After Feeding behavior

[unimom]

Okay, first of all DD is in shed, or seems to be, I was told snakes probably won't eat while in shed. DD just ate two small rats again. Now he seems to be looking around for more. I thought he would be stuffed and just lay there. Is this normal behavior?

[tigerlily]

It seems to be in the air. I think it's due to the snake's innate sense that winter is coming. Both of mine have been in super feeding mode, but I don't suscribe to the notion that you need to feed a snake as much as it can eat. I don't do it with my dogs or with myself. I don't feel it's ever healthy to eat as much as you can, no matter what type of animal you happen to have. Two small rats is more than enough. I wouldn't offer any more, but again that would be my personal preference. Just remember if you continue to feed large meals you will most likely experience fasting.

[unimom]

So should I back him down to one small rat? Should I try a med size rat? Should I go with longer than 1 week between feeds?

[tigerlily]

I would give him a small rat once a week, but that would be my preference depending on his size. How big is your boy?

When I started out I fed as big as the widest point on the snake and Lily would often skip a week here or there. I upped her to small rats, but I think I may have done that prematurely as she has skipped her last meal, so I am going back to weaned rats. My rescue Dandylion is still a big pig, but I think she's trying to play catch up. She's finally filled out a bit and looks good. She's only up to 2 jumbo adult mice and she seems fine with that.

[unimom]

I would give him a small rat once a week, but that would be my preference depending on his size. How big is your boy?

DareDevil is about 44 inches per the measuring software available here. I posted a pic of him yesterday in the gallery.

[tigerlily]

I would think a small rat should do him fine.

[mlededee]

i looked at the the pic of DD, and he looks to be a pretty good sized snake. i personally would offer a second rat at each feeding if he seems to want it. now, i am more used to feeding females with the goal of bulking them up for breeding, but unless i learn something that proves it is not a good idea (adam?) when my males get to be that size i will offer them more than one small rat per feeding.

[Eddie_Z]

It is in the air cuz I tell ya, Hissy has been cruisin every single nite since two nites after her last feed. She has been on the freakin prowl for some grub. She is one of those that usually just sits in her hide for days on end & only comes out to grab a quick drink or switch hides to a different temp. Lately though it seems like I can't get enough food down her throat. Trust me though, this is a welcomed change since she did not eat last year from September all the way through like March of this year.

[frankykeno]

Ours are all doing that "feed me feed me I want more" thing to! We're going to up Kyna's food this week as she also still playing catch up. Rionach is just a pig and is likely fine where she is on one fat wean rat per week (she's only 7 months old and just a hair under a pound in weight and about 30 inches long).

As far as DD, I know some of our snakes really take some time to settle down again after they eat. I guess their hunting instinct is just still on high gear afterwards for some time.

I'm no expert but maybe if he is taking 2 small rats, not refusing to eat (fasting), has a good consistent feeding response and is growing in both length and appropriate girth...I'd think you are doing something right there LOL.


~~Jo~~

[Adam_Wysocki]

i looked at the the pic of DD, and he looks to be a pretty good sized snake. i personally would offer a second rat at each feeding if he seems to want it. now, i am more used to feeding females with the goal of bulking them up for breeding, but unless i learn something that proves it is not a good idea (adam?) when my males get to be that size i will offer them more than one small rat per feeding.

I've never fed a male ball python of any size more than 1 small rat in a week unless it was a male that I was not planning on breeding. I don't even feed many of my male breeders every 7 days. Sometimes they get fed every 2 or even 3 weeks. Heavy males make lazy horrible breeders.

"Bulking" is a touchy subject for females. You really don't want them to be "bulky" because fat girls will throw slugs or nothing at all. Breeder females should be "tight" for optimal breeding results.

-adam