Posted by:
toshamc
at Sun May 6 13:13:55 2012 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by toshamc ]
When I got my first snakes 30 some odd years ago - we were told they ate once a month - so we fed them once a month - they weren't starved or malnourished looking but didn't look like the fat ball pythons of today.
Times change information became more available as did domestically produced snakes that ate a hell of a lot better than the imports we were getting - snakes started getting fed more often - they got fatter but honestly no real big change in overall growth rate.
Once every couple of weeks is fine for a balls metabolism and growth. Once a week is recommended if you are looking to rapid grow or bulk up a snake for breeding. A lot depends on your goals and perceptions - snakes don't need to be kept "constantly full".
I've taken in some really poor feeders from people that couldn't get them to eat but a couple of times a year - once onto a good feeding schedule the seem to pick up their growth - and some snakes just come from small stock and no matter what schedule they are on they stay on the petite side.
Set aside preconceived notions about feeding schedules and judge the snakes health (age, size muscle tone, etc.) and if you don't feel right about it then walk away.
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Tosha
nihil facimus sed id bene facimus
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RE: mainenance feeding? - toshamc, Sun May 6 13:13:55 2012