feeding a pregnant snake?

Akureyri · #1 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 05:22 AM

ok well i have a female redtail boa. approx 3-4 yrs old and nearing the end of her pregnancy.i bought her oct 12 2006 and she was already very pregnant. she has shed once on 11/08. she hasnt eaten since ive had her i havent tried until tonite when i gave her a rat pinky. im curious because tomorrow is feeding day for everyone. should i go ahead and get her a mouse or 2? she seems to be very hungry by the way that she attacked the pinky. this is my first pregnant snake so im not too sure. ive been told not to feed her any rats as they are too big and might put stress on the babies as it passes. so any help / advice would be appreciated. thanks

Akureyri · #2 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 06:04 AM

anyone???

Rex322 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 12:27 PM

i wouldnt feed her till after the babies are born and removed. thats what i was always told, and how im gonna do it. the female should have enough weight put on her to go the whole term without needing to eat

Bigdogg · #4 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 01:24 PM

Well don't feed her if she is pregnant. How big is this boa. I mean why would you try a pinky. Just curious. If you have a boa that is pregnant and you say she looks hungry than she isn't pregnant. A pinky wouldn't fill her up ne way

CraigC · #5 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdogg

Well don't feed her if she is pregnant. How big is this boa. I mean why would you try a pinky. Just curious. If you have a boa that is pregnant and you say she looks hungry than she isn't pregnant. A pinky wouldn't fill her up ne way

What are you basing that a female that may be gravid doesn't eat on? I have had an emerald eat until 1-1/2 months before birth and then her next pregnancy, go off feed right after POS. I always offer food and let her decide if she wants to eat. Withholding food might be detrimental to her health and claiming you shouldn't feed a gravid snake is bad advice, IMO.

Craig

telefrag · #6 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 01:39 PM

I feed gravid/preganant snakes as often as they will take food.

I do offer smaller items, but not that small

But what im more curious about, was this animal shipped while it was pregnant?

especially near the end of its pregnancy?

ChadRamsey · #7 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 02:15 PM

I agree with Telefrag. My gravid ball is taken smaller meals every 3 weeks or so. She was eating Large rats every 2 weeks, but she now accepts smalls. So yes, feed her if she will take it. Her body needs the nutrients!

Akureyri · #8 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 08:24 PM

i only fed her a pinky because i had an extra, keep in mind that its a rat pinky, . she wasnt shipped at all. she had been in the shop where i bought her from for a while. but i have had a few people tell me not to feed until after the birth of the babies. thats why i am asking

telefrag · #9 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 08:36 PM

gotcha.
I was just curious, a snake that is shipped or goes through that much stress during pregnancy its very likely to cause problems with the birth.

if she will eat, its not going to hurt her to feed small food items (nothing that will result in a large poo or a huge lump)

some people prefer not to feed, and they are not wrong either.
its really a matter of what the animal can endure.
if your working with a animal with great body weight and being pregnant hasnt completely depleted her body fat then its not really needed, but most snakes will use alot of resources to help the developing babies, and any extra that they will take will be put to good use.

if she isnt interested in food dont force her, but if she takes it eagerly, then she knows she needs it.
snakes know what they need
(most of the time anyways.. haha)
snakes sometimes do get overzealous with feeding, but I wonder sometimes if they do that because they are bored more than they are hungry.

keep us posted, hope you get a good healthy litter.

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