Stupid newbe question on weight/thin

[snomoon]

How do I tell if my snake is too thin/needs MORE feedings?

The guy I got it from (not a snake guy, was watching the snake for a friend and the friend "abandoned" snake) told me to feed one medium sized rat every 2 weeks. We got him Monday (Sept. 22) said he was fed the day before. Some people told me I should really be feeding every week (at least) so on Sunday (Sept. 28) we fed FT medium rat. Snake gobbled it up! So cute in doing so too... as the last part was going down, snake turned so my son could see real good... seemed like snake was saying..."see I am good snake and eating ALL of my food"... I guess you had to be there BUT **I** thought it was real cute! It just kind of seems like it is hungry and I want to make sure it is getting enough to eat (NOTHING in my house ever goes hungry... we are ALL well fed....)

Was told the snake is 15 years old.
Measures 4' 11"
Weighs 4 pounds 14 3/4 oz. (2234g.)

As soon as my batteries charge, I will add some pictures.
Any help/advice would be appreciated.

[Ridinandreptiles]

Sounds big enough to me, need pics to be sure

[snomoon]

Pictures

[Kaorte]

Looks nice and healthy! A medium rat is pretty big for a weekly feeding. You could probably do a slightly smaller rat weekly instead.

Either way, he looks to be a healthy weight for his age.

[MrLang]

5 ft 2200g sounds healthy. I know some people use a rule to breed females (meaning they are in plump and excellent physical condition) at about 500g per 1 foot of snake. Any adult BP eating 1 med rat a week is perfectly well fed.

Enjoy!

[Capray]

That's normal. if you cant see the spine when she is laying down, she is not underwieght. as long as she's eating weekly....

[Mike41793]

Looks like a healthy snake to me as far as weight

[KMG]

It's really your choice. The snake looks very healthy so if you want to feed biweekly you will be fine.

I feed my younger snakes weekly but my older blood get two large rats every two weeks and the rainbow feeds every three. Honestly I like being able to space it out to every couple of weeks.

Just don't feed the same size weekly that you were biweekly. Unless your snake has a gym it will get fat which can lead to other health problems.

[S.I.R.]

Looks like a healthy normal BP. I would keep your current feeding schedule. Good luck!

[snomoon]

Unless your snake has a gym it will get fat which can lead to other health problems.

LMAO!! I do believe the snake is getting MUCH more exercise then it got before. My son, well everyone in the family, {except my husband} LOVES to hold it and play with it! It is out of the tank a LOT and I know the guy who was watching it never touched it. He put on a thick leather glove just to feed WHILE using long handle tongs. The snake now gets to climb all over us, cuddle around arms, sit is laps and watch TV, and just generally be loved..... A FAR cry from its past life!


Thanks to EVERYONE for the advice, I will continue it on a bi-weekly feeding schedule and just keep an eye on its weight/ overall appearance. If I notice thinning down... I will check for more advice.