How long to wait after feeding for a large boa?

[redshepherd]

I'm wondering in general- Would larger snakes eating large rats need a longer time to digest (before handling) than a small snake on adult mice? (just as an example)

My dumeril's is currently on medium rats, and I realize they digest a bit slower than ball pythons to begin with. I'm wondering if I should wait four days, or even longer as she gets bumped up in food size. Or if it is not needed, and just sticking to "3 days after eating" before handling is enough for her lifetime?

[bcr229]

I give all of my boas four days after feeding to digest. You're right, they have slower metabolisms than ball pythons so they take longer to process their meals.

On the bright side, they go a longer time between feedings (3-4 weeks) so it's not like you're losing handling time with them, it's just broken out into different blocks of time.

[CloudtheBoa]

I generally give all my snakes at least 48 hours to digest. My adult boa constrictor isn't eating that big of meals so I feel there's no reason to wait to handle him more than 72 hours. Regardless of age/size, if a snake has a particularly large meal I do wait longer, but I'm really hesitant to feed large meals to my snakes in the first place.

[Sauzo]

I generally give Rosey my 6'+ girl about 3 days after she eats her small rabbits. She more or less lets me know. She usually just curls up and relaxes for 3 days. When I open the cage during those times, she doesn't even pay attention to me. But after 3 days, she is always comes to front of the cage and checks me out and a lot of the times tries to climb on me as I'm trying to change her water lol. She is a very social snake. Regardless though, I would give minimum of 2 days no matter the size of the snake.

[GoingPostal]

After reading through a few of those digestion studies I wait 3-4 days on a big meal for the larger snakes I own before messing with them.

[dkatz4]

3 days is my minimum, though i've never felt the need to go longer b/c, similar to Sauzo, after about 2 and a half days he goes from post-meal couch potato (warm hide potato) to climbing nomad.

[bcr229]

Good point, if the boa is active at 3-4 days then by all means handle. If they're still curled up on the heat digesting then give them more time.