He is growing fast.

[Ogre]

so about 6 months ago I picked up my RTB and he is easily as big if not bigger than my BP. Am I possibly feeding him to much? when I got him he was already about 3-5 months old so should I have him up to small rats yet? hes about 500g I havent put him on the scale recently but I wouldnt be surprized if he is over that either.

[Kinra]

What are you feeding him and how often? Boas should be grown slow, when I got my first one from the breeder she was 7-8 months old and 100-120g.

A picture would be helpful too. Boas are commonly overfed and shouldn't be round like a ball python.

[BLM94]

Boas typically have slower metabolisms than many pythons, causing them to be prone to obesity if kept on an identical feeding schedule to other snakes. A lot of keepers use the term 'slow grow' for feeding their boas, meaning only feeding once every ten days or so until adulthood, where I've seen several boas do just fine on a large rat every two weeks.

If you're feeding on the same schedule as your BP and you're noticing he's gaining weight out of proportion to his length, maybe slow him down a couple days on his feeding cycle.

EDIT: Kinra beat me to it, nice concise advice.

[DooLittle]

I would guess he may be eating too much. Boas don't have the metabolism like a bp. Your boa shouldn't be growing faster than your bp. One appropriate sized meal every 7-10 days. I got my guy as a babe in April, a week or so ago he was at 120-150 ish, (I would have to double check my book when I get home for exact). Do you have pictures of yours?

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[Evenstar]

I agree with everyone else. A 5-6 month old boa should not yet be on small rats. My late 2010 (so about 2 years old) was only moved onto small rats about 4 months ago. Prey should NOT make a noticable lump in boas. A 5 month old should not eat more often than every 7 days.

Can you post a picture??

[Ogre]

sorry I havent responded, was getting married and on a small honeymoon where I wasnt to deeply concered with BP.net . Anyways I will get a picture in the near future and post it but I'm not 100% certian on his age, but I do want to remind you guys that hes closer to a year than 6 months.

so about 6 months ago I picked up my RTB and he is easily as big if not bigger than my BP. Am I possibly feeding him to much? when I got him he was already about 3-5 months old so should I have him up to small rats yet? hes about 500g I havent put him on the scale recently but I wouldnt be surprized if he is over that either.

His body is nothing like a BP, its tall and practiclly all muscle. at his tail it does seem that he slenders down like his body almost doesnt fit his tail.

[Evenstar]

sorry I havent responded, was getting married and on a small honeymoon where I wasnt to deeply concered with BP.net . Anyways I will get a picture in the near future and post it but I'm not 100% certian on his age, but I do want to remind you guys that hes closer to a year than 6 months.

His body is nothing like a BP, its tall and practiclly all muscle. at his tail it does seem that he slenders down like his body almost doesnt fit his tail.

I still stand by what I said above. My male Argentine boa was over 2 years old before being moved onto small rats. Even a 1 year old should not be there yet. And one a week is still ok although one every 10 days would be even better.

I also have a 1 year old female boa that is a little over 500 grams. She is eating 1 large mouse or 1 rat pup every 10 days.

Congratulations on getting married!

[Ogre]

I still stand by what I said above. My male Argentine boa was over 2 years old before being moved onto small rats. Even a 1 year old should not be there yet. And one a week is still ok although one every 10 days would be even better.

I also have a 1 year old female boa that is a little over 500 grams. She is eating 1 large mouse or 1 rat pup every 10 days.

Congratulations on getting married!

I wasn't questionining I was juzt making sure that everyone had the dates right . I appreciat everyones input, and will ake the apropriate changes. Just to make sure, how many grams are the mice you're feeding your snakes?

- - - Updated - - -

Oh and thank you for the congrats.

[Evenstar]

My 500gm female is eating large mice/rat pups that are about 30-40gms. I don't follow a hard and fast rule of weight ratios, but it is usually about 8-10% of the boa's body weight. Boas do not do as well with larger prey like BPs do. I don't like to see a lump after they eat.

[Ogre]

Ok i will have some recent pics up today, but he's coiled up and he just ate a mouse because lack of rat pups.