Anyone feed their BPs large rats?

[zina10]

After researching this issue thoroughly I have been under the assumption that pythons can digest large meals incredibly fast.

The reason for that is that they dramatically adapt their organs and system in order to digest. The heart and organs changes size, the heart rate goes up, energy is being used.
I can't repeat the exact scientific explanation, but there is a lot of it out there. Just a small example:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n..._python_2.html

I've been told it is better to give a break in between feedings rather then feed smaller meals more often (in adults, whose metabolism has slowed down). Simply for the fact that if fed more often, their body go into "digestion overdrive" to often, rather then utilizing a larger meal and then having a longer break. I was advised to give at least 2 weeks between meals for adults, unless breeding.

All that said, I simply look at my snakes. I have none that look flaccid and fat or lack muscle tone. The only time any of them have refused food consistently (more then twice) is my male that is breeding. The other times were the odd time when one was about to go into shed.

My male that takes large rats (not the breeding one) is big. He isn't fat, though, he doesn't "pancake", he isn't sluggish. He looks quite healthy. He certainly is quite strong. Before I put him on large rats he would be back to cruising for food almost right after eating his medium rat. He acts far more satisfied now. He rests for 2 days after eating his large rat, then comes out for a "leisurely stroll" at night for the next few nights. 8 or 9 days after feeding he goes back into hunting mode.

I let research and guidelines "guide" me. But I also follow my gut instinct when it comes to the animals I've owned and known for years. There were only a few BP's that I fed large rats too, but none of them were fat or started to refuse food. However, they were also not offered food weekly, but bi weekly with breaks for shedding.

I'm always open to suggestions and valuable advice from more experienced owners, though. I might try to bump down the meal size, and see what happens. The only one I know for sure that will not be happy about this is the large male. I didn't like the way he frantically "cruised" for more food all the time, while on medium rats.

Here is a recent picture of his "shape"..