Its yes, its from more energy taken in, then is being used. EATING TO MUCH.



The problem is actually not about eating to much, its about not being able to expend energy. That animal has been chronically undermetabolized. That is, not allowed to reach full operating temps.



So no, its actually not from eating to much, in that sense.



Normally, snakes do not store fat in that manner, that is rarely if ever seen in nature. Yet there plenty of really fat snakes in nature.



With that in mind, storing fat that way, should be considered a sickness and not treated as normal.



The primary cause is a not being able to reach preferred basking temps, therefore below normal body temps.



That combined with habitual feeding, that is, the keeper feeding on a set schedule. You know like every three days or even once a week(depending on temps) Without consideration for activity. Simply put, if its an adult snake and its not breeding or active, then it does not have to be fed much at all. An adult like that one could be fed five to tens times a year and will hold its weight well.



So if the keeper refuses to raise the temps, then the keeper needs to feed less. So in the end, its about overfeeding, if the keeper is not supporting the animals temp needs. I think one should consider the temps they CHOOSE as normal. So with that in mind, in most cases its not overfeeding. Its really not about what temps WE choose to give them, is it?

[ Show Entire Thread ]