How can I help Zeke?

[JbirdAg96]

I adopted Zeke a few weeks ago. He's around 13yrs old and was drastically underfed. The previous owner only fed him 3 small mice every 2 months. He was fed those 3 mice the day I got him. Two weeks later I fed him 2 small rats and did so again last Friday. I've handled him a few times and noticed that his skin folds up when curls up. I have a student who's BP is younger, but twice as thick according to him.

How can I help Zeke gain some weight? Do I maintain my new feeding schedule of 2 small rats every 2 weeks? Should I start feeding him more often and keep the same amount of food? Should I keep the same time frame, but feed him larger feeders? His girth would dictate a medium rat, but his neck is so small I'm afraid of feeding him something that large.

TYIA

[Lucas339]

i hope someone answers. im interested in knowing this too.

good luck!!

[Oroborous]

If it was me, I'd feed him a med-sm. rat once a week if he'd take it. Or every other week. Just keep up with him and eventually he'll be up to weight. Good on you for taking him in, glad he's got a good home now.

[llovelace]

I would feed him 1 small 50-60g rat every 5 days to start getting his weight up, just make sure you have a uth for him to aide in digestion.

[kc261]

I'm not experienced with this kind of thing, but I would think 1 small rat once a week would be good.

[JbirdAg96]

When you say 50-60g rat what size is that? Since I'm rather new to BP Husbandry, I'm only familiar with small, medium, and large sizes. The local PetCo is the only location where I can get live feeders.

Also, aside from covering the stop with plastic/foil, what's a good way to keep the humidity up? He's got aspen shavings in there now, but I'll be changing that out soon. I want to go with something I can moisten, but will be safe for Zeke.

[Turbo Serpent]

Don't moisten his substrate too much as it can cause Scale rot.

I would also suggest feeding a small - medium rat every 5 - 7 days to get him back up to a healthy weight. Once he is back up to weight you can change his feeding schedule to every 7 - 10 days or some people will do every 2 weeks as well.

Congrats on your new addition, and hopefully you can fill him out!

[Spaniard]

The size of rats vary depending on where you're buying them from. 50-60 gram rats are usually classified as smalls.

As to your original question I think in the same scenario I would feed one small rat every 5 days. He will most likely not defecate much at first. When you start noticing the piles of poop getting bigger than I would slow down to a once per week schedule.

[JbirdAg96]

TYVM for the help folks. I'll try a medium rat next time and see how he does. If he takes it ok, I'll change to one of those once a week.


I've heard of another substrate that is safe for BPs and helps keep the humidity up at safe ranges. I can't remember what it is, but read it can be picked up at Lowes, Home Depot, etc. However, the catch was you have to get the pure form as the mixed contains harmful ingredients.


Update: Ahhh...just found the name. Its Cypres Mulch. Any idea where I can find some in the pure form. I've not been to our local Home Depot or Lowe's yet.

[Spaniard]

I think you might be thinking of Cypress Mulch for the substrate you can find at Home Depot, but don't quote me on that.