Thank you for viewing this thread.

As you may have noticed, this is my first post. Unfortunately for you guys as this is another one of those "help" threads, but fortunately for me as i'm positive there are members on this site who are knowledgeable and have a passion about their snakes.

I've always had an interest towards snakes. Chased them around trying to catch them growing up, but never got one when I was younger, was never allowed. It's mom's biggest fear.
However, that has changed. I'm much older now and those days are way behind me. I'm currently in a position where i've acquired a Columbian Boa Constrictor through a friend who was looking to sell his but when I had shown interest towards his snake, he gave it to me for free.

So this is where I need help. "Magic" who is my boa now is very small for his age. He's 8 years old but only close to 4 feet and thin. I know for a fact, that can't be right for a boa his age. My friend had told me that he had "stunted" Magic's growth by feeding him under the required recommendation. When I asked him why he did that?!? He said, when he bought the snake he was concerned that Magic would get too big for his basement apartment, the breeder had advised to feed him that way to stun his growth rate and size, especially during the first 2 years of Magic's life.
I don't think that was wise or healthy for the snake. I feel sorry for the boa, he's tiny compared to other boas who are his age. They're twice his size or bigger!
I'd like to add some size to him, at least girth wise. I doubt he'll grow in length anymore considering his age.
He is currently taking 1 small rat, live. Every 10 days.
After doing my own research I know for a boa his age, he should be of certain size and should already be eating larger food.

So my question is; is there a proper or recommended way - feeding wise, to add some size to this boa???

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.