Should I stick to what he’s been feeding or change the size offered?

[Jcd5v]

So I just got my second snake today! Very excited! He’s a 1,100g Male Mystic Ghost that’s presumably 2 years old. The previous owner said he is either eating a large rat once a month or a medium rat every 2 weeks. According to the chart I’m using, most adult males don’t need medium or large rats. Should I switch him to either a small rat every week or continue giving the medium rat every two weeks? I don’t want to put him off feed, but I also don’t want to be feeding more than he needs. Thanks!


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[Sunnieskys]

My 1100 g female is on mediums every two weeks.

[RedRabbit]

The feeding chart assumes an "average" size for male BPs that won't typically exceed 1000 grams, but I think that over time with captive breeding, that average has been creeping upward and you're hearing of more male BPs that are easily exceeding the 1000g mark. Taking that into account, for your boy, you can go by the same feeding guidelines as for a female BP in that weight range.

If it's between medium rat every 2 weeks versus large rat once a month, I'd say go with medium rat every 2 weeks. The idea is that the smaller-sized, more readily digestible prey item, along with the higher frequency of feeding (within reasonable limits, and of course assuming your BP is willing, lol), is supposed to be healthier for the snake because it promotes a more consistently active metabolism.

[Jcd5v]

The feeding chart assumes an "average" size for male BPs that won't typically exceed 1000 grams, but I think that over time with captive breeding, that average has been creeping upward and you're hearing of more male BPs that are easily exceeding the 1000g mark. Taking that into account, for your boy, you can go by the same feeding guidelines as for a female BP in that weight range.

If it's between medium rat every 2 weeks versus large rat once a month, I'd say go with medium rat every 2 weeks. The idea is that the smaller-sized, more readily digestible prey item, along with the higher frequency of feeding (within reasonable limits, and of course assuming your BP is willing, lol), is supposed to be healthier for the snake because it promotes a more consistently active metabolism.

Thanks for the information! This helps a lot.


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[RedRabbit]

Thanks for the information! This helps a lot.


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No problem! Happy to help. Congratulations on the new snake! I love Mystic combos.

[Jcd5v]

No problem! Happy to help. Congratulations on the new snake! I love Mystic combos.

Thanks! Me too. Both of mine have mystic in them so I might just keep it going.


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