How much??

[simplementepako]

Hello!! well i have a question, how much eats a BCI?? For example a ball python, eats between 10-15% of its weight how can i calculated for de BCI???

[tigerretic76]

percentage of body weight is usually based on how frequent the snake eats, during the seasons and what have. ill explain what i mean. for example, my snakes (3 retics, 2 boas, and a false water cobra), eat 25% of their body weight (roughly, as i dont weigh them each feeding, but i guess pretty close), in the winter but less frequent. ill use my big tiger retic, he is about 45lbs or so, and eats about 10-11lbs of food every 6-8 weeks in the winter when their metabolism is slowed. and he eats about 4 1/2-5lbs of food every 3-4 weeks in the summer when its warmer and their metabolism is higher and they digest quicker. ive done that forever with my snakes. i know alot of people just do the 10% rule all the time, and i know people that do the lump and prey girth size. having done some first hand research in indonesia years ago, i try to mimic (as close as i can) the snakes natural feeding ways. and it seemed that most snakes in the winter eat big meals then go into hiding for long periods of time less frequently. and in the summer they eat smaller stuff (for the most part) more frequently (or whatever is available, as alot of the prey animals are out and about more in the summer months). now is my way the best, of course not. is any of the other ways the best of course not. i just know that my feeding ways have worked for me for a long long time now. most people need to find out their own feeding ways and what works best for them and their animals. most care sheets say to feed baby snakes every 5-7 days. i feed when they look hungry. again its all opinion and finding what works for you and your snakes

[simplementepako]

percentage of body weight is usually based on how frequent the snake eats, during the seasons and what have. ill explain what i mean. for example, my snakes (3 retics, 2 boas, and a false water cobra), eat 25% of their body weight (roughly, as i dont weigh them each feeding, but i guess pretty close), in the winter but less frequent. ill use my big tiger retic, he is about 45lbs or so, and eats about 10-11lbs of food every 6-8 weeks in the winter when their metabolism is slowed. and he eats about 4 1/2-5lbs of food every 3-4 weeks in the summer when its warmer and their metabolism is higher and they digest quicker. ive done that forever with my snakes. i know alot of people just do the 10% rule all the time, and i know people that do the lump and prey girth size. having done some first hand research in indonesia years ago, i try to mimic (as close as i can) the snakes natural feeding ways. and it seemed that most snakes in the winter eat big meals then go into hiding for long periods of time less frequently. and in the summer they eat smaller stuff (for the most part) more frequently (or whatever is available, as alot of the prey animals are out and about more in the summer months). now is my way the best, of course not. is any of the other ways the best of course not. i just know that my feeding ways have worked for me for a long long time now. most people need to find out their own feeding ways and what works best for them and their animals. most care sheets say to feed baby snakes every 5-7 days. i feed when they look hungry. again its all opinion and finding what works for you and your snakes

Thanks, for help me...

[tjones]

how do you find % of body weight eaten, divid snakes weight by prey weight or prey weight by snakes weight, its really confusing me, but i know its really simple

[tigerretic76]

i keep it simple. just weigh the snake, and move the decimal point to the left for the 10% rule. for example, my big tiger is 45lbs, 10% of his body weight would be 4.5lbs of food. i usually estimate, meaing if i was to feed him 15% of his body weight i would about 6 1/2lbs or so. the actual amount of food i would feed though at 45lbs and feeding 15% body weight would be 6 3/4lbs of food. take the weight and multiply by 15% (0.15 on calculator). so 45 x 0.15 = 6.75. so my 45lb tiger that i would feed 15% of his body weight would take a 6.75 or 6 3/4lb rabbit or pig, or whatever. but again, i estimate is weight and is food size, as i do all of my snakes. always keep in mind though, boas are pretty different than retics. they generally have slower metabolisms and are of course, smaller. my boas, i usually feed them i small, noticible bulge, after they defecate. you can pretty get a retic to eat anytime and any amount