Fat boa? :(

I had my boy out last night, and I couldn't help but think that he just looks fat for a boa. Now he only goes to the bathroom maybe once a month (it's SO gross when he finally does...) and I notice he does get a little less "round" after he goes. I am still concerned though, as I have heard boas can be prone to overweight issues since they are pretty much garbage disposals. He is on weaned rats, and is on a 7 day feeding schedule. Occasionally I'll feed him a mouse snack as well, since I have two other rats I have to thaw out to scent, and he'll gladly take the leftover.

Sorry for the horrible pictures, I used my camera phone and it was taken last night.
http://i51.tinypic.com/2jebw95.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/282pe7p.jpg

I'm only concerned because most boas I see have the very nice defined rectangle shape...and he is a little round :rolleyes:

Also, ignore the spots on his nose...it is dried blood from obliterating a f/t rat....

Yes, he does look a little overweight to me. I feed my hatchlings once every five to seven days. Once they are around six months old, I feed them once every seven days. After a year, once every ten days. Two years, once every fourteen days. Adults get once every twenty-one days.

I do know he's a 2010, just no idea when exactly. I thought he was overweight...that sucks :( So should I feed every 10 days then? Is he going to get "back in shape" if I follow that schedule? He also starts getting rambunctious and "hunting mode" after about day 5 or 6 as if he's hungry....so I've just kept him on the same feeding day schedule as my balls.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

I do know he's a 2010, just no idea when exactly. I thought he was overweight...that sucks :( So should I feed every 10 days then? Is he going to get "back in shape" if I follow that schedule? He also starts getting rambunctious and "hunting mode" after about day 5 or 6 as if he's hungry....so I've just kept him on the same feeding day schedule as my balls.

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All of my boas want to eat after about a week, but I make them wait. The only ones that I will feed more often that the above schedule is my adult females right before breeding season.

Yes, he will get back into shape. He is not too much overweight, and it will not affect his health in any way. If you would have continued to feed him every seven days for years, it would have.

Good looking boa, BTW.

Thank you for your help, I am going to change to the 10 day feeding schedule. I think it will benefit him. It's funny because I've had him for a few months now, and he was SO skinny when I first got him. He's such a strong eater (like most boas lol) and is one of my favorite snakes. I only really kept him on the 7 day schedule because it was easier with my balls, and he seemed hungry and I worry about handling him when he's hungry since he's got a little 'tude to begin with lol. I appreciate the info, hopefully in a couple more months I can post pictures of him, just not fat :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Thank you for your help, I am going to change to the 10 day feeding schedule. I think it will benefit him. It's funny because I've had him for a few months now, and he was SO skinny when I first got him. He's such a strong eater (like most boas lol) and is one of my favorite snakes. I only really kept him on the 7 day schedule because it was easier with my balls, and he seemed hungry and I worry about handling him when he's hungry since he's got a little 'tude to begin with lol. I appreciate the info, hopefully in a couple more months I can post pictures of him, just not fat :)

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No problem. Keep us updated.

Here is a pick of Akita, don't know her exact age, around 5 or 6 yrs old. She gets 1 XXXL rat every 10 days.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...DSCF1533-1.jpg