Is my boa too thin?

[abrunsen]

She is approximately 5-6 months old and weighs 200 grams empty. Is she too thin? I'm just worried because I saw her brother and he is a lot beefier than her. I am feeding every seven days and rat fuzzies.

Thanks,
Alex

[Tye Hicks]

Do you see a bulge after your boa eats? I would step up to crawler rats every 5 days.

[Kinra]

She looks good to me. Boas aren't supposed to be round, they are supposed to be more of a box shape. I wouldn't recommend switching to a 5 day feeding schedule, but it may be time to step up the size of her rat. I feed large enough so you can see a lump, and I only feed once a week. Boas are too commonly over fed in captivity. Grow her slow and steady, it will be better for her in the long run.

[abrunsen]

Yeah that's what my breeder told me. He said slow grow them and feed every seven days. She is constantly hungry which is a boa trait I have been told but I wasn't sure if its because I underfed her or she is just a piggy. I will probably feed her every 5 to get rid of these fuzzies and then bump her up.

[abrunsen]

Also she has only shed once in my entire time owning her (3 months) is that because she isn't growing that well?

[Kinra]

Yeah that's what my breeder told me. He said slow grow them and feed every seven days. She is constantly hungry which is a boa trait I have been told but I wasn't sure if its because I underfed her or she is just a piggy. I will probably feed her every 5 to get rid of these fuzzies and then bump her up.

That sounds like a good plan. It's been my experience that boas are always hungry. I've never had one of mine refuse a meal.

Also she has only shed once in my entire time owning her (3 months) is that because she isn't growing that well?

That's pretty normal for my boas. I use the slow grow method and they only shed a few times a year.

[DooLittle]

I would not feed him every 5 days. They are not ball pythons, and their metabolism is not like them. Typically it is recommended to feed them every 7-10 days when young, and slow grow them. Yours looks good. Mine is about that old, has only shed once with me, and is at 173 grams. They are not supposed to be round. Also, from what I have been told, and read here, prey should not really leave a noticeable bump. So, no, I don't think yours is too skinny. I think he looks good.

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[TheWinWizard]

Up to adult mouse sized rats and feed every 7-10 days. Slow and steady.

[abrunsen]

Ok from the sounds of it my prey items have been small. I will probably just get rid of these fuzzies on a five day schedule and then bump up the size of the rats and go back to seven days

[DooLittle]

I think he will be fine every 7 days. I wouldn't cram the fuzzies down every 5 days, their metabolism is slower. He won't starve either going the 7 days. That's my opinion anyhow, they should not be fed more frequently than 7 days, even if they are a bit on the small side.

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