Fat Spider ?

I just got my second bp yesterday off of kingsnake. I'm worried she is over weight, Her scales looked stretched to me. Also, on her under belly her scales feel... loose I guess is the best way to describe it. Is this normal in large snakes? Or should they be tighter to each other like in younger bps? Should I be worried? If she is over weight, what should I do? I was told she is on small rats. Im most concerned with the scales under her belly. I feel like they could be ripped off easily! :( I couldn't really get a visible pic of the under belly scales but she looks stretched out at certain angles and positions.
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...09/photo-1.jpg
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...09/photo-1.jpg

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...ve09/photo.jpg

Personally, I don't like to see skin between the scales like that, but it's less of a big deal with a breeding female.

If you want to reduce her weight, just reduce either the size or frequency of her prey.

So Should I switch her to even smaller mice and feed every ten days? Or two weeks? Or longer?

Shes probably just larger than your used to, referring to your scale question.
What is her weight? Small rats look appropriate for that snake.
A picture of her on the floor would help and a belly shot.

I'd rather see a photo of her at rest on the ground or in her bin, before I conclude whether or not she's overweight.

Obese females tend to slug out, so it's a good idea to cut them back if they're actually overweight. I've only had to do this with one female, ever.
I didn't get her weight down in time, and, just as predicted--slug fest, only a couple of good eggs in the whole mess. Once trimmed down, she produced a fine clutch the next year.

Trimmed down, by the way, was going from 4000 grams to 3500 grams--she's a big girl.
Unfortunately, there's no rule of thumb on this--you have to eyeball the snake, and make your best guess as to their ideal pre-breeding weight. They need to be nice and chubby, but not obese.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...09/photo-2.jpg
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...09/photo-3.jpg
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...09/photo-4.jpg
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/...09/photo-5.jpg

What does "Slug out" mean?

Obese? Perhaps? Unhealthy? Maybe? But I do know one thing! Thats a big girl! Are you certain shes not gravid?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tfpets

Obese? Perhaps? Unhealthy? Maybe? But I do know one thing! Thats a big girl! Are you certain shes not gravid?

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That's what I was thinking

I don't think so but I don't know She supposedly had a clutch of 8 this season...
Slightly worried :x