Is he hungry?

[Fataltix]

Hey guys,

So my 2010 male BP Shrike has been doing a lot of growing and I'm not sure I'm giving him enough food each week. I've been giving him a small rat every seven days (the rats are from rodentpro.com, so they are about 40-80g), but he's currently up to about 1600 grams (empty) and a little over four feet long so I'm starting to wonder if I need to go up in prey size. What would you guys feed a BP of that size?

The reason I ask is because he has become very active of late, wandering around his enclosure, trying to get out or looking for food. He is usually a big time shy guy and everything else husbandry wise is perfect .

Also, if you guys do think I should give him a bigger food item, would it be alright to feed him two of the small rats every seven days? I still have about 23 small rats and wouldn't want to waste them. They aren't even half the size of his girth, I don't want him to go hungry .

Thanks,
Fatal

[heathers*bps]

I'd say go up a prey size or two. And there's nothing wrong with giving him two at a feeding till you're done with what feeders you have.

[WarriorPrincess90]

Definitely go up in size once you're out of your feeders, but for now offer two per week. I have a 1600+g female that is 4 ft long and she eats big medium rats, but could probably take a large. Depends how thick your guy is and on the size of the rats you get. My guy's mediums are on the large size. Lol.

[Fataltix]

I figured as much... thanks a lot guys .

So when I offer him a second, should I simply wait until he is done with his first rat then let him strike at another? Or should I simply set the second one's head in his mouth when he's almost done swallowing the first?

Thanks,
Fatal

[Rat160]

I figured as much... thanks a lot guys .

So when I offer him a second, should I simply wait until he is done with his first rat then let him strike at another? Or should I simply set the second one's head in his mouth when he's almost done swallowing the first?

Thanks,
Fatal

I would wait until he is done with the first then give him round 2.

[Annarose15]

I figured as much... thanks a lot guys .

So when I offer him a second, should I simply wait until he is done with his first rat then let him strike at another? Or should I simply set the second one's head in his mouth when he's almost done swallowing the first?

Thanks,
Fatal

Sticking another rat in his mouth is power feeding. DO NOT DO THIS. Give him the choice as to whether he is still hungry enough for a second meal.