Quote Originally Posted by Dark Lady Kat View Post
even with prey 1 1/2 times the circumference of my balls by the time they consume it and constrict it it doesn't leave a noticeable lump I generally go with rats that are slightly larger than the snake and only once every 2-3 weeks why not weekly if you dont mind my asking
Because, as I said before, boas are NOT ball pythons. And for the following reasons too:

Quote Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents View Post
Because boas, it has been proven, can not process all the extra fat in the rodents we feed like pythons can. Keepers have lost boas due to over feeding. Especially over feeding obese rats. In the wild boas are semi arboreal and their diet is varied. They eat many birds as well as mammals.

The rule most of us follow is to only feed our adult boas after they poo. Feeding a boa the same way you'd feed a ball python causes them to grow much too quickly, shortens lifespan greatly, causes fatty liver and other organ issues, problems reproducing, many slugs, small litters, etc. They do not need a huge meal that puts a big feed lump in them. Slow growing a boa is always best for them.
Quote Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents View Post
Two large rats every two weeks is plenty. Boas should remain lean and muscular. It's when they become round and fat looking that you have a problem. Of course, you should not be able to see spine or ribs, but what we consider maintenance feeding for balls is actually proper feeding for boas. With mine, I will give her an extra rat every other month or so if she appears hungry. She lets me know if her bi-weekly feeding isn't quite enough and I'll give her a booster feeding persay lol.
Quote Originally Posted by DrDooLittle View Post
Boas metabolism is very different than ball pythons, boas is much slower. They can become obese easily too. It is said to be best to slow grow boas. So you don't want to feed a rodent that will leave a bump. And yes, feed an adult every 2-3 weeks. Boas are awesome though, I love mine. And he is very docile, much mellower and more easy going than my bps.
Just because your BP constricts a rodent "down to size" so to speak, doesn't mean you should feed your boa in the same way. BPs can take prey 1 1/2 - 2 xs as thick as they are. Boas should not take prey that large - or as often as BPs. Read the Caresheet.

Please understand, I'm not being critical or mean. I am just tired of folks saying, "well this is what I do with my BPs...." and then wonder why their boa isn't thriving. Not saying this is what you're doing - just that I get a lot of that....