Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OKay, i'm no newbie, but i was wondering if anyone could help me with a simple question about my amel striped corn, she's about 2... I have been feeding her once a week, two adult mice, maybe skipping a week every once in a while. But i'm starting to get a bit concerned about her weight. I don't think she's overweight, but i'd rather be able to detect it before i end up over feeding her.

Anyone got any tips on how to simple tell wether she's overweight or not, and if she is, how can i help her loose some?

A two year old snake only needs one mouse a week - especially if it's not part of a breeding program. I've seen a heck of a lot of overweight corn snakes over the years, with their owners having no idea that their snake was fat. Have you even seen and held a wild corn snake? It's amazing how muscular they are and how they have the ability to climb straight up a tree trunk or across a clothes line - I've seen many "pet" corns that can't do that!

Tim

Third Eye

I'm not an expert by any means, but I start backing off on the feeding if I notice that the snakes' interstitials are starting to show, or they start looking less toned. I keep my adult male pretty trim, but I'll let my female eat as much as she wants, just because breeding and egg production is super-stressful, and I don't want her to start off the season without some reserves...

I'm not an expert either. But I do have an obese female at the shop. And I sit here looking at my tubs thinking my snakes do not have much to do in there. Then I thought why not make a kind of "monkey bar" set to fit in the tubs. 1/2" PVC and some "T" and elbow fitting. Easy to clean, make it to fit what ever tub you have, and the snake has something to climb over and around to get some exercise.

Just a thought.
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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com

I have my adult corns out for 'exercise' at least three times a week, for a minimum of one hour. If the weather's nice then I'll take them outside and let them climb up tree trunks (which is REALLY FUN to watch, and makes for great pictures) and if the weather's crappy, the cats get locked in the bathroom and the snakes get to hang out on the futon while we watch TV.

The juvies I have are active enough in their bins that I don't feel the need to have them out for such long periods of exercise, plus I don't want to overstress them.

Could some post a picture of an overweight corn?
Also, what exactly are the guilines for weight?