Determining proper prey size...

[VEXER19]

i think this may be true as snakes aim at the head when they strike, to nutralise their prey, but when they strike they do not stretch their jaw untill they have killed their prey and begin to eat it. So it would make sense not to feed a head bigger than the jaw. But thats just my opinion

They are also not swallowing when they strike and they can open their mouths to just about 180 degrees if not all the way to 180 degrees. They can bite your big calf or thigh if they wish so there is no need for this during a strike having felt I've seen enough to know. And the can strike anywhere on the prey not just the head but irrelavent due to that the head is the smallest place on a prey items body. So I still see no sense In that arguement.

Plus there is a reason snakes eat prey head first. Yes a skull does not give as a stomach does but I have never seen a snake struggle to swallow the head of a prey item. If anything it is the easiest part the jaw doesn't even fully expand until it reaches the body.

[RobNJ]

He said that when choosing you want to feed nothing with a skull wider that the snake's jaw. I found this interesting. Both weight and width seem to be hard way to go because your snake could be either a) overweight or b) underweight and this could lead to an improper prey size. What do you think about this?

I think it would be pretty much the same as feeding based on the girth of the snake.

But that's also why I would stop at 100g prey item due to obesity in adults but there are signs of a obese snake.

Ball pythons are capable of eating rats far larger than 100 grams regularly without ever become obese.

[VEXER19]

Ball pythons are capable of eating rats far larger than 100 grams regularly without ever become obese.[/QUOTE]

Ofcourse they can. Its more of a guideline not a must. But that's a whole other debate in itself.

[RobNJ]

I think it would be pretty much the same as feeding based on the girth of the snake.

To clarify, the size of the rat would most likely end up being roughly the same if you are feeding based on girth or skull size.

[WifeOfSlasher]

RobNJ... That's my thoughts too. My guy weighs in at a whopping 794 grams. 15% is 114 grams. He is no where near full grown at a bit less than 2 yrs old and about 30-36 inches long.

[VEXER19]

To clarify, the size of the rat would most likely end up being roughly the same if you are feeding based on girth or skull size.

Agreed in most cases. But I stil go with 15% over both skull size and girth. Obviously stating that girth should be checked too.

[WifeOfSlasher]

And for your viewing pleasure... Most of our big boy.

[WifeOfSlasher]

And this guy is a good point made. A rat as big around as him is HUGE and would be way to big 15% wise. Based on skull size we picked the perfect sized rat.

[VEXER19]

He looks perfect. Doesn't look chunky to me at all

[WifeOfSlasher]

He's slimmed down a bit during our switch from live mice to f/t mice and then rats. Lol. He also just grew. He was getting pretty chunky