Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First, let me preface this question with a bit about me. I've been doing this snake thing for quite a long time, breeding successfully for many years, and feel like I know pretty much all one needs to know to be successful in this hobby. (In other words, this is not a "newbie" question.)

My question is for other serious/long term hobbiests such as myself. What is the ratio of prey weight to snake weight you like to use for weekly maintainance feeding of adult breeding stock. Obviously, other factors such as the diameter of the prey and snake are important in determing prey size, but what percentage of the adult snake's weight is ideal for each weekly feeding? What about on an every other week schedule?

I guess I'm looking for a percentage. Ex: If you like to feed your 2500 gram snakes a 250 gram rat each week, your answer would be 10% per week.

I'm very aware that snakes can and will eat things much larger than they probably should. I'm wondering what you think is ideal, and what you think is too much.

Should be an interesting discussion

I've been told balls can easily manage up to 20% of their weight - I usually feed around 15% plus or minus depending on the snake some seem to prefer smaller meals and others like larger meals, but I think on average 15% for an adult.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

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