How to Resolve Persistent Obesity

[Bogertophis]

Update! It's been almost two years since I started this thread and I am back to ask for more advice...

My poor corn snake has been dieting this entire time and has lost considerable (?) weight going from almost 1300 grams down to 1053 grams.

I fed a small adult mouse every two weeks for the first year and then switched to a medium adult mouse every two weeks for the second year. I provided as much opportunity for exercise as time allowed and painfully ignored all hungry behaviors...

It is once again time to place my annual Layne Labs order and would I would really like to reward my long suffering snake with a decent meal or two. Is it too soon to bump up to large adult mice? Or maybe alternate large and medium adult mice?

I realize that my snake is still considered "heavy" for it's size (4.3') but it's spinal ridge is becoming fairly prominent which bothers me. I am also concerned that continuing such restrictive rations will end up causing more issues than the obesity itself?

Thanks in advance for any input!!!

Wow, good job on the "snake diet"! He looks fine by the way...he's NOT supposed to be built like a ball python.

BUT don't blow it now by buying large adult mice! NO, none. Your beautiful corn snake looks just fine. Remind me, what's his age now? I would just feed medium adult mice every 10-12 days- that is the normal feeding schedule for adult corn snakes, except for those that are senior citizens- their meals can be spaced further apart (@ 2 weeks). You might try feeding every 12 days & see what that does to his "weight" before you go to every 10 days.

Again,

Remember that in the wild, snakes are eating rodents (& other prey) that are FAR leaner than domestic rodents are.