Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a green burm thats 6 weeks old and I was wondering if I should feed her more often right now I feed her 1 lg mouse every 7 days. Thanks Steve
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Owner of:
0.1 Red Tail Boa,
1.0 Red Tail Boa,
0.1 Reticulated Python,
0.1 Green Burmese Python,
1.0 Bearded Dragon,
0.1 Leopard Gecko

Opinions on feeding vary greatly. My Burms at the size you are speaking of would be getting a prey item that is up to 1 1/2 times their girth every 5-6 days. I monitor them to make sure they are digesting and defacating and their growth is well suppported.
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Marcia Pimentel
Tango River Reptiles
GiantFeeders

Young burms are "programmed" for rapid growth as hatchlings (SURVIVAL). At that age, you might consider bumping up either the number of prey items, or, try a larger prey item. My baby burms/retics/etc. typically get fed 2-3 prey items every 5-7 days depending on willingness to feed for the first year and then I begin cutting back to every two weeks. My largest burm, a 18' female, gets one to two large rabbits a month and that keeps her in tip, top shape. I also supplement with a quality vitamin/mineral supplement every third feeding for all of my burms - more often for hathclings (I do this because I feed mainly frozen/thawed). But, the bottom line is that there is really no scientific evidence to support one regimen over another so you must do what you feel is best. I like to gauge the health of my snakes by overall appearance....I want my snakes to be alert, moderately active, firm and well rounded but not obese.

Hope this helps.

Rob Carmichael, Director/Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center - City of Lake Forest (IL)

Thanks for the reply what do use for the supplement?Can you use rep-cal if so what do you do just dust the mouse before you feed it to them cause I use f/t. Thanks Steve
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Owner of:
0.1 Red Tail Boa,
1.0 Red Tail Boa,
0.1 Reticulated Python,
0.1 Green Burmese Python,
1.0 Bearded Dragon,
0.1 Leopard Gecko

I typically use a 50/50 mix of repcal and herptivite. I simply moisten the rump of a dead rodent, sprinkle some of the vitamins (a healthy pinch for a large adult) on and feed. By putting it on the rump the snake is less apt to turn its nose to the food since that will be the last part eaten.