Freaking Out

[chadphillips8352]

Alright, totally freaking out on this one. Might be okay, but want to make sure. I told everyone I got some new snakes and that they were bigger than what I was expecting. Well, I figured I should get some small rats because rat pups looked like they would be too small. I got home and and kind of held the bag beside the snakes to see if they were of appropriate size. They looked slightly on the big size, but similar in girth to the snake. I got them prepared and fed them to both my fire and bumblebee. Both struck almost immediately, which I took to be a good sign. However, it was short lived. The bumblebee spit the thing out, which wasn't entirely unexpected, but once it was skin-to-scale with the snake, it looked way to big. I took it out for fear of the snake trying to eat it and hurting itself. My fire, on the other hand, would not let go and eventually swallowed it all. She is my largest snake, but now, she looks very bloated, and I am worried. Does she look like it was an over sized meal? I'm including a picture of her for comparison. I may be overreacted, but this is the first time I've fed any snake something so large.

[Gerardo]

It looks too be a little too big but its not a huge deal. Its like when you eat so much you struggle to breathe. Its uncomfortable but wont really hurt. Just make sure your temps are good so he can digest it properly. Should be fine. And to me that meal is a slightly on the big side but nothing that should be a problem.

[Pyrate81]

If she downed it she should be ok. It does look a little big for her but don't worry too much and keep an eye on her. If she regurges in the next few days it's probably cause it was too big. Give her an extra 1-2 days for digestion and offer a smaller rat or her next feeding day. IMO it's better to feed larger quantity of smaller size than 1 over-sized item. When it doubt, go a half step down and feed an extra one.


Edit: Gerardo posted while I was typing.

[DooLittle]

Looks a little too big. But she should be fine. If it was me, I'd wait an extra day or two past your usual feed day as well before feeding again to make sure she is fully digested. Keep her temps right on so she doesn't regurge.

[chadphillips8352]

Alright. I was totally spazzing. She just seemed a little too big for rat pups, and this was the next size up that the pet store had. I may have to settle for going to PetSmart and getting some medium sized mice. It seems to be in between the rat pup/small rat size. Thanks, guys.

[Gerardo]

I have the same problem. I only have 1 petstore available and finding the right size is always a challange.

[chadphillips8352]

It would also be beneficial if there was a definite name for the size between rat pup and small rat. I've seen the "weened" variety, but they look very similar to the smalls.

[Gerardo]

Yra i gave up on the names a while ago and just go by how the rat looks.

[Raven01]

It does look a little large but, if it went down without any injury then there really isn't much to worry about.
The snake might require a bit more time to digest that meal but, a single large meal is very unlikely to do any harm.

[Raven01]

Alright. I was totally spazzing. She just seemed a little too big for rat pups, and this was the next size up that the pet store had. I may have to settle for going to PetSmart and getting some medium sized mice. It seems to be in between the rat pup/small rat size. Thanks, guys.

Most pet stores around here do not carry weaned rats in F/T. But, I am fortunate enough to have several feeder suppliers in the area or that deliver.
You may have better luck ordering bulk online.

P.S. I like the brassy tones to that snake.