Posted by:
bwaffa
at Mon Aug 4 22:12:32 2008 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by bwaffa ]
I'm no burm expert, but I can speak a bit to reptile nutrition...
You're dealing with an ectotherm -- your snake's temperature, which you more or less control, determines his metabolism.
This is NOT to say "turn up the heat and watch him shed meat." You should never keep your snake at temperatures which exceed his species-specific requirements. That being said, however, make sure the gradient you offer him DOES cover the higher range of temperatures he needs to fully digest meals and begin burning those reserves. For P. molurus bivittatus I think these are upwards of 88 or 90 F in the basking area (cooler on the other side of the enclosure and at night) -- but double check this, of course.
As with all species, exercise is also an important factor. If he won't chase a tennis ball, at least make sure his enclosure is large enough that he can crawl around and explore. If he's handleable get him out and really let him roam. The more he's moving the more energy he's using which, in biological terms, equates to flopping off the flub.
Finally, of course, cut back his diet. Make sure to do this slowly though. Reptiles are slow to do everything and they don't appreciate sudden changes. Keep him on his current diet until he's settled. Once he's comfortable and established in his new home, slowly begin cutting back -- maybe continue feeding him two rabbits, but smaller sized ones. Continue this until you arrive at something more compatible with a snake of his size.
Keep in mind, too, that smaller more frequent meals are preferable and more conducive to healthy body weight than are larger less frequent meals (the same is true in humans!). Make sure he always has plenty of water and monitor him carefully to evaluate his progress.
As I mentioned, I'm by no means an expert, but I hope this provides a good jump off point. Good luck to you both!
Brad Waffa
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1.0 ball python (Python regius)
1.1 hypo apricot pueblan milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli)
1.0 hypo tangerine honduran milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis)
0.1 montane egg eater (Dasypeltis atra)
0.1 woma (Aspidites ramsayi)
1.1 calabar python (Charina reinhardtii)
0.1 hog island boa (Boa constrictor imperator)
[ Hide Replies ]
- advice, opinions, help - exitwounds, Mon Aug 4 15:49:01 2008
 RE: advice, opinions, help - bwaffa, Mon Aug 4 22:12:32 2008- RE: advice, opinions, help - laurarfl, Tue Aug 5 07:18:27 2008
- RE: advice, opinions, help - bwaffa, Tue Aug 5 09:49:34 2008
- RE: advice, opinions, help - PHFaust, Tue Aug 5 10:28:54 2008
- RE: advice, opinions, help - HappyHillbilly, Tue Aug 5 13:47:10 2008
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