Size feeding question

valid · 03-13-13, 11:18 PM

Please excuse the crud quality- I had to use my phone.

So today I had to go any buy some new frozen rodents -
I've been noticing lately that my snake has been wanting 2 pinkies, I figured that it might be time to move him up to a small fuzzy but looking at them they seemed huge, so I just bought another box of pinkies. Upon feeding him, I am now wondering if I should have bought the fuzzies - this picture was taken about 5 minutes after feeding (No, he is not on the carpet he is in a feed bin -yes I do use bins- ) He seems to barely have a feed bump at all.
I'd love some other opinions, should I continue just feeding 2 pinkies, or try to move him up to small fuzzies ... ?

He is about 5/6 months old.

stephanbakir · 03-13-13, 11:49 PM

thats a decent bulge, you could go one size bigger but its not a huge deal. Use the rest of your pinkies then swap up a size.

valid · 03-13-13, 11:53 PM

I don't want to waste the ones I just bought certainly (They jumped in price since I last bought them . . man I miss being able to breed the mice myself)

Looking at it again, it does seem bigger than I thought - I think I will stick with feeding two pinkies for now, the fuzzies still seem to big.

Starbuck · 03-14-13, 03:42 AM

how long is your guy? From what i've read, more smaller items is better than a single larger item, to most extent. You could always up him to even 3 pinkies towards the end of this box; if he does that no problem then you could switch to fuzzies. He's pretty cute thought

KORBIN5895 · 03-14-13, 05:10 AM

I'm pretty sure you have that backwards buck. If I remember correctly a larger meal cause the heart and other organs to enlarge.

Personally I feed a lot larger than that.

valid · 03-14-13, 11:42 AM

He is just short of 10 inches.
I may try the three pinky thing next time I feed.
I don't want to burn through my stock, but I don't want leave him hungry either.

new question- what is the size difference between rat and mouse pinkies. .

stephanbakir · 03-14-13, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valid

He is just short of 10 inches.
I may try the three pinky thing next time I feed.
I don't want to burn through my stock, but I don't want leave him hungry either.

new question- what is the size difference between rat and mouse pinkies. .

Frozen Mice, Frozen Rats, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Chicks and Quail Tons of sizing info on there.

Starbuck · 03-14-13, 01:41 PM

Korbin, i meant on the side of the extreme. i would rather feed my juvenile snakes 2-3 smaller items than the max-sized prey they could potentially swallow; i think they digest them quicker due to the increased surface area/volume, and theres less likelihood for the prey item to rot and then cause regurg. In the case of this OPs sand boa, i think it sounds like it could handle a fuzzy, but 3 pinkies shouldnt do any harm either. It all depends on the individual snake too, my Pine snake refuses to eat more than 2 prey items at a time, regardless of size :P

KORBIN5895 · 03-14-13, 02:22 PM

Okay. I understand that but I'm pretty sure it's healthier for the snake to eat on larger prey item then a couple of smaller ones.

valid · 03-14-13, 04:12 PM

Alright, thank you for the input guys. I think I will finish out what I have, and then possibly bump up. It does make more sense to just get a bigger size than have to feed 2/3 at a time.

valid · 03-15-13, 09:43 PM

Added a pic. I had to buy a fuzzy for my milk any way- figured I'd see the size comp.
Think it's still ok?

Starbuck · 03-15-13, 10:00 PM

Do i think he COULD eat it? yes.
Do i think he SHOULD...? no :/
it does look a little big, though maybe the angle of the picture is misleading? I would feed 2-3 pinkies instead. The shop i get my F/T feeders from will often pick through their stock for me to get 'large pinkies' or 'small fuzzies', maybe yours would too?

KORBIN5895 · 03-15-13, 10:29 PM

Yeah. I would do it. A snake won't eat anything too big for it.

valid · 03-15-13, 10:46 PM

I have about a month month of pinkys left which I will finish out. (not including shed time) I think he may be ready for them after that. Holding it next to his body it is not as big as I first thought. It's still large don't get me wrong/but not HUGE in comparison. Most of that is fur.

I my may have to find some one who sells sizes as well. Right now I am buying them at petsmart, but that is only because it is a mile away - I'd love to find another source. I swear they have jumped in price 20cents every time I have bought them ..

stephanbakir · 03-15-13, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

A snake won't eat anything too big for it.

That is one of the least informed statements I've ever heard. Please do some research and try again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by valid

Added a pic. I had to buy a fuzzy for my milk any way- figured I'd see the size comp.
Think it's still ok?

He will be fine eating that... although I wouldn't go any bigger.