Is my baby Boa chubby?

[richardhind1972]

She is a little but the 10 day cycle should soon sort it. Great looking boa

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[dakski]

Boas rarely refuse food. It is also very difficult to starve a boa and once they gain weight (when adults more - less as juveniles) it's very difficult to get them to lose it, and it can be bad for their health.

I agree that you should feed every 10-14 days at this point. Also, what are you feeding and does it leave a noticeable bulge? If so, for how long?

A growing boa should get a meal that is about the girth of the snake, or a little less, when fed. Better to feed smaller and have them grow slow, or feed more frequently, then offer a big meal.

If there is a bulge at all more than 24 hours later, or it's really noticeable when you feed, I would lower the prey size.

Behira, my female BI, is over 1,600G and 5ft and eats a medium rat every 3 weeks. She is about 3 1/2 years old. She could take a large rat, but she will get mediums for a long time to come and I plan to feed her them as the majority of her diet and will feed every 3 weeks or so, instead of feeding large rats every 4+ weeks, or small rabbits every 6+ weeks. It's mostly a preference for the owner as boas have a slow metabolism and are exceptionally efficient using what they do eat.

Having said that, remember, you are responsible for your snakes intake, and you largely determine the adult size and weight by what you feed and how often.

I posted pictures of my two boas below to show good body definition - lean and muscular without excess in the sides. You don't want a rounded boa - they should be more rectangular, not like a BP. I am not trying to toot my horn here, but my boas are healthy and I get comments on how healthy they look, I've learned a ton on this site, and am regularly in touch with both my boa's breeders, as well as Jeff Ronne, the Boaphile, who I am getting another boa from shortly, when I have additional questions. ABL - Always Be Learning.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Behira - 3 1/2 year old female BI



Feliz - Dwarf BCC at 2 years old and about 400G.