Question on feeding/powerfeeding an ex fasting baby

[SlitherinSisters]

I've actually been told I'm not power feeding when I feed on a 4 day schedule. Some people don't consider it power feeding unless you are feeding every 3 days. Power feeding is not going to kill your animal, stunt their breeding, and I highly doubt shorten their life span. I can't be sure about shortening their lifespan because that takes 20-30 years to figure out. The only true thing I've heard/read is that fat females tend to have a few more slugs and fat males tend to be lazy breeders. You should know if your animal is obese, white will be showing between their scales-that is their skin. If your snake ever gets to that point, cut back on the feeding schedule, problem solved.

Also, I don't think 350 is a terrible weight for an animal that age. I have a het pied trio that are about that age and size because they only eat when the feel like it. It's really frustrating! I also have females the same age that are 600 grams. If you aren't breeding and she doesn't look skinny there's no reason you should stress about her gaining a bunch of weight.

[rabernet]

TRUE power feeding is starting the head of a second prey item in the mouth of the snake before it finishes the first, essentially eating two rodents back to back in an attempt to artificially bulk up the snake.

Feeding frequently does not equal power feeding. Ball pythons are very good at regulating their intake. When they don't want a second prey item, they simply won't take it.

[SlitherinSisters]

TRUE power feeding is starting the head of a second prey item in the mouth of the snake before it finishes the first, essentially eating two rodents back to back in an attempt to artificially bulk up the snake.

Feeding frequently does not equal power feeding. Ball pythons are very good at regulating their intake. When they don't want a second prey item, they simply won't take it.

Ah thanks for clearing that up Robbin. I've heard about 10 different definitions of power feeding, and I've yet to hear the definition you just wrote. That makes sense. I wondered how people could get their BPs to look like they were about to explode from fatness. Whenever I have "power fed" (now I don't know what to call feeding every 3-4 days...) they have always taken breaks every now and again.