What the...??

[Andy_G]

When I got my IJ in July, he was 22''. He is now 2 inches short of 4 feet and I am not power feeding or anything, one item a week 1.5x the girth. I've been sort of worrying about why he's growing so fast and if i'm power feeding or not, anybody got an idea??

You would also think that if he's growing this fast that he must be shedding like mad, well, the shortest time period thus far has been 29 days.

What is up???

[Tim_Cranwill]

That's awesome! My male has grown fast too but not quite that fast. Is he eating rats?

I wouldn't worry...

[Andy_G]

He's eating rats. Jordan has been telling me that I must be powerfeeding for him to grow that fast so I am like ????? lol.

[Tim_Cranwill]

Well, you know better than anyone if you're "power feeding" or not.... From the sounds of it, you are doing a GREAT job. :)

[Piers]

snakes are like people, some grow faster than others. once a week for feeding isn't power feeding.
Sheding once a month for a young snake is normal. I wouldn't be concerned.
Piers

[RepTylE]

Sounds like you are going to have a monster there. That growth rate is really something. I follow the same feeding regimen and my IJ hasn't grown anywhere near as fast.

[Invictus]

That's a great growth rate, but how often and what size prey do you feed him? From the sounds of things though, you have a healthy snake, and should be congratulating yourself, not worrying.

If you're giving it say, a medium rat every 5 days, you are power feeding. Short of that, I'd say you're doing well, but I guess we need to know what the feeding regimen is before we can comment on that. :)

[reverendsterlin]

I keep records. I feed all my animals what they will eat until there growth rate drops below 25% per year. At that time I decrease feedings, feeding are further decreased when growth drops below 15% a year. My adult animals gain about 10% or less every year. This is the best method I have seen used over many years, I find too many folks shorting their animals when young and too much when older. Best method is scientific as far as I'm concerned.

[Tim_Cranwill]

Invictus, he said what is feeding schedule was. :)

[Andy_G]

I know that he is healthy and that it's an amazing growth rate. He's active and slim as carpets should be, loves to look around outside of the cage and he's a very agressive feeder, but I just thought that somehow I was doing something wrong or feeding too much because that growth rate is like...5 inches per month lol.

Rev, that sounds like a really good strategy, I keep the records of shedding and feeding as well.

I guess i'm doing ok and he will just be a big lad??

[Invictus]

You still haven't told us how often you give it a prey item. Every 5 days? Every week? Every hour on the hour? :D

Tim - No he didn't. :) He said WHAT he was feeding, not how often. :)

[Andy_G]

Look again man, I said "one item a week 1.5x the girth", it's a direct quote ^_^. I've missed info before too so don't worry. :)

[Tim_Cranwill]

Tsk, Tsk Ken, you need to work on you reading comprehension skills. ;)

Kidding... :D

[TheRedDragon]

*LOL* Tim! You beat me to the mockery! Damn you! :D

[Tim_Cranwill]

;) Somewone had to say it. I'm just glad it was me! :D

[RepTylE]

You're doing great with your snake and so what if he is a fast grower? Just keep him away from the neightbour's poodle.