Hungry Like He's Starving

[Unstable3lement]

I feed my BP's once a week and a good sized rat...but lately one of my BP is acting like he is hungry all the time. I fed him a few days ago and everyday when I walk into the room he gets into his "I know it is feeding time" pose. Is this normal? Should I feed him, or not feed him? I am nervous about handling him now because I don't want him to mistake my hand for food. My other BP is kinda not super interested in food Any advice would be appreciated.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

If any of mine do that, I give them what they want. It's nearly impossible to over feed a BP as long as you do not feed prey that is too big or do not wait at least 3-4 days between feedings. You don't want to stress their system and cause regurge.

I usually have a few babies every year which are bottomless pits. Like a 500 gram 2010 I have now who isn't a year old yet. I offer him a weaned rat every 4-5 days. I offer a slightly smaller rodent to the ones I feed that often.

At some point, they will go off feed. Either for weeks or months. If you have the chance to fatten them up, go for it. They usually never eat that well forever. Take advantage of it.

[psychophobia]

i dont think she hungry.maybe she not comfortable.try check ur husbandry again.

[Unstable3lement]

Can you explain a little further by what you meant by not "waiting at least 3-4 days" between feedings?

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

You don't want to feed even a hatchling BP more often than every 4 days. It takes 3-4 days to digest a normal sized meal (no bigger around than the snakes widest section).

Many breeders will feed new babies as often as every 4 days. Since some are hard "starters" and won't take their first meal right away, this helps the baby to catch up once that feeding response kicks in.

My breeders that go off feed every year for a period of weeks to months get fed, or at least offered food, every 4-5 days.

If your BP is otherwise relaxed and healthy, there is no harm in giving him a little more if he wants it. Of course, if he's cruising the enclosure a lot and doesn't seem relaxed, then you want to rule out any other issues first.

[Unstable3lement]

He appears relaxed...staying in his hide and not moving around. But it seems he senses when I walk in the room and his head pops out kinda waiting for something. He hasn't acted like this before. Should I feed him bigger initial meals?

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

How old/big is he? It is the time of year now when they start eating a lot and bulking up for the next fall/winter season.

If he's use to eating every 7 days then offer every 5 days. This behavior won't last so like I said, take advantage.

[loonunit]

Yeah, I wait 5 days between meals. But I do offer seconds if the snake wants them and doesn't already look like they ate a football. He'll keep eating until he suddenly decides to skip several months--at this age, you might as well plump him up.

[Unstable3lement]

I believe he is about about 1.5 years give or take a month or so.