New owner - weight loss , temps and handling

[Craiga 01453]

When feeding multiple prey items let the snake completely swallow the first one. Make sure it's reached the snakes belly.
At this point, the snake will likely be back in "hunting mode" and look ready to eat again.
Just go ahead and feed the same way you always do.

[Maron]

When feeding multiple prey items let the snake completely swallow the first one. Make sure it's reached the snakes belly.
At this point, the snake will likely be back in "hunting mode" and look ready to eat again.
Just go ahead and feed the same way you always do.

Excellent. Exactly what I needed to know. Thanks.

Once she has taken her next two mice, I will move her up to two at a time for the last two feedings until we finish the pack of 10 - then onto something bigger.

[Mirakuru]

Thanks Mirakuru.

I gave her a good 6 hours after weighing her before feeding. But from next time I will avoid all interaction on feeding day.

She took her mouse really well today. The best since I have had her. I am extremely pleased with it. First time she was out of the hide at feeding time and really showed interest in the mouse straight away. I was even able to watch her swallow the prey for the first time - amazing how she got the mouse down her skinny neck .

That's great news!! It's always a good feeling when a strike is over

[Maron]

Hey guys,

I hope you don’t mind helping me out with some more questions. I just can’t shake the feeling my girl is too thin despite following the feeding guidelines I have received.

She is my first snake so I don’t know what she should feel like but her skin seems loose and her belly feels concave. Youtube videos I have watched would suggest she is underweight.

She is now 4 months old and has steadily gained weight in the month I have had her (130-214g). She eats when I feed her. Last Friday she ate a 33g adult mouse which was around the same size as her widest point. She had her first shed a few days before that so hadn’t eaten for around 8 days. The shed was beautiful in one piece with the eye caps attached.

Should I not be concerned as long as she is gaining weight? Or should I feed her more frequently? Bigger mice? Or am I just being over sensitive?

[Bogertophis]

Hey guys,

I hope you don’t mind helping me out with some more questions. I just can’t shake the feeling my girl is too thin despite following the feeding guidelines I have received.

She is my first snake so I don’t know what she should feel like but her skin seems loose and her belly feels concave. Youtube videos I have watched would suggest she is underweight.

She is now 4 months old and has steadily gained weight in the month I have had her (130-214g). She eats when I feed her. Last Friday she ate a 33g adult mouse which was around the same size as her widest point. She had her first shed a few days before that so hadn’t eaten for around 8 days. The shed was beautiful in one piece with the eye caps attached.

Should I not be concerned as long as she is gaining weight? Or should I feed her more frequently? Bigger mice? Or am I just being over sensitive?

She doesn't appear thin in that photo...and her backbone looks normal for the posture she's in. Her belly should not protrude, it's supposed to be flat & will be a little
concave between meals. She is a growing snake, & they often seem underweight simply because they keep growing in length before they can thicken up much. She
is eating regularly so you have little to worry about...snakes are not "designed" to eat all the time like we are...enjoy her for the size she is, as she won't be little forever.
She looks very healthy to me & nothing you describe sounds otherwise. Don't try to rush her meals or over-size them...snakes (like people) are healthier when NOT over-fed, and feeding too much is more likely to result in her being "picky" (refusing meals) which is truly no fun.

[Maron]

Thank you Bogertopis.

Your reply is reassuring.

The internet is a wonderful place for gaining new information on raising a pet, but sometimes the pure volume of said information can be overwhelming and rather contrasting.

Cleo seems to be a very docile and friendly (for want of a better word) snake, so doing right by her is important to me.

As long as she is eating and growing I will keep on following the feeding guidelines.

Thanks again.

[Craiga 01453]

Hey guys,

I hope you don’t mind helping me out with some more questions. I just can’t shake the feeling my girl is too thin despite following the feeding guidelines I have received.

She is my first snake so I don’t know what she should feel like but her skin seems loose and her belly feels concave. Youtube videos I have watched would suggest she is underweight.

She is now 4 months old and has steadily gained weight in the month I have had her (130-214g). She eats when I feed her. Last Friday she ate a 33g adult mouse which was around the same size as her widest point. She had her first shed a few days before that so hadn’t eaten for around 8 days. The shed was beautiful in one piece with the eye caps attached.

Should I not be concerned as long as she is gaining weight? Or should I feed her more frequently? Bigger mice? Or am I just being over sensitive?

It sounds like you're doing everything right!

Honestly, there are some great resources on YouTube, but be very careful who you trust to learn from. Always cross reference multiple sources before believing anything to be true.
Keep in mind, ANYBODY can post ANYTHING on the internet, so make sure your sources are actually knowledgeable and reliable.

As for her weight, she's eating and gaining weight. She'll fill out for you. But also keep in mind that a huge percentage of the snakes kept in captivity are overweight.

Try to think of it this way...they don't eat on any schedule in nature, but have survived thousands upon thousands of years. They survive on a LOT less than what we as keepers generally feed.

I personally feed on a more conservative schedule than many. But so far I've never had an unhealthy snake in my care, dating back almost 20 years.

Keep doing what you're doing. You'll be a great snake keeper.