OK, need some help here.

[Gio]

I look at the 'neck' just behind the head, I think it should be filled out more on that snake.

I disagree, and respectfully so don't take it harshly as I can't convey tone in typed words.

This particular breeder (Caesar's and Wallace's) also recommends a midline, maintenance feeding program for his D/SD males.

That snake isn't even a year old yet, a male, and has a combined percentage of dwarf and SD blood.

Granted they are active, they are not colubrids, and people purchase the dwarf and SD variants specifically for the smaller size.

He is already feeding large rats, and somewhat frequently at that.

I think his snake looks in excellent shape, and will fill out fully in time.

I also don't think a snake should be fed to the point where it becomes inactive. The species is active and should be.

Once you stuff it and it sits curled up constantly, you are on your way to cutting its life short.

Pushing is very common in retics. It is not all about food. They are active, they explore, they are said to be intelligent or at least have instinctual traits that resemble intelligence. I have a female carpet that is a very picky eater, She is monthly at best and she pushes now and then. She knows where the cage opens, and if I open it she will come out, then go back in, then come out. It's just her silly behavior. No food, live or frozen will change that. She refuses on the spot.

Caesar's neck may look small, but that's because the head is growing and the jaw muscles behind it are getting larger.

My boa is a mature adult now and his head grew, then he filled out, then filled out more the neck is finally looking nice. Retics get long and skinny first and then size up. My carpet was the same, and actually so was the royal. I think Caesar will be more than in shape when he grows into his adult years if not over fed.

I think the caging, the gaps and some other factors are in play here. I have an animal that is 13 days younger and still eating small rats. He's not a pusher and refused his last meal and has refused in the past. Caesar is simply a busier guy and may need some optional caging decor or a larger size.

Sauzo has already experimented with adding food and things keep going back to the pushing. I think its time to search other avenues. Maybe a slight temp drop, push toy, change some husbandry, shorten the light cycle, so many possibilities. Or maybe he pushes his whole life.

Throwing food at the problem isn't a solution here IMO.