Time to upsize??

[Craiga 01453]

Hello morellia friends,

Fernie is doing extremely well, eating like a champ every 5-6 days. She's been on hoppers since coming home, but has put on some decent size.
The last few feedings I've noticed almost no noticable lump. She's also eaten two on one occasion (I had a refusal, figured it couldn't hurt) and showed almost no lump after 72 hours or so.
She shed earlier this week, so I fed her the other night. It's now about 36 hours later and no sign of a lump at all.

She's still peeing and pooping regularly.

So....should I move up to rat fuzzies? They're only a few grams larger than the hoppers, so I'm leaning towards moving up, but figured I'd get some thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

[dakski]

CP's can handle pretty big meals. I've heard 15% of body weight is fine. Yafe has eaten meals that were 15%+ with zero issues.

I would say weigh the prey and if it's less than 15% +/- of Fernie, you should be good to go.

Most people wing it by size of rodent to body size of snake. That's fine for BP's, Boas, etc. that really shouldn't be stretched.

However, CP's are pretty stretchy and I find the weight formula works well.

As long as your temps are good, which I am sure they are , I wouldn't worry about upping prey size. I may do the same for Yafe soon. He's 400G+ and I am feeding weaned rats at about 40G +/- every other week. He's slowed in growing, but he's no worse for the wear, so I'll feed weaned a little longer.

EDIT: I would move to weekly feedings though with 15% of body weight prey items.

[Craiga 01453]

CP's can handle pretty big meals. I've heard 15% of body weight is fine. Yafe has eaten meals that were 15%+ with zero issues.

I would say weigh the prey and if it's less than 15% +/- of Fernie, you should be good to go.

Most people wing it by size of rodent to body size of snake. That's fine for BP's, Boas, etc. that really shouldn't be stretched.

However, CP's are pretty stretchy and I find the weight formula works well.

As long as your temps are good, which I am sure they are , I wouldn't worry about upping prey size. I may do the same for Yafe soon. He's 400G+ and I am feeding weaned rats at about 40G +/- every other week. He's slowed in growing, but he's no worse for the wear, so I'll feed weaned a little longer.

EDIT: I would move to weekly feedings though with 15% of body weight prey items.

Thanks, Dave.

At her weight now the smaller rat fuzzies are basically 15% exactly. So I'll naturally start with the smaller ones.

You'd go to weekly though? My understanding with carpets is 5-6 days for the first year or so. She's around 7 months now...

[outworldreptiles]

I'd also suggest bumping up the prey size and moving to weekly. I used to breed JCP's before switching over to boas and once they were eating regularly and on rat fuzzies I would switch from 5-6 days to weekly. Every time they'd move up a prey size I would dial back the feeding. I still have one in my collection and he gets a medium rat every two weeks with occasionally longer breaks.

[EL-Ziggy]

I don't use the snake to prey body weight percentages with my carpets anymore. They can take down larger meals without any issues. I think you said Fernie's about 75g. The smallest meal I'd feed her is a rat fuzzy but I have no doubt she can easily smash a rat pup. I'd probably be feeding her a rat pup every 7 days.

[Craiga 01453]

Thanks guys!!!

I'm so smitten with this girl. I can't wait for the weather to cooperate so my jungle boy can be shipped!!

More Morelia please!!! Hahahaha.

[dakski]

Thanks, Dave.

At her weight now the smaller rat fuzzies are basically 15% exactly. So I'll naturally start with the smaller ones.

You'd go to weekly though? My understanding with carpets is 5-6 days for the first year or so. She's around 7 months now...

As others said as well, weekly should be absolutely fine, especially if you are giving her big meals. However, I am not an expert, just know what I've read in care sheets and from others here.

However, my gut tells me feeding big meals and 7 days versus 6 isn't a big deal.

[Craiga 01453]

As others said as well, weekly should be absolutely fine, especially if you are giving her big meals. However, I am not an expert, just know what I've read in care sheets and from others here.

However, my gut tells me feeding big meals and 7 days versus 6 isn't a big deal.

Thank you good sir.

Yeah, gram for gram it's really not much of a difference over six months.
And don't think I was doubting you, hahahahaha, just double checking for my own peace of mind.

Thanks again Dave!

[Reinz]

I’m with Ziggy.

I’ve never weighed a prey item. I just use the size them up method. If I think upsizing is going to be stretch I just double up on the smaller prey items for a month or two.

[303_enfield]

Feeding guideline, may not be perfect but it's the best thing I've read an seen.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...=feeding+guide