Weight loss-how much is too much

[tigerlily]

I have a question about when she was weighed. Is it possible that you weighed her after a meal, and then the last time after a defecation? All in all you should see more of a weight gain, I would think.

You may want to consider having a fecal performed to eliminate the possibilty of parasites causing problems.

[jason4173]

Will seek a new place for her to stay and see how it goes! What about her size...being 18 inches long approx what should she be weighing? As I said in the original post Im not sure about the weight loss...what point is it too much. She was 103g when I got her, had her to 119g and now back to 108g. What is a good weight for a snake of this length to be...roughly...is there an "ideal" weight for a snake?

[tigerlily]

Will seek a new place for her to stay and see how it goes! What about her size...being 18 inches long approx what should she be weighing? As I said in the original post Im not sure about the weight loss...what point is it too much. She was 103g when I got her, had her to 119g and now back to 108g. What is a good weight for a snake of this length to be...roughly...is there an "ideal" weight for a snake?

I couldn't give you an ideal weight, because it seems to vary so much from individual to individual. What you want to look for is the condition of the snake. Look along the backbone. If you can see the backbone prominently then you have an emaciated snake. I'll have to see if I can snap some pictures, to give you some idea.

Also I wanted to point out that it's possible you had a full weight at 119g, and that some of the weight loss could be attributed to a defecation. You're still above where you got her, so don't panic.

[Freakie_frog]

Will seek a new place for her to stay and see how it goes! What about her size...being 18 inches long approx what should she be weighing? As I said in the original post Im not sure about the weight loss...what point is it too much. She was 103g when I got her, had her to 119g and now back to 108g. What is a good weight for a snake of this length to be...roughly...is there an "ideal" weight for a snake?

Christie made a good point remember we're only talking about 11 grams for a young ball thats a good poop and a quick pee and there went 11 grams. I wouldn't panic just yet now if she lost 75 grams in 2 weeks yea panic but she just getting started

One thing I will point out is that you got her to feed on Dec the 30th and haven't gotten her to feed again thats only 5 days. Give her a good 7 days between feeding she may not be eating cause shes not hungry. Move he to a more quite part of the house and do mess with her till like Monday or Tuesdays then try to feed her. Every thing else sounds right on..

Good job on the set up by the way.

[jason4173]

I have a question about when she was weighed. Is it possible that you weighed her after a meal, and then the last time after a defecation? All in all you should see more of a weight gain, I would think.

You may want to consider having a fecal performed to eliminate the possibilty of parasites causing problems.

Dec 18 - ate 3 fuzzies
Dec 19 - poo
Dec 23 - 116g
Dec 24 - tried feeding - no (showing signs of shed coming, white eyes)
Dec 29 - tried feeding - 1 fuzzy down
Dec 30 - complete shed
Dec 31 - 119g
Jan 1-08 - poo
Jan 3-08 - tried feeding - no

[Freakie_frog]

Dec 18 - ate 3 fuzzies
Dec 19 - poo
Dec 23 - 116g
Dec 24 - tried feeding - no (showing signs of shed coming, white eyes)
Dec 29 - tried feeding - 1 fuzzy down
Dec 30 - complete shed
Dec 31 - 119g
Jan 1-08 - poo
Jan 3-08 - tried feeding - no

Yea give her a couple of days in the new part of the house and see how she goes..

If it make you feel any better I have one that hasn't eaten since Oct 07

[jason4173]

My wife just made a point too...when I offered an adult mouse and she (the snake) refused to eat it, I then offered a fuzzie and she struck and ate...should I try to keep her on the fuzzies and just give her 3 or so that she will eat? Her skin is "loose" and kinda baggy, no prominant backbone but definantly losing weight.

Am wondering if she is freaked out about having a small adult mouse introduced after being fed only the tiny fuzzies...

[Freakie_frog]

Am wondering if she is freaked out about having a small adult mouse introduced after being fed only the tiny fuzzies...

Could be....Try the fuzzie and see what happens. If she eats three so be it then she eat three.

I have a male that will only eat mice he eats 3 adult mice a week but will not touch a rat..A Jedi once told me "Feed them what they will eat"

[jason4173]

Ok...on my way to the pet store to get some more fuzzies then..will try that and see how it goes!! Thanks everyone!!!!!!! will update with how it goes.

Thanks again for the help!!

[tigerlily]

Here are some pics of some of my '07 to give you an idea about body size.



Close up of the girl on the left (150g - smallest in my collection)

Chunkiest girl of mine (255g)


All are about the same length, and all are in good shape. You can still see the backbone in the the smaller snakes, but it's not sunk in (which would the the case of a thin snake).

Maybe post a picture and let us gauge the snake for you as well, if you're able. Otherwise I think that it's a good plan to stick with the multiple fuzzies until you're more confident about their feeding. It's definitely likely that a lot of that first weight was due to the feeding. There's very little likelihood that that defecation right after had anything to do with the meal consumed the day before, imo.