Question about post-feeding behavior

[frankykeno]

We've just switched our snakes over from multiple adult mice to rat weans as of last week (so this would be week #2 of the new feeding program). The weans are about 4 to 4.5 inches in length (not counting their tails).

Kyna, the 23 month old female, took 2 and was content. Rionach, the 7 month old female, who currently weighs 450 grams and is about 28 inches long took one good sized wean but then searched and searched her enclosure for over half an hour, appearing to look for another one.

My question is this, the rat wean she took appeared to be the right size for her so why is she continuing to search so hard for another one? Is she just used to taking two prey items? When she was on 2 adult mice, she would sometimes look around a bit after the second one but fairly quickly settle down. Last night she was very aggressively (almost hyper) trying to find another thing to eat - definitely a different post feeding response than we've ever seen in this snake and not the response we saw last week after she took her first and single rat wean.

Should I have offered her another? I don't want to overfeed her and trigger a regurge or a fast but neither do I want to deny a hungry snake food.

Any ideas folks?


~~Jo~~

[Adam_Wysocki]

Is she just used to taking two prey items?

Exactly. Ball pythons are very much creatures of habit and used to their usual routines.

Just because they are "cruising" doesn't mean that you MUST give them food. My son can tear up an entire bag of cheetos and still ask for more, that doesn't mean he gets it!

"Stuffing" a snake is a recipie for fasting in the future! ... Feed small meals and feed "light" and he/she will eat every week year round!

-adam

[frankykeno]

Yep that's exactly why Rhi didn't get another rat weaner. We figured one was quite sufficient for a snake of her age and wieght/length and just figured it was her just following an established pattern of multiple prey and not knowing she'd actually had enough.

I'd expect that within another couple of weeks, she'll adjust to the new pattern but it's very reassuring to read your post Adam. Thanks as always. It's hard when your new to not have experience or instincts honed by years and numbers of snakes to rely upon. Our gut instinct was she wasn't really hungry and another weaner rat might trigger either a regurge or a break in her normal excellent feeding pattern, but I promised Mike I would ask in the forum just in case.


~~Jo~~

[Adam_Wysocki]

I think a lot of people fail to realize that unlike cats and dogs, you could really get away with feeding a ball python 5 or 6 times a year and it would be perfectly fine. The physiology of cold blooded reptiles is completely different than fish and warm blooded pets. When in doubt, feed less!!

-adam

[frankykeno]

LMAO all I could think about was I should take that advice to heart for myself! *eyes my own butt which indicates perhaps Joanna has a bit too much of an "excellent feeding response" this year*



~~Jo~~

[frankykeno]

Oh and watch what you all say in AIM chat with a couple of crazy sisters in this forum...no names...ya all know who you are! I ever so casually mentioned I was feeling girly crabby and stuff.....one of them suggested I might be going into shed and Mike should UP MY HUMIDITY!

Don't they know my silly arse husband will now chase me with the garden hose everytime I step outta the door! LMAO

You all are quite crazy and I love it!


~~Jo~~

[tigerlily]

Wow, I can't imagine anyone being silly enough to suggest something like that. (I need a smilie w/a halo!) Well at least we don't have to worry about you getting dehydrated.

[mlededee]

haa haaaaa! you guys are hilarious!

speaking of silly bps cruising for more food though, i have 2 in particular that always do that. now, they have always only been given one prey item per feeding, but they always beg for more. i look at their fat little bellies and say nooooo way there darling, there is no way another rat is fitting into that belly. i think they just have really good feeding responses and the smell of rat in the air makes them excited and they think they need to eat, eat, eat!