Like others have stated, this is a very interesting thread. It really highlights how little is actually known about these guys.

In reference to the discussion about feeding to satiation weekly and whether or not it was power-feeding: I've often read posts on here that after a period of gorging, BPs will go through a fasting period. It seems to me that feeding to satiation just makes sense if the snake will self-regulate how much it ingests.

In reference to shortened lifespan from snakes fed "a lot": There isn't enough information to draw any conclusions on this. A while back I read something that suggested, in general, snakes that are overfed have shortened lifespans but this seemed like observational/anecdotal evidence. In order to test this, you'd need long-term studies with pretty large sample sizes. I just don't see that happening for snakes, ever. Snakes are too long-lived and there's way too many variables with something like this to address.

As for snakes eating 10-15% of their body weight weekly in comparison to humans: It's an interesting argument, but snakes have lower metabolic rates than us; they don't have to provide their own body heat. If we go by that, then 10-15% seems like it'd be too much.

In regards to exercise, I think I'm starting to agree with Vypryz. Roaming in search of food would really burn calories; our snakes in their small enclosures don't ever really do anything. Vypryz, does your guy eat regularly in his large tank? Assuming that it's cluttered enough and ample temps and hides are provided, it seems like the way to go. I'm sure it's harder to manage for you (e.g. cleaning, maintaining temps) but it may just be better for your snake. I'm thinking I should let my girl roam around the floor (supervised of course) a bit more often.

Also, what's pinheading? I've long thought that my snake has a small head in relation to her body. I read something recently that suggested snakes fed larger food items have larger heads; I've fed my snake multiple mice for the past year until recently switching her to rats.

Sorry for the long post, but I hadn't replied in quite a while and wanted to address a few points. Also, I'll mention again that perhaps a length:weight relationship wouldn't be a bad idea. I think there's probably a stronger relationship than we think (addresses the idea of overweight snakes, even though all of our snakes may just be overweight to begin with) but we'd need quite a few snakes to find out anything. Just my thoughts...

-- B