Need some reassurance on prey size

[WhompingWillow]

Normally I am very meticulous on what size prey our snakes get. My husband took the lead on feeding the smaller snakes tonight, and when he asked me which carpet was bigger, I said Zelda when I meant to say Bridget.

By the time I realized my mistake, Zelda had already struck and coiled around the larger mouse that was meant for Bridget. :/ We tried to get it with the tongs but she was not letting that guy go.

I REALLY didn't think she was going to be able to get it down, but she did. And now she has a very noticeable lump. For some context, Zelda weighs roughly 45 grams. The mouse was probably 8 or 9. I've heard that carpets can handle larger meals, but should I be worried about a potential regurge? I've never had a snake regurgitate - when has the "danger period" passed?

Obviously there will be no handling for at least 3 days with that size meal. Anything else I should watch for?

I still just cannot believe she got that mouse down. Absolutely unreal. I mean her neck up by her head is as thick as a pencil.

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[dakski]

I've heard they can handle some big meals too.

45/9 = 5. 5/100 = 20%.

Carpet's like big meals, but I agree 20% of body weight is a lot. Probably 15%-17% is the most I'd go.

However, having said that, she took it down! She knows better than us. That doesn't mean I would make it a regular occurrence, but so far, so good.

Carpet pythons can handle more heat than say a BP can. What are your temps on the hot side and hot spot(s)?

If safe, I would bump 1-2F to help her digest.

I keep Yafe's two hot spots at 90-91F. However, I can comfortably go to 92-93F for him, but he digests fine over 89F or so and I want some leeway.

So keep that 92-93F in mind.

If you are at 90F now, I'd bump to 91F or so. It may not sound like much, but it could help a lot to make sure that big meal stay down and digests properly.

Remember, it's important for a snake to digest a meal within 3 days. Beyond that, the prey item can rot in their stomach. Not good. That can be bad because it can cause regurge and/or illness.

If after three days, there is no visible lump, and the meal stayed down, you are golden.

I would recommend not feeding for a minimum of 10 days, if not going two weeks if you normally feed weekly anyway.

[WhompingWillow]

Thank you so much, daksi! (May I call you Dave at this point? I'm Kelly.)

I normally aim for a 90 degree hot spot with a healthy gradient. Zelda hardly touches the ground so I have climbing plants and a climbing tree throughout the tank, some directly under the lamp, so she can choose where she wants to be and thermoregulate. Because of that, I'm just using a heat lamp on a dimmer with her right now and will add a UTH if she starts going on the ground more. But I turned up her lamp a bit and will spot check temps in a bit to make sure they're around 91 or 92 at the hottest point.

Thank you for helping me rationalize through this. As you said, she got it down. Now to making sure it stays down. I'll also stretch out feedings as you suggested. She eats every 7 days, but I'll wait until the 10th day this time.

[EL-Ziggy]

As stated carpets can handle pretty large meals. I wouldn't be worried at all about a 9g mouse for your critter. I keep my carpets with a hot spot of about 88 and they all do fine.

[RickyNY]

Just had my 45g Bredli out tonight and he had no signs of the 11g hopper he ate 3 nights ago. I wouldn't wait 10 days to feed Zelda again, they have very fast metabolism.