Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently fed my 500gm snake a 60gm rat. It ate it, took some time it was its first rat. The meal was as big as the animal around. The reason I ask if its alright is I see some breeders stating that their 1500gm snake is taking medium rats. It is out of its hide two days after the meal. Why is it so hungry??? Its never eaten like this.

when you feed it you should sorta be able to see a bump in the snake

most of my 1500 gram snakes take medium rats

you can always try offering 2, if it isn't hungry it won't eat it

I always try 2 smaller ones for awhile before I jump up to the next size.
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Misty Sprouse Ball Pythons

Are you sure it's out of the hide because it's hungry? Did it tell you that? Could be it just feels like going for a cruise.

Keep to a regular schedule, and just offer a slightly larger meal next time.

I read once that someone fed their breeding size snakes just a medium sized rat once a week, and they gained weight just fine after breeding season. I gave it a shot...that person was right! I have a 3100 g female that for this entire year has gotten nothing bigger than a medium sized rat, occasionally two (when someone else didn't eat theirs). She gained weight back from the clutch she laid last season, and then some, and is now gravid with her second.

It could be that your snake is out cruising because the rat had more protein, nutrients, etc, than the mice it had been eating previously had. I know my snakes don't cruise their cage only when they're hungry; sometimes they just want to stretch out, it seems like.

~jenny
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