Large carpet prey size and feeding schedule?

[Justin83]

Hey all, I recently rescued Hielo an 8ft 8kg carpet, the largest snake I've kept before was a 7ft boa who was 4.5kg @10% body weight I was feeding 500g rats once a fortnight...
Should I aim for 800g rabbits or guinea pigs once a fortnight or 4-500g rat a week?
Thanks.

[bcr229]

If you can find rabbits IMO they're a better feeder than jumbo rats or guinea pigs, as the rabbits will have less fat on them.

Chickens are another option if you know someone with a free-range flock who is willing to cull them when they're the right size for your snake.

[EL-Ziggy]

My adult carpets get a large or jumbo rat every 2-3 weeks during the summer and every 4-6 weeks during the winter. The rats are anywhere from 200-400g each. I'd try rabbits if I could find a reasonably priced supplier.

[Justin83]

There was only one rabbit of her body width. Got 3 guinea pigs of similar size and a bag of large rats encase she isn't interested in the others.
Not sure single rats would cut it here...

[Justin83]

5*2*2 she's a big girl

[EL-Ziggy]

Carpets can take some pretty large meals so there's nothing wrong with feeding guinea pigs or rabbits occasionally. I've heard that guinea pigs are high in fat content so I'd feed those sparingly. Adult carpets really don't need to eat very often. I wouldn't feed any carpet over 2 more than once every 2 weeks. And I'd space it out to 3-4 weeks after a large meal. Both the carpets in my previous post are 7ft and probably 5kg. The coastal is a 2014 and the jungle is a 2015. They'd definitely eat every few days if they could. Carpets are supposed to be on the leaner side but like many snakes in captivity they're often overfed. Your girl looks good and stocky. Just make sure she maintains a solid muscle structure.

Edit: That 10% body weight feeding guideline is only for hatchlings and maybe yearlings imo. I wouldn't use that after they were one or two.

[Justin83]

Thanks alot mate. She needs to build muscle tbh. I don't think she's been handled although she is a sweet girl. Kept in a 3ft Viv all her life and isn't very in control of her self when out, maybe a diet is in order and lots of exercise. I'll probably just go a large rat every 3-4 weeks then and plenty of exercise I think.
Thanks pal.

[Zincubus]

Thanks alot mate. She needs to build muscle tbh. I don't think she's been handled although she is a sweet girl. Kept in a 3ft Viv all her life and isn't very in control of her self when out, maybe a diet is in order and lots of exercise. I'll probably just go a large rat every 3-4 weeks then and plenty of exercise I think.
Thanks pal.

Get some branches in there - they’d surely help build up muscle ??


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[bcr229]

I have a male carpet python that is younger/smaller that loves to perch and climb on stuff. You could always make a "snake tree" out of wood or PVC for him to climb on when he's out, or if you're not that handy, one of those tall cat trees can work if you find a used one locally.

[Justin83]

That's a good idea, better than a chair on the table.. seems a bit in stable with an 8kg snake stretching to something else lol