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Too fat or just growing?

Dragonflychaser Dec 04, 2006 07:28 PM

I posted images of my '06 corn awhile back and a few of you thought he was a bit on the lean side. So as suggested, the past few meals he's eaten have consisted of two fuzzies every 4-5 days instead of one. Well, he's thickened out very fast, but now I'm wondering if I got him too fat (possibly too fast?)

On the thicker areas of his girth, I've noticed the skin looks stretched so that the scales have a small border of pink skin instead of scale overlapping scale. He should be shedding again soon, so maybe this will go away with the new growth, but have I fattened him up too much?

The fuzzies are the correct size for him, and I can still see the "skin" after the meal/bulge has been digested.

I've no way to weigh him, but I can try to get close-up photos tonight if necessary. I'm not all that worried, just wondering if I should go back to 1 fuzzie instead of 2.

Here's a photo I already have on my hard-drive, where you can kinda see what I'm talking about on the left side, mid-section.

Thanks!

-Bree
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0.0.1 Okeetee corn snake "Apollo"
DeviantART Gallery

Replies (16)

draybar Dec 04, 2006 07:38 PM

>>I posted images of my '06 corn awhile back and a few of you thought he was a bit on the lean side. So as suggested, the past few meals he's eaten have consisted of two fuzzies every 4-5 days instead of one. Well, he's thickened out very fast, but now I'm wondering if I got him too fat (possibly too fast?)
>>
>>On the thicker areas of his girth, I've noticed the skin looks stretched so that the scales have a small border of pink skin instead of scale overlapping scale. He should be shedding again soon, so maybe this will go away with the new growth, but have I fattened him up too much?
>>
>>The fuzzies are the correct size for him, and I can still see the "skin" after the meal/bulge has been digested.
>>
>>I've no way to weigh him, but I can try to get close-up photos tonight if necessary. I'm not all that worried, just wondering if I should go back to 1 fuzzie instead of 2.
>>
>>Here's a photo I already have on my hard-drive, where you can kinda see what I'm talking about on the left side, mid-section.
>>
>>
>>

I would just go to 2 fuzzies once a week.
Every 4 to 5 days barely gives it time to digest and defecate before you are feeding it again.
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

DISCERN Dec 04, 2006 08:59 PM

I agree!
If you are noticing scales stretched with skin showing underneath, then the snake may be too fat.
Being overweight, in humans and also snakes, is never good.

Billy
-----
Genesis 1:1

Dragonflychaser Dec 04, 2006 11:36 PM

Thanks guys! Again, this is my first snake so I'm learning.

Which would be better to switch to, then: one meal of 2 fuzzies once a week or two meals of 1 fuzzie once a week?
-----
0.0.1 Okeetee corn snake "Apollo"
DeviantART Gallery

HappyHillbilly Dec 05, 2006 03:27 AM

"Which would be better to switch to, then: one meal of 2 fuzzies once a week or two meals of 1 fuzzie once a week?"

One meal of 2 fuzzies once a week.

Take care!
Mike
-----
It is said that 1 out of every 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends, if they're normal, then it's you.

Dragonflychaser Dec 05, 2006 11:24 PM

That's what I was hoping to hear, because that means I have more days to handle him.

-Bree
-----
0.0.1 Okeetee corn snake "Apollo"
DeviantART Gallery

draybar Dec 05, 2006 05:01 PM

>>Thanks guys! Again, this is my first snake so I'm learning.
>>
>>Which would be better to switch to, then: one meal of 2 fuzzies once a week or two meals of 1 fuzzie once a week?
>>-----

A lot of people do it differently, especially with hatchlings, but this is what I do.....

I start with one pinkie, once a week
When that fails to leave a noticeable bulge I switch to two pinkies once a week.
When they fail to leave a noticeable bulge I switch to one fuzzie once a week.
When that fails to leave a bulge I switch to two fuzzies once a week.
then one hopper
then two hoppers
then one adult
When I get to one adult a week that is it.
One adult once a week.

-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

Dragonflychaser Dec 05, 2006 11:26 PM

Thanks Draybar!

-Bree
-----
0.0.1 Okeetee corn snake "Apollo"
DeviantART Gallery

DISCERN Dec 06, 2006 04:36 PM

To me, what Draybar said, is perfect.
Once a week is great for any snake. I have done both, twice a week and once a week, and I noticed that those fed once a week grow just fine, and also, have more time to just not have any food in their system once they poop.
Remember, you want your snake to be healthy, and not fat and obese.
-----
Genesis 1:1

Dragonflychaser Dec 06, 2006 09:41 PM

Right, I'm in love with Apollo so I definitely want him to be healthy. I only did the "overfeeding" a few times, and I handle him for short periods of time frequently throughout the week (unless he just ate), so I'm sure any extra fat won't last much longer.

I was able to examine his girth more closely the other day, and any "borders" surrounding the individual scales I saw looked like signs of an upcoming shed. Can't wait to measure the skin when he does shed to see how long he is now. :D

-Bree

Image
-----
0.0.1 Okeetee corn snake "Apollo"
DeviantART Gallery

DISCERN Dec 06, 2006 09:57 PM

Is that your snake Apollo? Gorgeous!
-----
Genesis 1:1

Dragonflychaser Dec 06, 2006 10:11 PM

Yep! I lucked out on him, too. A friend of mine came in contact with a guy who had some corn snakes that he was desperate to get rid of because he no longer had any interest. I took the youngest, along with its 10 gallon tank, water bowl, and hide cave all for $20. He would've even taken $10, but I'd feel too guilty.
Image
-----
0.0.1 Okeetee corn snake "Apollo"
DeviantART Gallery

DISCERN Dec 06, 2006 10:57 PM

That was a great deal!!!
-----
Genesis 1:1

HappyHillbilly Dec 08, 2006 11:35 AM

You do realize that measuring the shed skin won't give you an accurate measurement of how long the snake is, don't you? The shed skin usually stretches some during shedding and can even shrink when as it dries out.

I use string to measure the snake. Usually helps to have two people doing it because you have to hold the string with one hand, pin it down a few inches down the snake's body with the other and keep working your way all the way down, little by little, following each curve.

Take care!
Mike
-----
It is said that 1 out of every 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends, if they're normal, then it's you.

Dragonflychaser Dec 08, 2006 02:10 PM

Hahaha, that explains why a recent shed was shorter than the previous one! And here I thought I had just measured wrong. XD

Thanks for the heads-up. Otherwise I can just see myself measuring the upcoming one and thinking, "I don't understand! Why is he SHRINKING?"
-----
0.0.1 Okeetee corn snake "Apollo"
DeviantART Gallery

HappyHillbilly Dec 08, 2006 02:19 PM

LOL!!!

You're very welcome for the "head's up."

Have a great day!
Mike
-----
It is said that 1 out of every 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends, if they're normal, then it's you.

wisema2297 Dec 04, 2006 09:02 PM

four fuzzies sen a but much for an 06. My 05 is now almost 36 inches and she was never feed as much. I just her warm area right at 90 (I know some think that is too hot) but her cool area was about 78. I also helps that she has never refused a meal. My feeding records show that I was feeding her 2 fuzzies a week at about this same time last year.

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