Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok as I sit here, I find myself simply going through the blood forums way back and reading stuff. I also look through the photo gallery. Having worked with Kara for guest chats here, I know obesity is a big issue with the snakes. They are very prone to becoming overweight. Mine are way too young to be looking at this, but seeing as this is also a huge pet peeve with me in regards to dogs and cats (I can be fat and unhealthy, I dont want my animals to be).

What is a good guide to telling if you snake is a good weight as adults. One thing I have always looked for is the spine ridge, but being a new blood person, am I looking at the wrong thing?

What is everyone elses advice?
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Cindy
PHFaust

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Land of the Outcasts!

Cindy, since the fat bodies are actually on the inside of the ribs, the spine really does not indicate much. The indication is more in the lay of scales over each other combined with getting familiar with the feel of the mid-portion of the body towards the tail. Obese snakes tend to have a dramatic change from the pre-vent area to the tail as if they need to take a real hardy dump. Of course, as with us old timers, some carry their weight better than others. Even through they have fat on them, it is too much fat that leads to problems. So really there is no magical identifier other than being conscious of your feeding routine. Another idea for my website: Fit versus fat photos??? Now if I can only get around to setting it up!
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routine. Another idea for my website: Fit versus fat photos??? Now if I can only get around to setting it up!
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Yeppers. I look at pics and have a hard time determining it right now. Perhaps as mine age and I get a better physical grasp of it, I might have better perception.

I just have heard some folks rant against the obesity of this species in particular because it seems so easy to cross that line.

Of course with mine, I suspect you would slap me.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!