Growing like weeds

[EL-Ziggy]

Chomper was 85g when he arrived on 9/2/15. He was 505g today.



Shredder was 31g when he arrived on 9/22/15. He's 213g today.

[Tigerhawk]

Wow they both look great. What are you feeding them and how often?

[Gio]

Refresh my memory Zig,

Chomper is?? Coastal/jag?

Shredder looks all jungle to me and very colorful.

Both from Nick?

Sorry you are on such a hot streak, I for get who is who and from where.

[EL-Ziggy]

@ Tiger- I usually feed the carpets 10-15% of their body weight per feeding. The Coastal eats every 6-7 days. He ate a (40g) rat weaner and a (37g) chick tonight. He can easily handle small rats. The Jungle eats every 5-6 days. He ate two (20g) rat pups tonight. He's ready for weaned rats but I have a fresh bag of rat pups I just opened. They grow fast!

@ Gio- Chomper is a normal Caramel Coastal. I almost bought a female Caramel Coastal Jag to pair with him but I decided I won't be breeding any of my snakes so I went with that male Bredli for more diversity. All three of my carpets were produced by Nick Mutton. I'm a big fan of his work with Morelia.

[Reinz]

They both look great Zig! Chomper's growth rate is pretty amazing.

Good job

[EL-Ziggy]

Thanks Reinz- Chomper was a little undersized (85g) when I got him as a yearling but I didn't think he'd increase his body weight by almost 600% in just 5 months. He was hatched on 6/24/14 and I got him 9/2/15. Shredder's weight gain is even more pronounced. He's almost 7x heavier than when he arrived 4.5 months ago. He's gone from 31g - 213g. Does my feeding regiment sound ok to you? I don't believe I'm over feeding them but I'm curious to hear yours and other keeper's thoughts. This is my first experience with carpets but I'm on par with most care sheet feeding guidelines.

[Reinz]

Zig- while I have no experience with hatchlings, it sure looks to me that you are spot on by seeing those photos.

Of course as their growth rate slows down the feedings should be spread out more, less frequent that is. Whether it is at 12- 18 months or 2 years, that is up to the individual snake. As long as they retain that long, round slender shape, you're good.

I'm feeding my yearling Jungle every 7 days, and plan to spread it to 10-12 days mid year or so. It's only my opinion, but I think slow steady growth is best after a year or so.

The 2 year old Coastals eat every 10-12 days, but will probably go to 21 days sometime this year.

The 5 1/2 year old Coastal is fed every 4-5 weeks since her growth rate is at the minimum now.

I'm not giving out guidelines, just saying what is working for my snakes right now. Of course all of this is open to change depending upon individual situations.

[Tigerhawk]

Very nice. Your feeding schedule seems to work well for you. I may have to try it myself. Again they both look great.

[EL-Ziggy]

I try to keep it simple. The plan is to feed every 5-7 days for the 1st year, every 7-10 days for the 2nd year, and every 10-14 days thereafter. I believe it's worked well so far but I'll tweak it as needed.

[EL-Ziggy]

The boys were up and out early this morning so I grabbed a couple of quick pics. They're both due for a shed so they're a little dull.