Is he hungry?

Hey guys,

So my 2010 male BP Shrike has been doing a lot of growing and I'm not sure I'm giving him enough food each week. I've been giving him a small rat every seven days (the rats are from rodentpro.com, so they are about 40-80g), but he's currently up to about 1600 grams (empty) and a little over four feet long so I'm starting to wonder if I need to go up in prey size. What would you guys feed a BP of that size?

The reason I ask is because he has become very active of late, wandering around his enclosure, trying to get out or looking for food. He is usually a big time shy guy and everything else husbandry wise is perfect :).

Also, if you guys do think I should give him a bigger food item, would it be alright to feed him two of the small rats every seven days? I still have about 23 small rats and wouldn't want to waste them. They aren't even half the size of his girth, I don't want him to go hungry :tears:.

Thanks,
Fatal

I'd say go up a prey size or two. And there's nothing wrong with giving him two at a feeding till you're done with what feeders you have.

Definitely go up in size once you're out of your feeders, but for now offer two per week. I have a 1600+g female that is 4 ft long and she eats big medium rats, but could probably take a large. Depends how thick your guy is and on the size of the rats you get. My guy's mediums are on the large size. Lol.

I figured as much... thanks a lot guys :).

So when I offer him a second, should I simply wait until he is done with his first rat then let him strike at another? Or should I simply set the second one's head in his mouth when he's almost done swallowing the first?

Thanks,
Fatal

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fataltix

I figured as much... thanks a lot guys :).

So when I offer him a second, should I simply wait until he is done with his first rat then let him strike at another? Or should I simply set the second one's head in his mouth when he's almost done swallowing the first?

Thanks,
Fatal

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I would wait until he is done with the first then give him round 2.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fataltix

I figured as much... thanks a lot guys :).

So when I offer him a second, should I simply wait until he is done with his first rat then let him strike at another? Or should I simply set the second one's head in his mouth when he's almost done swallowing the first?

Thanks,
Fatal

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Sticking another rat in his mouth is power feeding. DO NOT DO THIS. Give him the choice as to whether he is still hungry enough for a second meal.