Am I overfeeding my snake?

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Originally Posted by kgrah1

That makes sense. I have a heat lamp that I don't use for her, would that work for warming rodents, or do I need to dig for the hairdryer? Usually I just boil some water and thaw the mice in that, but I suppose that wouldn't work well if I need to keep the mouse scent on the rat.

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I think the hair dryer would work better and quicker. But whatever is more convenient for you. Be careful with the boiling water you don't want to cook the rodents!! :colbert:

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Originally Posted by kgrah1

I'd like to get her on rats, but she's pretty stubborn about it. Then again, the last time I tried was near the start of a feed strike, and the prey size was too big and it scared her. The ones I have now are only a little bigger than her mice, so maybe she'll take them.

Whenever she's afraid of a mouse, like if it's too big, she won't go for it. But if for some reason I get bit, like if I smell like mouse or vaguely like alcohol, she gets a confidence boost, having attacked what she sees as a much larger predator. Then the big mouse isn't so scary and she'll usually eat it. She's my first snake, so I like to try and figure out how she thinks. I notice she prefers mice if the have tumors.

Any tips on getting her to try rats?

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Scent it with a mouse or just wait an extra week until she is good and hungry. Then try a rat the same size as the mouse you feed her. I would try that first and if that fails, then scent said rat with a mouse and try again. Regardless though, I would try and get switched over asap before she completely imprints on mice. I mean its not the end of the world, just when she is big, you will have to feed her 3-4 mice per feeding to fill her up vs 1 rat.

That is one healthy looking well proportioned snake. I would not be at all concerned about that animal. It may be adding length faster than girth, and may eventually be longer than most balls, but it is not emaciated in any way. My ball is about the same age as yours and just about 250 grams. Some gain weight faster than others. As long as your snake is healthy carry on.

David

Seems a little lite. I have a 7 month old bp that is twice that weight. He has been a great eater as well though, so I know that makes a difference. I would step up the feedings. Two mice maybe or small rats? Around 40 grams per feeding or so would help it gain some weight I think.

Oh and careful putting mice in water that was just boiling... You might cook the mouse instead of just thawing it. Sounds gross and I think it isn't good for your snake.

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Originally Posted by nightrainfalls

That is one healthy looking well proportioned snake. I would not be at all concerned about that animal. It may be adding length faster than girth, and may eventually be longer than most balls, but it is not emaciated in any way. My ball is about the same age as yours and just about 250 grams. Some gain weight faster than others. As long as your snake is healthy carry on.

David

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my Queenbee is the same almost weighing 200 at 8 months. Only eats ones a week and is active and healthy looking happy snake. Well she loves to move up to my face when holding. When prior owner told me she is like a puppy she let all the neiborhood kids hold her I was put off a little but love now! She swims up to my arm when bathing in the tub if I make it accessible.