power feeding?

I don't know about BP's as related to power feeding, but Ihle and Kahl both have stated that with Red Tails, after being power fed, they usually don't live past 5 or 6. They are sick often and they have lousy litters.

Why couldn't you power feed a BP? I know why you shouldn't, but why can't it be done? Just curious, not trying to start anything...yet that is ;)

Lady my BP got way over fed when I first got her. (thanks to my husband :mad: )
she was given 4 small adult mice and 3 rat pups in one sitting. I thought for sure she would regurge but she didnt, a week later she wanted food again.I dont let my husband come in my snake room any more and i have her eating a small rat every week and has put on a very nice weight and is now at 1002gr. :D

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Originally Posted by joepythons

This is what i have been told and read on several forums.The ones stating this were breeders not just kids talking;) .

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Some "breeders" on another forum also said that you should keep ball pythons at low temperatures to keep them feeding good....they weren't just kids talking either.

my bp is in a 10 gallon glass tank that is currently 89 degrees on teh warm side created by an UTH and reptile heat lamp of 60 watts. Humidity is at high 40's. He eats 2 hoppers every monday, no regurgitating, normal fecal matter, and handles it like a champ. Its ok for everyone to state their opinions. I respect all and take them all into perspective. i guess it just depends on YOUR own snakes. Im sure each and every bp is unique in its own way. after all, reptiles , along with many other animals, can adapt to thier enviroment im sure.

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Originally Posted by jim020cricket

Why couldn't you power feed a BP? I know why you shouldn't, but why can't it be done? Just curious, not trying to start anything...yet that is ;)

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Since no studies have been done on this its hard to definitely say, but when in doubt I use common sense.

Humans need specific diet needs in regards to carbs, fat, proteins ect. When you consume above these requirements many negative things start to happen. Such as obesity, heart failure, diabeties, and so on. Although there can be genetic influences in these diseases a healthy diet has been proven to lower the risk of experiencing these conditions. If I carry over the same logic to snakes then I would assume that a snake consuming more than naturally required would exibit some form of negative effect. This is my own opinion.

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Originally Posted by Liquid Snake 06

Im sure each and every bp is unique in its own way. after all, reptiles , along with many other animals, can adapt to thier enviroment im sure.

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You were doing good in that post up until there.......a ball python might be able to *survive* in a variety of conditions, but may only be able to *thrive* under just the right conditions.

What seperates a good, experienced keeper from a beginner is the ability to identify what a snake needs to *thrive*, rather than knowingly keeping them just *alive* in sub-optimal conditions.

Boas can absolutely be powerfed. They are eating machines...

I believe the reason Adam stated BPs can't be powerfed is that they will self regulate by fasting if fed too much. Keep the meals small and once per week with BPs and you will be a-ok!

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Originally Posted by joepythons

This is what i have been told and read on several forums.The ones stating this were breeders not just kids talking;) .

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This is true for anything. Power feeding/ over eating will lead to Obesety...which will lead to health problems, which in turn... Will lead to early death...simple :O its not really too hard to work out !

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Originally Posted by Liquid Snake 06

will a snake eat if its NOT hungry? id like my bp to actually be quite big in his later years. i feed him 2 hoppers( baby mice, hair and eyes open) every monday. Now would it be ok to feed hime smaller sized mice in the middle of the week as a little snack? im assuming a snake will know when enough is enough correct?

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first how old is your bp? my 620 gram female an easily down 5 adult mice (but i feed medium rats). the only reason to power feed is if you want to breed this upcoming season. now before we jump to conclusions we really need a pic of the snake or if liquid snake can tell us how many grams her/his bp weighs. in my words 2 hopper mice = a large adult mouse. my 104 gram pastel male eats 1 adult mouse a week easily so if you fed 1 large prey item to your snake a week that will hold him over till next week,thus your snake will continue eating and you will have a consistantely feeding ball python:)

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Originally Posted by uro1001

first how old is your bp? my 620 gram female an easily down 5 adult mice (but i feed medium rats). the only reason to power feed is if you want to breed this upcoming season. now before we jump to conclusions we really need a pic of the snake or if liquid snake can tell us how many grams her/his bp weighs. in my words 2 hopper mice = a large adult mouse. my 104 gram pastel male eats 1 adult mouse a week easily so if you fed 1 large prey item to your snake a week that will hold him over till next week,thus your snake will continue eating and you will have a consistantely feeding ball python:)

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You feed medium rats to a 620 gm female? That's quite a meal...