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  1. #1
    BPnet Veteran SRMD's Avatar
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    Weight loss percentage + Feeding

    What percentage of weight loss is considered healthy for a BP?

    I weighed my BP in September he was 890g, weighed him tonight and he is 888g, Is that a healthy weight loss?

    Also, I have decided to feed him one small rat every month. Offering a rat every 14 days Just never works as he will most probably just refuse. I have found that since I have started to feed one small rat every month, He will without a doubt accept it. I'm from the UK so the small rats are of a decent size. Is this feeding schedule fine?

    Thank You
    Last edited by SRMD; 10-22-2015 at 02:04 PM.
    Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.

  2. #2
    BPnet Veteran Mustang5's Avatar
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    Re: Weight loss percentage + Feeding

    I wouldn't worry about the weight loss. Its only 2g and your snake sounds healthy. For the feeding schedule it sounds to me like once a month is a little long. I would continue to try 2-3 weeks until he is consistent. If not maybe try a medium rat once a month if you can't get him to feed every 2 weeks. He should be able to take a medium rat.

  3. #3
    BPnet Veteran SRMD's Avatar
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    Re: Weight loss percentage + Feeding

    Quote Originally Posted by Mustang5 View Post
    I wouldn't worry about the weight loss. Its only 2g and your snake sounds healthy. For the feeding schedule it sounds to me like once a month is a little long. I would continue to try 2-3 weeks until he is consistent. If not maybe try a medium rat once a month if you can't get him to feed every 2 weeks. He should be able to take a medium rat.
    Small rat's are around 100-150g..(and they are quite wide) where I live. I'm not sure my BP would accept a medium.
    Maybe I will have to try it sometime, Thank you for your reply.
    Last edited by SRMD; 10-22-2015 at 02:17 PM.
    Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.

  4. #4
    BPnet Veteran Mustang5's Avatar
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    Re: Weight loss percentage + Feeding

    Quote Originally Posted by SRMD View Post
    Small rat's are around 100-150g..(and they are quite wide) where I live. I'm not sure my BP would accept a medium.
    Maybe I will have to try it sometime, Thank you for your reply.
    Yeah anytime. I think the weights might be a little different in UK than. Because the small rats I have are about 80-100g and the mediums are about 150-200g. I still don't think it would hurt to try a medium though.
    Last edited by Mustang5; 10-22-2015 at 02:24 PM.

  5. #5
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    Re: Weight loss percentage + Feeding

    Quote Originally Posted by SRMD View Post
    What percentage of weight loss is considered healthy for a BP?

    I weighed my BP in September he was 890g, weighed him tonight and he is 888g, Is that a healthy weight loss?

    Also, I have decided to feed him one small rat every month. Offering a rat every 14 days Just never works as he will most probably just refuse. I have found that since I have started to feed one small rat every month, He will without a doubt accept it. I'm from the UK so the small rats are of a decent size. Is this feeding schedule fine?
    From your other post it sounds like the rats are 100g to 150g. That's a pretty good sized meal for an 890g BP.

    As long as he's taking them without problem, and he's healthy and gaining weight consistently, your feeding schedule should be fine. You gotta find what works for your specific snake and it sounds like you have.
    Last edited by 200xth; 10-22-2015 at 02:57 PM.
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  6. #6
    Super Moderator bcr229's Avatar
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    A two gram loss of weight for a ball python is nothing. One bowel movement could be more than that.

  7. #7
    Telling it like it is! Stewart_Reptiles's Avatar
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    2 grams is nothing that's 0.03 ounces

    Acceptable weight loss is not about % it more of an overall look and general condition of the animal.

    You have a male in is prime for breeding so his refusal could be breeding related or seasonal or he might just be one of those animals that does not eat as much as others, keep in mind that in captivity snakes tend to be overfed anyway, and are offered a lot more food than what they would come across in their natural environment.

    Small rats are fine so long he is eating he will be fine and also make sure he is well hydrated.
    Deborah Stewart


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    Old enough to remember. Freakie_frog's Avatar
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    2 grams is a good pee or poo for a ball. It's good, when he loses 200 grams then worry.

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