Is my BP getting fat?

[stupidcracker00]

OK, a couple questions here. First, I've been feeding my BP 2 adult mice every 7 days. I recently switched her over to f/t no problem. She is approx. 24 in. long and weighs 250 grams "ish". I was told that you can tell if they are getting fat if you can see skin in between their scales. The problem is I can't tell if I can or not. I think I can when i look at the top of her curves when I hold her, but that's all. I honestly just don't know what to look for. Could somebody please show me a fat BP? My girl has put on about 150 grams in the last 5 or 6 weeks. Is that normal? Each meal I feed her 50 g's of mice (she eats both mice with no problem the moment a dangle them in front of her....one after the other, obviously).

Secondly, I just ordered 25 adult mice from The Big Cheese. Will it be too hard to switch her over from mice to rats after 13 more weeks of feeding (if I keep feeding at 2 per week)? Also, how long can frozen mice be kept in the fridge and they still be good for the snake?

Thanks in advance,
~SC

[loonunit]

They eat a lot in the summer, and yes, they do sometimes get chubby. But as long as you're not force-feeding her or pounding--and you'd know if you were--as long as she still has a good appetite, you should let her eat. Especially at her age and size. Hatchlings are usually hungry! And you really don't know if she's going to go off feed this winter, or for how long.

I had a snake refuse food for 5 months, and go from 800+ grams to 600 grams. Which is perfectly normal, but that kind of weight loss would clearly be dangerous for a snake under 400 grams. So if she's hungry, I say let her eat.

(Since she's already eating two items per meal, I think the first thing to try is leading with a mouse to get her started, and then offering a rat when she starts looking around for dessert. If she's difficult, you can also let her go a few extra days between meals, to see if hunger makes the rat more appetizing.)

[Vypyrz]

It's normal to see skin between the scales at the top or outside of a bend or coil because the scales are stretched. Big size gains during the first year are also normal...

[Jeremy78]

Mouse in the fridge: not too long. Maybe 3-4 days.

Mouse in the freezer, properly sealed. About 6-7 months I think before it starts to lose nutrition.

[stupidcracker00]

They eat a lot in the summer, and yes, they do sometimes get chubby. But as long as you're not force-feeding her or pounding--and you'd know if you were--as long as she still has a good appetite, you should let her eat. Especially at her age and size. Hatchlings are usually hungry! And you really don't know if she's going to go off feed this winter, or for how long.

I had a snake refuse food for 5 months, and go from 800+ grams to 600 grams. Which is perfectly normal, but that kind of weight loss would clearly be dangerous for a snake under 400 grams. So if she's hungry, I say let her eat.

(Since she's already eating two items per meal, I think the first thing to try is leading with a mouse to get her started, and then offering a rat when she starts looking around for dessert. If she's difficult, you can also let her go a few extra days between meals, to see if hunger makes the rat more appetizing.)

Ok thank you so much. I'll keep feeding her the same. I'll try feeding her rats as soon as my mouse supply runs low. Thanks again!!

It's normal to see skin between the scales at the top or outside of a bend or coil because the scales are stretched. Big size gains during the first year are also normal...

Ok I thought it was normal to see the scales stretch but I wasnt sure. Ya, i just thought 150 g in 5 weeks was insane. Guess not. Thanks for the info!

Mouse in the fridge: not too long. Maybe 3-4 days.

Mouse in the freezer, properly sealed. About 6-7 months I think before it starts to lose nutrition.

Ok awesome. Any ideas on how to properly seal the bag?

[Vypyrz]

Ok I thought it was normal to see the scales stretch but I wasnt sure. Ya, i just thought 150 g in 5 weeks was insane. Guess not. Thanks for the info!

Yes, it seems like alot, until you find a 40g poozilla in the tank...

[stupidcracker00]

Yes, it seems like alot, until you find a 40g poozilla in the tank...

Lol r you kidding me? a 40 gram crap??? thats like... a full handful! I know i know...TMI

[SnakeKB]

Fat feels soft and muscle feels solid. Easiest way i know to explain if your snake is fat or not.

[stupidcracker00]

Fat feels soft and muscle feels solid. Easiest way i know to explain if your snake is fat or not.

She definitely feels soft initially when I squeeze her in her thickest parts, but then it becomes firm after I squeeze a little harder. So my conclusion would be that she is slightly fat. According to the guy above, I should continue to feed her the same amount . Can somebody please confirm or deny this? I need to know before her next feeding (Monday - but I want to change it to Saturday). Please let me know what I should do.

Thanks,
SC

[AkHerps]

Yeah you can feed her the same, if you think she's fat, put some pictures up, but I highly doubt your snake is even close to fat.