Posted by:
HappyHillbilly
at Fri Apr 25 00:17:51 2008 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by HappyHillbilly ]
Hi Ian!
For an 8ft Burmese python your cage isn't necessarily too small, in my opinion, but it will be soon. Burmese seem to do better with more floor space than cage height, however, you might could make use of your cage's height by adding a strong shelf or two, an upper layer. Climbing branches will help as well. But before you put much more time & money in that cage you might want to consider putting it towards a new, bigger, one.
I suggest start trying to get it switched over to small rabbits. As far as rat sizes, heh, I think some of the suppliers get a bit too carried away with too many "large" sizes. To me, there's small rats, medium rats, large rats, and occasionally, extra large or "huge" rats. I personally feel that an 8-footer should be fed in the neighborhood of 4 - 6 large or extra large rats every two weeks.
Some snakes can eat more than others without getting overweight due to their individual metabolism but for the most part a reptile's metabolism is controlled by it's environment, the cage's temperatures. This is why we have different recommended hot/cool end temps. Give the reptile a wide range & let it choose the temps it needs at any given time.
I mentioned all that to give some background info about how much a certain size Burmese python (or any other snake or reptile) should be fed. It can vary (although usually not by a great amount) from snake to snake, from enclosure to enclosure. We have to experiment to find the right amount.
You don't want to feed it till it pukes, overstuffing it, and you don't want it to still be hungry after feeding. You've got to find that point in between. If a snake moves about it's cage after feeding as gingerly as it did beforehand, it's probably still hungry, not getting enough to eat. It takes a few feedings to find the right balance. You might try feeding it 3 of the same size rats you've been feeding it and see how it reacts. I would probably stick with rats at the moment just to determine what's a good meal for your Burmese python and then start trying to switch to rabbits once you see how much mass makes a good meal for it.
Burmese pythons are heavy-bodied snakes and not slender built like retics, corns, and most others. However, some people seem to think they're designed to be fat and just keep throwing food at 'em left & right without any regard to proper body proportioning. Just keep an eye on it's weight and make feeding amount adjustments if/when necessary.
Sorry for the long post, this happens when I try to be thorough and end up being too thorough sometimes. Ha! Oh well.
Take care!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American
www.natures-signature.com
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RE: Strange and hyperactive snake? - HappyHillbilly, Fri Apr 25 00:17:51 2008