Store owner said two rats?

[theJuju]

I went to my local fish and snake store today and the owner told me to feed my BP two medium rats. I've been feeding him one (he's a 2 yr old adult, about 3ft long) but he always seems a bit hungry and I never see even a slight food bulge. The large rats looked WAY too big, and there was no in between size. He said he feeds even their biggest BPs two medium rats in a row, never the large size.

I was curious as to other people's opinions.

(Also, I know the whole 10 or 15% of weight thing, but I have no scales and see no need to invest in them since I am not breeding. Thanks!)

[Inknsteel]

A scale is one of the most important husbandry items IMO, whether you're planning to breed or not.

But to answer your question, I don't know anyone who would feed a bp two medium rats in a row. Adults do not need to be fed meals as large and frequent as growing snakes. I have heard many people, breeders included, who don't ever feed anything larger than a small rat to an adult bp. You should be fine on one small rat every 7 days...

EDIT: The general guideline if you really are against buying a scale is to feed one prey item approximately as big around as the thickest part of your bp.

[The Serpent Merchant]

you can pick up a scale for $15 that will work good enough. It really is important to have even if you do not plan on breeding. this is perfect proof of that. If you had a scale you would know exactly how much to feed your snake.

[angllady2]

Well, that all depends on your medium rats.

One store's medium is another store's small and another store's large. This is why a scale is a critical piece of husbandry, regardless if you breed or not. You can pick up a digital food scale from Wal-Mart for around $15.

My medium rats weigh in at 85 to 105 grams, and most of my snakes eat one medium every 7 days. My large rats are 125 to 150 grams, and my bigger males eat those just fine. However, some people's large rats are 200 to 250 grams, and those would be much too big for any but my giant females.

So if you weigh your "medium" rats at 75 grams, and your male is 900 grams or heavier, then you know the food is a little on the small side.

Gale

[theJuju]

The general guideline if you really are against buying a scale is to feed one prey item approximately as big around as the thickest part of your bp.

That's how I've been eyeballing it. Their medium rats are a bit smaller than the thickest area of him, but the large ones seemed far too big.

I'll think about investing in scales. I suppose it makes sense, I just never thought to since I don't intend on breeding.

[KatStoverReptiles]

The general guideline if you really are against buying a scale is to feed one prey item approximately as big around as the thickest part of your bp.

^^ This. For an adult BP...every 7 to 10 days. If you're really unsure about judging sizes, take a piece of string and put it around your bp at it's widest point. Mark on the string where they meet around your snake. Then do this to the rat (might have to have someone help hold it). Viola!!

[WingedWolfPsion]

1) If he's 2, he's not an adult.
2) There's no cause to ever feed 2 medium rats at once. Feed one, every 7 to 10 days.

[theJuju]

1) If he's 2, he's not an adult.

Oh, good then! That actually makes me happy. I hope he gets a bit longer then. How old is considered adult when they stop growrth?

^^ This. For an adult BP...every 7 to 10 days. If you're really unsure about judging sizes, take a piece of string and put it around your bp at it's widest point. Mark on the string where they meet around your snake. Then do this to the rat (might have to have someone help hold it). Viola!!

That's a good method too. And simple, since I feed F/T.

[The Serpent Merchant]

They never completely stop growing, but it significantly slows down after 3-5 years.

[satomi325]

Exactly what everyone said. 1 med rat is fine.
I got a 7000 limit kitchen gram scale off an ebay retailer new for 8$ free shipping. It works great.