If you want to reach their full potential, the key is understanding how they work. Give them choices to conserve energy and moisture, and ways to expend it. That is, a usable heat range and feed them. No not once or twice a week, feed them when they are hungry. Consider, if they feed on their own, they are hungry. If they grow long and thin, its all good, If they grow short and fat, then they need to have more heat. Last year, I observed wild hogs feeding until they had prey hanging out their mouths. Then feeding the next day.
obesity is more about improper temps then amount of food. Of course individuals like old males, can become obese.
Such things like fatty liver Disease are products of not being able to process energy/fat due to low temps. Unable to place fat normally.
Lastly something to think about, snakes are not bound by air temps, in fact, that is a very poor tool to understanding reptiles. Its about like using a hammer to set a screw. You can do it, but not so well. Mass or surface temps are key. They do not have a thermometer. They feel temps with their bodies. Consider, air temps in the seventies can produce surface temps in the 130F area. Air temps of 90's or above, up to 145F or more. depending on the surface type and angle to the sun.
This also works in captivity. Temps travel thru mass. So cage air temps while a lot closer then in nature, are not the same as mass temps. You need to check mass temps to actually say what a snake is doing. With hogs, its far more important as they live "in" the mass. Also, Good luck this year with your animals, I am sure your going to do great.

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]