Bel ratsnake- tiny! Should i feed her early?

Hey guys! I just discovered this site and am thrilled to join the community.

This snake was just delivered today, normally I wait at least 5 days to feed but am thinking I may need to feed sooner. I have been wanting a BEL for a while now and am thrilled to have one in my collection! I'm relieved that she is aware and active, shipping animals always makes me nervous especially when there was no heat pack in her shipping box.

This girl was hatched in August, I was expecting her to be bigger than she is so I emailed the breeder and asked when she was last fed. He said that he put her in brumation for a couple months and that's why she is so small. She was fed two weeks ago Saturday. A snake this size I would normally feed every 5 days.

Should I wait and feed her in 5 days or not? Any clarity on this subject is very appreciated!

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...mg.cc/dZ3DFLnV [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/IMG-1855.jpg[/IMG]

Sorry for the terrible quality photographs!

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...mg.cc/G8H1hG0V [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...D/IMG-1843.jpg[/IMG]

Based on what I can see she doesn't look skinny to me. I think you're fine waiting 5 days, but it certainly can't hurt to try sooner. I typically wait, but I do know of many reliable keepers who feed right away with no issues.

Since she was shipped without heat, that means she's had some chill, so both for that reason and because she was shipped (that's stressful with or without heat) as is
being re-homed, I'd wait several days at least, just to let her adjust. I'm not saying you need a full 5 days, if she's looking ravenous in 3 or 4 days, you're probably OK
to feed, but do give her a few days to settle in. Rat snakes have a lot of personality, they're usually quite hardy & she's adorable btw...so congrats on your new snake!
I'm a long-time fan & keeper of many rat snakes too...:welcome:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Since she was shipped without heat, that means she's had some chill, so both for that reason and because she was shipped (that's stressful with or without heat) as is
being re-homed, I'd wait several days at least, just to let her adjust. I'm not saying you need a full 5 days, if she's looking ravenous in 3 or 4 days, you're probably OK
to feed, but do give her a few days to settle in. Rat snakes have a lot of personality, they're usually quite hardy & she's adorable btw...so congrats on your new snake!
I'm a long-time fan & keeper of many rat snakes too...:welcome:

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I’m so glad you brought up the the chill time she had because that was another of my concerns! She is my first rat snake but they are by far my favorite species, it’s amazing how many sub species there are.

BTW, she doesn't look too 'skinny' to me either...from what I can see, she looks healthy.

But about the "chill"...for snakes that brumate in the wild, a chill sends the signal to NOT eat, so by giving her time to settle in, hopefully she won't be set on fasting.

Most rat snakes are resilient & eager eaters, though...one of their many attributes. :gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

BTW, she doesn't look too 'skinny' to me either...from what I can see, she looks healthy.

But about the "chill"...for snakes that brumate in the wild, a chill sends the signal to NOT eat, so by giving her time to settle in, hopefully she won't be set on fasting.

Most rat snakes are resilient & eager eaters, though...one of their many attributes. :gj:

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When I first looked at her she looked thin to me but after she drank her body condition looked great. She was probably just dehydrated. Crazy how when they are ity bitty like this, a long drink of water can have a drastic effect. I was afraid of feeding her to soon after being chilled over night because I have heard of breeders having problems with feeding their snakes to soon after brumation. I know it was just a night and I’m probably being neurotic!:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kate3

When I first looked at her she looked thin to me but after she drank her body condition looked great. She was probably just dehydrated. Crazy how when they are ity bitty like this, a long drink of water can have a drastic effect. I was afraid of feeding her to soon after being chilled over night because I have heard of breeders having problems with feeding their snakes to soon after brumation. I know it was just a night and I’m probably being neurotic!:D

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Nothing wrong with caring, that's not neurotic, it's being a good "snarent". ;)

Congrats on your adorable addition!!