Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So my Dums has started eating 3 small rats every Saturday night, feeding night, and I don't know if that is excessive for a 4 foot snake. He's never regurgitated, thick spots from the rats are always gone in two or three days, then he is ready to eat again. He still only poops about once every two weeks, sometimes a little more frequently. I've heard with Dum's, they tend to at least pee everyday, which has been proven with my guy. I just don't want to be over feeding him. Any thoughts. Should I quit feeding him as often even though he will eat them with vigor?
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1.0 Dumeril's Boa(acrantophis dumerili)
0.0.1 Kenyan Sand Boa(Erix Colubrinus)
0.1 Significant other
0.1 Roommate
0.1 Cat(Burden)

In the interest of giving you some kind of a response, I'll put in my two cents' worth. I'm no Dumeril's Boa expert specifically, but I've been keeping reptiles almost my whole life - so I think this isn't too much of a stretch. This is a really slow forum at times.

First, it makes a difference in what kind of advice anyone can give you, if you can tell us how long you've had the snake, and more specifically, how long you've been feeding it by the regimen you describe. Also, since everybody under the sun has a different definition of prey sizes, some kind of a measurement (weight would be excellent) on the "small" rats in question would also be helpful.

That being said, I'll offer a note of caution: from what I have read here, and seen in my own (1) Dumeril's Boa, this species seems to have a somewhat shorter stomach and perhaps slower metabolism than a lot of other commonly kept species. DEPENDING on the size of the prey items, this may be perfect, or may be asking for trouble.

If you haven't seen any problems with your snake eating on this schedule you describe, there may not be any issues to worry about. That isn't a guarantee. I may be misunderstanding how long you've been feeding him this way.

In the interests of your expenses though, if you are reaching the end of a bag of frozen rats that are small enough he is readily eating 3 at each feeding, it would probably be smarter to move up a size or two, just so you are not wasting your money.

All of this is pure speculation. Things for you to consider. Hopefully you will get some more responses.

~Rebecca
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0.1 Dumeril's Boa '04 (Courtney)
1.2 Ball Pythons
[1.0 '05 Orange Hypo (Specter)]
[0.1 '05 Het Orange Hypo (Sylvia)]
[0.1 '03 Normal (Sue)]
0.2 American Pit Bull Terriers (40lb darling lap dogs:Brandy&Mara)

I have had him almost a year. He's been on this schedule for almost 3 months. previously he would eat medium sized rats(2) every other week. I noticed he is always active and looking to eat every week, so I moved him up. The rats are 7 to 8 inches long, and he is sitting just over 4'. He seems to be handling it great, always ready to take his next meal, except of course when he is starting a shed cycle. Then he lazily eats the one rat I offer him. The temperature in the cage is extremely constant, always chilling a little at night. The cage is also very large for him so there is a nice big area for him to bask in. could be the heat helping him digest better. Don't know really. Maybe this is just what he requires, could be different than most other animals.
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1.0 Dumeril's Boa(acrantophis dumerili)
0.0.1 Kenyan Sand Boa(Erix Colubrinus)
0.1 Significant other
0.1 Roommate
0.1 Cat(Burden)

I agree that you should move up a prey size, smalls are rather "small" for a 4 foot dumerils. My 3.5-4 foot balls eat mediums! Also, every other week is really best for this species as they have a tendency to become overweight (due to their very slow metabolism and cooler temperature preferences).
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Thanks,
Amy
www.myboids.4t.com
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2.17 Normal ball pythons
1.0 Pastel ball pythons
0.0.1 Sinaloan Milk Snake
0.0.1 Plains Garter
0.1 Normal Kenyan Sand Boa
2.0 Anery Kenyan Sand Boa
1.0 Mid-Baja Rosy Boa
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat
1.2 Dumeril's Boa
My list is too long, so I'll stop here!