Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI

[Gio]

Behira has been hovering around 3.6kg for a while now. She is eating a large rat every 3 weeks and seems happy and healthy. She turned 8 last month, so not sure how much more growing she is going to do.

I may mix up the feeding intervals a little. 2 weeks, 3 weeks, etc. I do not want to feed more than a large rat as the fat content is high and rabbits are not easy to get. I can look into frozen rabbit sources, but either she is good on every 3 weeks, or will grow a little on every 2, but she is lean and I like her that way. I want healthy over large.

She is a good 6.5 ft now and I know she will keep growing, but do not want to force the issue and have her grow quickly at this point. If it takes her years to grow another 1/2 foot or so, that's fine with me.

Rabbits are fairly easy to find. Layne Labs has 1-2 pounders. The shipping is a bit crazy but the quality of the food is very good. Sometimes they run out but usually they have them. I haven't ever had to shop around.

I personally would not feed every 2 weeks at her age.

A larger rabbit less frequently is better IMO.

Mix large quail, 1 to 1.5 pound rabbits and large rats into the mix.

If you follow a Rentfro or Vin Russo feeding program, you can take the winter off. They recommend not feeding a boa until all signs of the previous meal are gone. Feeding them before the elimination of their meal is detrimental. There are exceptions to the feeding interval if you are keeping your boa in eternally hot conditions. Obviously the animal will go through digestion faster and will become hungry sooner if this is done year round. I believe this will ultimately shorten the lifespan of the snake. Gus Rentfro had a breeding female in her 20's at one point. It is a shame Gus no longer breeds or writes about his experiences.

The boa here just hit 12 years old and is very lean. I have noticed growth in length especially after this last year.

I think your female will continue to grow. especially if you add rabbits to the diet.

Your animal looks very good. if you are just keeping her as a pet, feed her conservatively from here out and she will be around a long time.