>>true but you also need to realize that there are two things happening to that carcass in the snakes belly. it is being digested, but it is also decomposing. If the snake still has a bulge in its belly after 2 days the item is too big, and it is starting to decompose faster than being digested now...and when the decomposing flesh is digested it can make the snake very sick.
>>
>>so yes they can eat bigger items, however I just dont reccomend it because of that factor.
>>-----


Hotshot is right.
The "rule" you brought up is actually prey items no larger then 1 1/2 times thier diameter.
Up to this size is fine, especially if proper conditions are maintained.
This is just a general rule, though.
They can and have eaten larger prey items but there is no sense in pressing it.
Like you said, if they prey item is too large there is always the possibility that digestion will be slower then decomposition.
This happens a lot when hatchlings decide to dine on hatch mates. They might get them down but it can be fatal for them too.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

[ Hide Replies ]

• Feeding question - machinegun, Mon Sep 6 15:01:42 2004
• RE: Feeding question - crtoon83, Mon Sep 6 15:23:04 2004
• RE: Feeding question - Hotshot, Mon Sep 6 18:04:56 2004
• RE: Feeding question - crtoon83, Mon Sep 6 19:29:20 2004
• RE: Feeding question - draybar, Mon Sep 6 20:18:44 2004
• RE: Feeding question - jyohe, Mon Sep 6 20:31:44 2004
• sure - draybar, Mon Sep 6 15:24:52 2004