The Feeding Day Cruise

I've noticed that Magnus knows his feeding schedule now. He's due up today, and despite working hard yesterday on a bad shed, he's more eager to eat than ever. He's face-rubbing, eyeing me up while I mist his tank, periscoping (the single cutest snake behavior ever!) and sure enough, as soon as the lukewarm mouse is in front of his face, SLAM! It's in his mouth.

What are some behaviors that tell you your ball is on the roll for some dinner?

Our boys will perch on top of their hides and stare out hungrily, or sit with their face out of their hide. Haven't noticed much cruising, but they are definitely in feeding mode whenever you peek at them. As soon as you get those feeders in front of the heat to warm up, they're all ready.

Mine doesn't cruise unless I didn't give her enough. Otherwise she just waits with her head sticking out of her hide waiting for me to lower the mouse in front of her face. :P

Mine will just look out his enclosure at me or lay on his branch just waiting :) usually the day before feeding

I was surprised to see mine, minutes after slamming down his mouse, to actually continue cruising, going so far as to actually curl up on his swing and stare out at me until I fell asleep. Maybe it's time to size up...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Archimedes

I was surprised to see mine, minutes after slamming down his mouse, to actually continue cruising, going so far as to actually curl up on his swing and stare out at me until I fell asleep. Maybe it's time to size up...

---

It probably is time to upsize. Mice only last you so long as a single-serve, which is why I prefer rats.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Annarose15

It probably is time to upsize. Mice only last you so long as a single-serve, which is why I prefer rats.

---

I wish I had a scale, then I'd know where to go via the 20% ruling most people go by. What is generally an appropriate size up from adult mice?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Archimedes

I wish I had a scale, then I'd know where to go via the 20% ruling most people go by. What is generally an appropriate size up from adult mice?

---

A digital kitchen scale is only ~$25 from Walmart. And the "rule" is 10-15%, not 20%. I'd start with a rat pup, which is about the same size as an adult mouse. You can look on MiceDirect's and RodentPro's websites to see the general size range of each classification.

Depending on where you are getting them from there are some gaps between sizes where one is too small and the next one up is too large. You should definitely get a digital scale just so you can monitor your snakes growth and health. If he ever goes off feed you'll want to know if he starts loseing weight and how much. For feeders you can also look at the girth of the snake at it's widest point and select a prey item the same size. You may have to feed two smaller prey if your snake isn't quite big enough to go to the next size. Switching to rats is beneficial because they contain more protein and fat than mice.