Dwarf Tiger Retic Questions

[Gio]

Hey Cody- Quick unrelated question: I have a large female boa that's getting too big for a single XL rat. Do you recommend moving to rabbits rather than multiple rats in a feeding? I would like her to put on some size before I breed her next year.

Also, just saw your profile. I am a biologist as well, working on my PhD. Nice to see another scientist in the herp world.

Thanks,

Josh

Yes, go to rabbits VS feeding multiple prey items. XL rats, especially captive raised rats (which is what most feed), actually contain more fat and the BC metabolism does not deal well with fat.

Once you are on the appropriate sized rabbits, you should never need any other size increase. I would also change the prey size from time to time and go with a smaller rat or quail on occasion and then go a long period with little to no food.

Feast/famine feeding is very natural and it is almost impossible to underfeed a boa constrictor.

I recommend reading anything written by Gus Rentfro on the web that relates to raising long lived, healthy BCs. Also read

THE COMPLETE BOA CONSTRICTOR By Vin Russo.