Max size rat that should be fed to a BP

[chapskis1]

Hi--

I just received a shipment of frozen rats today. I ordered two different sizes, with the hopes that by the time the smaller ones are eaten that my bp will be able to take the larger ones, but after seeing the larger size, I am wondering if they might be too big.

I have been going by the general rule of feeding 10-15% of the snake's body weight, but it seems to me that several people on here have mentioned a maximum rat size that you should feed to your bp, and then it's time to go with multiple prey items.

What size is the maximum rat that should be fed????

Thanks,

George

[coldbloodaddict]

Depends on the size/weight of the snake...

[CoolioTiffany]

Really it depends on how large the snake is.

I go by this feeding rule: feed your snake a mouse/rat about the same size as the middle part of the snake's body.

Here's an example of that rule: The middle part of my female BP is about the same size as a small f/t rat. Now, I feed her small f/t rats. These past two weeks went great, and now she's shedding because I've been feeding her those rats.

[chapskis1]

I have been going by the general rule of feeding 10-15% of the snake's body weight,

Right -- I understand that, but I'm almost positive some people have said that there is still a maximum size that should be fed.

For instance, instead of feeding a 2500g bp a 250g rat, you should feed it two 125g rats. It still gets 250g of food, but the rats obviously aren't as big. This is because their theory was that no matter how big the snake was, it shouldn't be fed a rat bigger than 150g. (or whatever that number was, that's the one I am looking for).

So, I am just wondering what that magic number is, and why you shouldn't feed your snake any size rat, as long as it is no more than 10-15% of it's body weight, and the girth of the snake and rat match up.

Thanks,

George

[tbowman]

I have fed my bp large rats, but i have switched back to smalls. The only reason I fed large was becuase I was keeping my burm and bp on the same size while my burm was growing. Then I realized that those rats were really big for him.

[Hock3ymonk3y]

Unless a good reason is posted, I will continue feeding my snake the same size rat as the girth of it. I see no problem with it, but will definately switch if a problem or potential problem does come up.

[Vypyrz]

Right -- I understand that, but I'm almost positive some people have said that there is still a maximum size that should be fed.

For instance, instead of feeding a 2500g bp a 250g rat, you should feed it two 125g rats. It still gets 250g of food, but the rats obviously aren't as big. This is because their theory was that no matter how big the snake was, it shouldn't be fed a rat bigger than 150g. (or whatever that number was, that's the one I am looking for).

So, I am just wondering what that magic number is, and why you shouldn't feed your snake any size rat, as long as it is no more than 10-15% of it's body weight, and the girth of the snake and rat match up.

Thanks,

George

My adult is 2300g and I offered him a 235g rat once and he refused it. I know they can stretch their jaws alot but I don't think his head would have made it. Anyway, what I do, is instead of feeding him multiples every 14 days, I feed him 1 rat in the 150-180 g range every 7 days. He still gets the same amount of prey per month. Plus, it's easier for me to have my snakes all on the same feed schedule...

[Egapal]

Its my understanding that the 10% to 15% rule is for babies and juveniles ad the snake grows you should move down from 15% and as an adult it should probably be less than that. I would and did feed my 50 to 500 gram BP 10% to 15% of her body weight. Now that she is over 600% I am shooting for 10% with 2 mice every 7 days and she is only taking the second every other feeding on average. I breed my own mice now so up until now its been easy to get the right size mouse. My mice top out at about 30 grams so its time to switch though.

Back to the original question though, I don't think a 2500 gram BP should be getting a 250 to 375 gram rat every 7 days. As an adult your snake is not growing as much as getting fat, so you should pull away from the 10% to 15% and feed an appropriately sized rodent. Then you can adjust your frequency of feeding or quantity you feed to match whats healthy for your snake and in keeping with your plans for your snake.

[adrenalinejunkie]

Its my understanding that the 10% to 15% rule is for babies and juveniles ad the snake grows you should move down from 15% and as an adult it should probably be less than that. I would and did feed my 50 to 500 gram BP 10% to 15% of her body weight. Now that she is over 600% I am shooting for 10% with 2 mice every 7 days and she is only taking the second every other feeding on average. I breed my own mice now so up until now its been easy to get the right size mouse. My mice top out at about 30 grams so its time to switch though.

Back to the original question though, I don't think a 2500 gram BP should be getting a 250 to 375 gram rat every 7 days. As an adult your snake is not growing as much as getting fat, so you should pull away from the 10% to 15% and feed an appropriately sized rodent. Then you can adjust your frequency of feeding or quantity you feed to match whats healthy for your snake and in keeping with your plans for your snake.

I don't think stated that they were feeding a rat that size every 7 days. It was suggested to use 150gram rat every 7 days instead of one 300gram rat every 14days

[Stewart_Reptiles]

You can feed whatever YOU feel like feeding YOUR animal(s), it's really about knowing your animals and what works for you.

Do they need large prey to thrive? No they do not, many collection are doing fine on small preys.

Here is how I feed my snakes (I feed them once a week)

Hatchlings to juviesy get a prey about equal to their girth size.

Adult males get small small rats (55-60 grams)

Adult females get rats that are about 85 grams.

I feed rats off at 4 to 5 weeks.

This way they eat with consistency, and preys do not pose a threat to my animals.

Of course pre-breeding seasons feeding is a bit different.