feeders

I feel like I'm in a posting frenzy!!

I fed my guy the other day. He's a little over 3 feet and 1550 grams. I fed him a so called medium rat that weighed 150 grams.

Now I didn't see any real noticeable lump from it. And it was smaller than his girth by far.

My question is. What's your bloods weight? And what size feeder are you giving em?

My blood is around 800-900, not positive, but I usually do about 75-100 grams, though if I have a larger one that I need to get rid of, I give her up to 130-140, but usually about 75-100. Your seems good, if wouldnt hurt to be doing 175 I think, but lets see what others say.

I figured I could step him up a little. Ill feed the rest of the 150ish gram rats I got for him. Then step up to something a little bigger.

Yeah I'd like to see what everybody else is doing too. Where's everybody else???

I personally wouldnt start feeding anything more than a weanling 50-60 gram rat for my girl, solely based on the idea that these animals have a slower metabolism compared to a ball python and the fact that they are kept at cooler temps. Now I dont have any real evidence to support that view, but I think it's healthy. Yes they are girthy animals, but there are WAY too many fat blood/sumatran pictures circulating around the internet. I am avoiding stuffing my animals. Just because they can eat a huge meal, doesnt mean they should.

Oh and, I have a little baby sumatran light head, at 222 grams, he gets fuzzys when he wants them, and the girl is around 800, and she gets weanlings.

my girl is ~1900grams. I feed her small rats. Shes about the size of your male. About 3 1/2 feet. :D

Hmmm. Smalls really? Just doesn't seem like itd be enough ya know?

I always figured to feed slightly less than girth.

How's she doin on smalls? Are you talking small smalls or like 75 grams and up?

I have a 1.5-2year old STP female that is around 3 ft and 1800-2000g. She's on 1-2 weaned rats(from Big Cheese Rodents) every 7-10 days. Keeps her happy and growing.

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Originally Posted by 2kdime

Hmmm. Smalls really? Just doesn't seem like itd be enough ya know?

I always figured to feed slightly less than girth.

How's she doin on smalls? Are you talking small smalls or like 75 grams and up?

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Wow, slighty less than girth? Do they make rats that big? lol. But really, its proven that these animals have a slower metabolism, so why shove more food down the gullet than what they will use? Check out VPI, Nerd, Hartwig, they have animals appropriately sized. Not fat sausage snakes. When they are older, spacing out the feedings to every 14 days with a small/med rat is good and advised. (nerd, hartwig, vpi)

Maybe Kara will pop on and give us the low down. ;)

No they certainly wouldn't have rats that big haha.

I have no problem feeding smaller rats. Whatever is healthiest for my guy. He's just been taking the larger ones no problem. So I figure everything is fine.

Yeah I'd like to see what kara has to say on the matter too.

thanks for the input everybody!!!

VPI Caresheet
"One small to medium rat per week is an adequate feeding schedule. We have observed large specimens to eat the largest rats and even small rabbits. However, we rarely feed large meals to this species. The species is a sedentary ambush predator with a slow and efficient metabolism—in other words, Borneos will get fat easily if fed too much. We feed the largest specimens only single medium-sized rats for meals."
NERD Caresheet
"Feed your Blood an appropriately sized rodent weekly. By "appropriately sized" we mean prey items that are no bigger around than the python at its largest point... These snakes are enthusiastic feeders and do well on a 7-day feeding regime as young animals. Sub-adult & adult bloods are prone to obesity due to a strong feeding response coupled with a slow metabolism. For animals of this age/size, a 10-14 day feeding schedule is strongly recommended..."

And as for Hartwig, he told us to feed our girl the same exact thing stated above, stressing how easy it is for them to become overweight.

I would use your best judgment when considering what size rodent to feed and how often. Hope all that helps!

My 12-16 lb breeder girls eat medium/lg (on the small side of lg, if that makes sense) rats every 10-14 days, depending on the snake & the rat. The "girth/lump" rule is pointless with bloods & STPs, as these snakes have very slow metabolisms & voracious feeding responses, and that combo can quickly lead to obesity.

Babies I'll feed good-sized (slightly noticeable bulge) meals every 7-10 days, but usually back them off by their first birthday or as necessary. Little ones will grow fairly quickly, big ones just get fat. :)

[edit] Hah, she beat me. dang

Wow Kara, do you have a notifier set up for when we call your name? :D Awesome

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Wow Kara, do you have a notifier set up for when we call your name? :D Awesome

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My Spidey Senses were tingling. ;)

Ok so I wonder if that's the reason my guy doesn't have the verocious (sp) feeding response.

Because he's getting fed more than he needs?

Hmmmmm......

well, I think they are like all snakes in that manner, if they are getting enough/ more than enough to eat, they will refuse.

My little short tail doesnt have a voracious feeding response at all. He's quite cute actually, he half asses a strike, grabs it and pulls it into his hide where he will look at it for a while, then decide he's hungry enough to eat it. (he gets f/t)

Jade, holy crap. She is the sweetest thing ever, but once I throw in a rat. !WHAM!, I think they die from impact. lol, I think every snake is different. It could be that she's full, but I cant really say.

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Originally Posted by 2kdime

Hmmm. Smalls really? Just doesn't seem like itd be enough ya know?

I always figured to feed slightly less than girth.

How's she doin on smalls? Are you talking small smalls or like 75 grams and up?

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At first I started smalls every two weeks. worked fine for me and her. Although had some mediums and she took it down like nothing. I shouldnt but its every 2 weeks for her. But im thinking about moving it back down to smalls. every 2 weeks. As a matter of fact. I posted some new videos if anyone is interested.
http://youtube.com/profile?user=nemesisazn

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

I have a 1.5-2year old STP female that is around 3 ft and 1800-2000g. She's on 1-2 weaned rats(from Big Cheese Rodents) every 7-10 days. Keeps her happy and growing.

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Sounds small, but what ever works. Thats just the same as a small every two weeks about right? If your doing weaned every 7-10days.:oops: