New BCA (south Brazilian) Male

[Evenstar]

Congratulations!! He is very pretty! He looks like a typical curious boa. What ever you feed him, you don't want it to leave a noticeable lump. So long as you can't see it, you are good. But if a small rat doesn't leave a lump, I'd stick with those, not back down to something smaller. I'd get him back on a 2 week schedule by the time he's 2, as well, if you plan to change to 10 days.

Thanks!
I'll try a rat pup for the first feeding and see what the size is.. If it looks too small, I'll up it for the next feeding.

If you are going to feed him more often than what he's used to, I wouldn't "up" the prey size at all. A pup or weaned rat every 10 days is fine. You shouldn't see a lump. Slower is better for any boa, but BCA are more like BCC than BCI and can be a wee bit touchier with feeding. Err on the side of caution.

[DooLittle]

I'm sorry. My post sounded confusing. Basically what I was trying to say was I would not change his feedings. Stick with the longer time and what he was eating. But yes, Kali is right, if you do more frequently, go smaller. But I'd just leave him at what he was. I would also listen to Kali on all things boa. She knows her stuff! So if she thinks 10 days at this point is better, ignore me. :p

[Evenstar]

I'm sorry. My post sounded confusing. Basically what I was trying to say was I would not change his feedings. Stick with the longer time and what he was eating. But yes, Kali is right, if you do more frequently, go smaller. But I'd just leave him at what he was. I would also listen to Kali on all things boa. She knows her stuff! So if she thinks 10 days at this point is better, ignore me. :p

Thanks DooLittle! You're sweet! But don't discount - you know a thing or two yourself!

At his age, I don't think either way is right or wrong. I would do a 10-14 day schedule. If you stick with 14 days, then stick with the size rats he was on. If you go more frequent at 10 days, then go a step smaller.

[artgecko]

Thanks again for the responses. I was reading somewhere (can't remember what care sheet) that BCAs can have particularly sensitive systems and that you should go with a smaller item rather than larger (if the boa was stressed, had changes, had regurgitated, etc.), which was my reasoning with the smaller sized meal.

The breeder originally told me he could be fed rat pups o small rats, but he sent a feeding chart with him that listed his last few meals as small rats. I took his recommendation of both pups and rats into account when doing my last food order and ordered some pups, weaned, and small rats...Since I have no other snakes eating them at the moment, I thought I'd start with the pups and upgrade if it doesn't seem like enough for him... I was assuming that due to the smaller prey, I'd need to start feeding every 10 days instead of the 2 week schedule the breeder had him on.

Would getting an accurate weight on him help? I have a scale and can do so. If boas do well on a certain percentage of body weight per meal that might make it easier for me to figure out what's appropriate. I'll also take a good look at him and see how wide he is at his largest point and try to match that with my prey items.

Thanks again for your advice. I want this guy to be healthy and grow slowly but not to go hungry or have digestive issues.

[DooLittle]

No, boas don't go by the percentage rule. Just make sure he looks good, nice muscle tone, and a boxy shape, then feed him according to the size of him and the rat. Leave no bumps! Lol.

[Evenstar]

No, boas don't go by the percentage rule. Just make sure he looks good, nice muscle tone, and a boxy shape, then feed him according to the size of him and the rat. Leave no bumps! Lol.

Exactly right! And one person's "small" rat may not be the same as your "small". So it's a good idea to use your best judgment and feed what will not leave a noticeable lump. A weight would help, but isn't really necessary. If your small rat leaves a lump, wait 14 days before feeding and then go down one prey size and go 10 days from that point forward.

[artgecko]

OK, I will try the small rats first and see how it goes. I will get a weight on him today... I have to remove him from his tub to solder a few more holes in it (humidity has been too high at around 75-80%).

Thanks!

[Gio]

You could double check with Tom as well. E-mail him or call him. Usually the breeder's schedule is the best. That is if the breeder is decent, and Tom is.

One thing I will say about jumping to 10 days is this. A lot of breeders think about keeping their males and will feed them to keep them smaller for breeding. This is normal as they don't want giant males intimidating newer female snakes come breeding time. I never planned on keeping my boa small for breeding so I asked the breeder if every 10 days was OK. I did stay with the current size rats they were using at the time.

Gus Rentfro's feeding program is one of my favorites. He basically follows seasonal changes, daylight, temps, and feeds accordingly. In the winter feeding slows way down. In the summer it goes up. If your snake eats, eliminates all signs of the previous meal and starts actively hunting, it's probably time.

If in doubt, wait a day or 2. I'm coming up on another 20 days between meals. I'm also seeing some changes to the snake's behavior as the daylight hours increase. Eventually I'll bump the temps again, and I'll be feeding every 10 unless he has not eliminated.

You'll soon find a routine and the actions of your snake will be a good guide.

Now,,,,, after saying all of that,,, Kali and Doolittle have great advice so that's that LOL!