit. I only measure about once a month - every 2-3 weeks - so I'll measure him at some point. I don't know if you can see it in the photos, but the last two successful feedings have definitely helped! He's got a little bit more meat to his bones. :P He also pooped this morning, so it looks like the length of time between his poops might be starting to lengthen out.

I did the fist thing like NCHornet, but just keep in mind my hands are tiny. lol
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2151_zps9f645e5d.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2151_zps9f645e5d.jpg.html)

All stretched out - it was difficult to get a decently clear photo because he barely fits in the frame. XD
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2148_zps288178e9.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2148_zps288178e9.jpg.html)

Cloud curled up from above.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2146_zps99fdd325.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2146_zps99fdd325.jpg.html)

Cloud curled up from the side.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2145_zpsce5880b1.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2145_zpsce5880b1.jpg.html)

[snakeman879]

Hi as said above keep the feed back a week or 2 I never heat the prey for my boa just defrost fully to room temp and dangle with tongs and she always takes the rat but on the times she dont take I just wait 2 weeks and she takes it with style lol an aggresive strlke and coil holding back a week or 2 wont starve a snake and often is what they need to get them feeding again

[snakeman879]

Hi as said above keep the feed back a week or 2 I never heat the prey for my boa just defrost fully to room temp and dangle with tongs and she always takes the rat but on the times she dont take I just wait 2 weeks and she takes it with style lol an aggresive strlke and coil holding back a week or 2 wont starve a snake and often is what they need to get them feeding againg ;-)

[snakeman879]

Hi your boa looks extremly similar to my one exept mine is a femail I wouldent feed right after a a shedd ddo I wait 3 days and feed every 2 weeks all snakes diffrent tho u know your boa best. Just thot I would say how I feed my one all the best good luck

[Mikoh4792]

Hi your boa looks extremly similar to my one exept mine is a femail I wouldent feed right after a a shedd ddo I wait 3 days and feed every 2 weeks all snakes diffrent tho u know your boa best. Just thot I would say how I feed my one all the best good luck

What reason do you have for not feeding right after a shed?

[bigsnakegirl785]

Hi your boa looks extremly similar to my one exept mine is a femail I wouldent feed right after a a shedd ddo I wait 3 days and feed every 2 weeks all snakes diffrent tho u know your boa best. Just thot I would say how I feed my one all the best good luck

Well, there really isn't any reason to wait. But, I thought maybe he was stressed and that's why he wasn't taking the prey, so I thought he'd still be stressed after a shed. Apparently he wasn't, as he took it immediately, the same day I last posted, and had 5 other meals since then. He's also grown at least 3in and put on 10 more ounces. He was measured at 5ft 1in and he was weighed in at 5lbs 3oz a week ago. He's still eating on 275+ gram rat a week, and he just had his last meal last night. He used to eat even if he was in the middle of a shed, but he doesn't anymore, so sometimes he's late, but he always takes the rat the same day he sheds his skin.

[Mikoh4792]

Well, there really isn't any reason to wait. But, I thought maybe he was stressed and that's why he wasn't taking the prey, so I thought he'd still be stressed after a shed. Apparently he wasn't, as he took it immediately, the same day I last posted, and had 5 other meals since then. He's also grown at least 3in and put on 10 more ounces. He was measured at 5ft 1in and he was weighed in at 5lbs 3oz a week ago. He's still eating on 275+ gram rat a week, and he just had his last meal last night. He used to eat even if he was in the middle of a shed, but he doesn't anymore, so sometimes he's late, but he always takes the rat the same day he sheds his skin.

Same here. My snakes' feeding responses are at their highest after their sheds.

[ReticMan123]

He looks great. Don't prey about a thing. I have a bcc and she only 3 " and barly a pound if that. He's about 2 yers old then feed him something that weighs 1/5of his body weight every 2 weeks. So probably a really large or jumbo rat. When you do with to rabbits. Go with like 1/7 every 2 weeks. So that may be a year from now wait until he's about 6"
Or
10 pounds. Then give
Like a 3 poun rabbit a
Month or a 1.5 every 2 weeks. Your choice whichever he likes better. Then finally once he's about 4 and Fully n adult. You go to 1/10 every. 2 weka. So if you end up with a 15 pound male. Then he would still get what he would get when he started the rabbits. Maintains healthy weight and digestion. Check out my thread a little more tword the top of the forum page. Good luck;) also I know how hard it can be and frustrating when they don't eat. I have recently before I got my suriname had a lavender retic. Supposed to be eating machines. He pretty much ate whenber he felt like it. Wasted a lot of rats. And now athen my suriname. She's always on te prowl and has ever turned down food there all different just don't let it
Bother you. He's getting older. Plus breeding season and all that crap mess their feeding up

[bigsnakegirl785]

Thanks ReticMan. Right now he just got over the 5' mark, and I measured him at 5'3" last week. I'm guessing he weighs around 6lbs now, maybe a little less. I think I was just feeding him too large of prey before, I haven't had any problems at all since (excluding shedding periods). He ate Wednesday, so he won't be as late as he usually is. lol He normally starts his shed periods on the same exact day it's time to eat, without fail, but I changed up his feeding day so he missed it this time. He's still on 275+ gram large rats a week, and will probably stay on them for awhile longer. Right now he's starting another shed, so I won't get him weighed or measured again until he's through. He's been putting on a lot of weight and muscle since I moved him to this new enclosure, and he explores it every night when not digesting or shedding. His growth spurt hasn't slowed down from what I can tell, but I'll see next time I measure him. If he keeps going at this rate he'll reach 6' before winter.

[waf]

Thanks ReticMan. Right now he just got over the 5' mark, and I measured him at 5'3" last week. I'm guessing he weighs around 6lbs now, maybe a little less. I think I was just feeding him too large of prey before, I haven't had any problems at all since (excluding shedding periods). He ate Wednesday, so he won't be as late as he usually is. lol He normally starts his shed periods on the same exact day it's time to eat, without fail, but I changed up his feeding day so he missed it this time. He's still on 275+ gram large rats a week, and will probably stay on them for awhile longer. Right now he's starting another shed, so I won't get him weighed or measured again until he's through. He's been putting on a lot of weight and muscle since I moved him to this new enclosure, and he explores it every night when not digesting or shedding. His growth spurt hasn't slowed down from what I can tell, but I'll see next time I measure him. If he keeps going at this rate he'll reach 6' before winter.


I have a retic, very similar size and weight than yours, mine eats every Wednesday also... my formula is very easy: two or three preys which make 15% out of my retic´s weight every wk.. when got the adult edge, I will change to 20% every 15 days.... it was recomended to my by a professional.

[Mikoh4792]

I have a retic, very similar size and weight than yours, mine eats every Wednesday also... my formula is very easy: two or three preys which make 15% out of my retic´s weight every wk.. when got the adult edge, I will change to 20% every 15 days.... it was recomended to my by a professional.

who is this professional?

[waf]

he is an herpetologist, has over 100 snakes and it is the way he used to feed boas and python. I have done this way, and worked for me. do you think is not good?

[Mikoh4792]

he is an herpetologist, has over 100 snakes and it is the way he used to feed boas and python. I have done this way, and worked for me. do you think is not good?

No I was just wondering, so that I can confirm the information. I do not have the experience with snakes to say whether it is good or not.

[waf]

I see, but believe me, it have worked for me very good....

[ReticMan123]

20 percent of weight is way too much twice a month for an adult retic. You could have a 100 pound 14 ft snake eating a huge!!!! 20 pound rabbit twice a month! Now if your breeding and they go off feed for a while ok. But adult bpids that are pets and fed all year round are about 10 percent very 2 weeks. 20 percent would be once you hit rabbits or te snake is anoint half grown

[NCHornet]

Sorry it has been so long since I replied to this thread. Thanks for the nice comments on the girl I posted, I agree that she is a beauty. To the OP it sounds like you are getting things worked out. I wish I had a local source for clean rats at $2 a piece. The only pet store in our small town wants $12 for a medium rat, and their medium is what Rat Deli would consider a small, another reason why weight is important to go by. My female is now on Jumbo Rats from The Rat Deli which are a little bigger than the male rat that you posted. But with this increase to a larger sized prey, I am also extending her feedings out to every 3 weeks. When the time comes to move her up to rabbits I will extend the feedings out to once a month.

[bigsnakegirl785]

This is just an update. I'm sorry it took so long, I just wanted to wait until he was 6ft and I started on rabbits. I just figure I'd do an update and show what he looks like now, even if I'm not longer asking for advice.

He had his first 1lb rabbit 2 weeks ago, and I have one thawing out for in the morning. He's technically still 5ft 11in but he's close enough to 6ft and he's not growing very much anymore. He only grew an inch since the beginning of December. He weighs 3666 grams, or 8 lb 13 oz empty, so he's gained just over a pound just from that one rabbit (he was 7lb 11.6oz empty the day before I fed him - and I repeat yes he was empty before I fed him and he was empty when I measured just now so it's all weight gain). I've just recently started a bi-weekly schedule, and the last one was a bit late because of home situations. But this is what he looks like now, all these pictures are from today and of him completely empty.

http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/My%20Snakes/Cloud/IMG_1362_zps474b832e.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/My%20Snakes/Cloud/IMG_1362_zps474b832e.jpg.html)

http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/My%20Snakes/Cloud/IMG_1361_zps83b045f0.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/My%20Snakes/Cloud/IMG_1361_zps83b045f0.jpg.html)

http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/My%20Snakes/Cloud/IMG_1358_zps6bc9c19c.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/My%20Snakes/Cloud/IMG_1358_zps6bc9c19c.jpg.html)

http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/My%20Snakes/Cloud/IMG_1363_zps360bf49b.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/My%20Snakes/Cloud/IMG_1363_zps360bf49b.jpg.html)

It took him 2 weeks, give or take a day, for him to digest his rabbit whereas he was digesting all his rats in about a week. I have noticed a marked increase in his activity during handling since I adopted this feeding schedule. Although I don't see much nighttime activity (I'm usually up all night), he regularly switches between hides throughout the day.