Food Size Question

[Gio]

I really doubt that your snake is "keeping score"- BTW, in case you're wondering- my BCI lived to 18 years- in her final years she moved in w/ friends of mine that are into the bigger snakes. (She was never a snake I planned on having- as a yearling, she was a "free to any home" rescue that no one else wanted because she was an accomplished "fear biter" with everyone- I changed that having understood she was just terrified- I had no bites from her, ever.)

I agree with Gio's post too- just another way to look at it. Changing up prey items is a good idea actually, to ensure maximum nutrients. I've worried less about that since I've always raised my own rodents (& supplement their diets beyond what most sources do). My BCI always looked pretty awesome (highly iridescent) & was always healthy when I had her- she would not have refused any alternative prey, I'm sure, but I just didn't bother. ("if it ain't broke, don't fix it")

And for what it's worth, I never weigh my snakes* or their prey either. (*unless I was trying to dose a medication- which I haven't needed to do in years)

Not to stray off topic too much, but congrats on 18 years. That's starting to get into long lived territory. I'm hoping to get to that mark and further with what I have left here.

It was very upsetting to lose my first, beautiful carpet mix. She ate like a Royal python and went months between feedings on occasion. Otherwise she ate like my others.

Even when you are doing what you think is right, things do happen. 9 years old was a short life.


I think the parties commenting on this thread are in agreement that overfeeding isn't healthy, and also isn't directly related to prey size, unless you are feeding something unreasonably large.

For boas, large rats are probably the limit when it comes to fat content. Quail and rabbits are a nice switch.

Also note that captive raised prey of any type will have more fat than what snakes eat in the wild.