When is it time to up her food intake?

[mrboston9]

I currently feed my boa "Cecilia" a medium rat on Sunday and Wednesday. She is now eating both rats right away with no problems. When should I up the number of medium rats or switch to large rats?

Thanks!

Mrboston9
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[captainmorgan]

how big is she? Mine are about 5'+ and I feed them 2 large every 2 weeks. You may be over feeding depending on her size. Remember, snakes are opportunistic. Personally I'd give her more than just 3 days to digest the first rat. Maybe you have a highly active/high metabolism snake that can handle that much food intake. If you're going to give her 2 rats, wait a week from today and feed her the next sunday and start with 2 med's or 1 large on sunday's. Again, depending on size. That's just my opinion. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]
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[herp_chick]

First off, how old is you boa? Sounds like she's already being fed too often. If she can take a med rat every 3-4 days, then I would go with a larger prey item every 7 days. The rule of thumb is just a little bigger than the largest part of the snake's girth. Feeding that often is called power feeding, which can cause health problems later. The boa's digestive system is being overworked, as they have a slower metabolism than other types of snakes. She does not have enough time between feeds to replenish her gut flora, which is not healthy. Neonates are often fed every 5-7 days, one yr and up, every 10-14 days. With an appropriately sized prey item as specified above.
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[mrboston9]

When I first started her on two snakes, I tried 2 med. rats the same night, but she only ate one. I didn't like the idea of wasting the food, so I tried the twice a week and it seemed to work.

I will not feed her tonight (just so you know, she will not be a "happy herp&quot and will wait until next sunday and feed her the two mediums.

Thanks for the advice! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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[mrboston9]

You and HerpChick seem to agree on it. I hate the thought that I might be hurting her. I will change her diet as you guys suggest.

Do you have any idea how often she should be getting rid of the waste in her system on the schedule I was feeding her?

Also, I have heard that snakes do not need any vitamins or supliments of any type. Is this true, or should I be giving her some additional vitamins?

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[captainmorgan]

For the past 3 years my snakes never recieved any added vitamins and are strong as an ox. Figure of speach....With the waste....it depends. I mean, what helps them digest is warmth and movement. Try soaking your snake in a mildly warm water and I bet after a half an hour she'll turd for ya!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] But on the normal for mine at 5'+, the eat 2 rats every 2 weeks and do there business maybe every 10 or so days. I never really keep track of the poo unless I notice that there is none for the 2 week period. A snake will absorb as much as possible of nutrients from the rats. Don't even waste the money on vitamins. Give her a soak in the tub, just make sure it's not to deep and if it is deep, put something in there for her to settle on like a hide upside down or a piece of drift would you may have for decoration. BTW, how big is she? You never answered...She might not be a happy herp tonight, but in the long run she won't become an obeise unhappy one either.... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] And yes, snakes can get obeise.
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