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Proper amount to feed?

everlight389 May 14, 2008 11:52 PM

Hello,

I have a male and a female jungle carpet python that I'm wondering how much I should feed them and on what kind of basis. They're about 3 years old now and full length, but I'd like to bulk them up a bit as they seem pretty lean compared to some of the jungle carpet pythons I've seen. I generally feed them every 10 days or so at this point.

I'll be honest that I haven't been the most diligent about feeding them every week and that's most likely why they are somewhat small for their age. My room isn't as warm as a snake breeder's room either, so they haven't grown quite as fast.

Anywho, I have them eating full size frozen/thawed rats. How much can I feed them? As much as they want to eat? I started feeding them 2 rats each a few days ago and they still seemed hungry. I just don't want to overfeed them or something, as I'm not sure if they would know when to stop before getting sick. Would 3 rats each/feeding be okay?

Thanks,

Sean
-----
1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Northern Blue Tongue Skink

Replies (7)

hayseed May 15, 2008 10:35 AM

During the summer months, they may eat more frequently than in winter. If they don't want to eat, they won't eat. It may be possible to over-feed some snakes and see them get obese, but I think it's far more common to see some owners under-feed their animals. If they are healthy and have a proper environment they should want to eat very regularly (once a week) especially during the warm spring and summer months. If you watch them closely you may even notice behavior clues that say "I'm hungry". Mine usually move around as if they are "on the hunt" when its about time for a feeding.

My Coastal Carpets eat one very large, jumbo rat once a week during the summer. It's easy to let time pass and skip feeding them, so I make it a very regular habit to feed them every week during the summer. One way to make this a habit is to designate a particular day as "snake feeding day". I usually do all my feeding on Sunday. Mine usually eat well, but there are occasional times when they won't eat and that's alright but best not to go for long periods without feeding.

Sounds to me like maybe you could improve your temperature. You should try to maintain a proper temperature gradient. Although certain types of carpet pythons are more tolerant of a broader temperature range, I believe that Jungle Carpets are one that prefer to have a warmer temp (someone can correct me if I'm wrong about that). In nature, JCP live in a warmer climate that others like diamond carpets. They should have a temperature gradient with one end of the enclosure warmer (85-90 degrees) and the other end not so warm (75-80 degrees) so that they have a choice of temperatures to thermo-regulate. A warmer temperature is also valuable to them when they are feeding well. Mine usually bask, fat and happy, in their warmest spot after feeding. If the snakes are simply too cold it can effect the digestion of their food items. But you want to set up a proper heat source and not have it directly exposed to the snakes so they can't burn themselves if they touch it. I use ceramic heat lamps that are placed on one end of the enclosure and separated from the snake by a piece of metal screen. The heat source is about 3 feet above the floor of the enclosure. This spot, under the heat lamp, is where my snakes spend a lot of time.

On a related note, I took in an adopted ball python that was badly neglected and was very underweight. I focused on feeding him as much as he would eat, and on providing him a very proper temperature gradient, and he is now a beautiful, robust snake. It took several months to really see his weight come up to what it should be, but it's a pleasure to see him healthy now.

Good luck!

Hayseed

1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.3 Corn Snakes
1.0 Ball Python
2.2 Leopard Geckos

everlight389 May 17, 2008 07:19 PM

Thanks for the suggestions... what would be a good way to warm up my cages? Essentially I have two tall cages with regular light bulbs in the top. They are shielded, so the snakes can't burn themselves... what kind of bulb should I use to get the cage warmer? I've seen heat lamps but I'm not really sure which one would work best. I have a ceramic and a metal fixture if that matters.

Thanks
-----
1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Northern Blue Tongue Skink

Br8knitOFF May 18, 2008 12:16 PM

Ceramic heat bulbs/emitters work great, and from my experience, the best are made by Pearlco.

I just started using heat panels on the inside of my carpet cages, and they work even better, because they're mounted on the inside, making them much more energy efficient, too. It's also to keep the humidity where you want it when you have less ventilation on the top of your cage, and more on the sides...

Here's a picture of 3 of my carpet setups before I added greenery:

//Todd

iant May 18, 2008 10:27 PM

May I ask whom makes those cages? they look great! oh and would that set up work good for a Bredl's? many thanks

Ian

Br8knitOFF May 19, 2008 08:15 AM

Thanks.

I don't think I can say in this public forum, so I'm PM it to you.

As far as those setups for a Bredli, I don't see why not:

//Todd

iant May 19, 2008 08:42 AM

Thabks for the pm todd I will look into them, awesome setup and Bredl! any tips on husbandry for them that differs from the other Morelia? many thanks

Ian

Br8knitOFF May 19, 2008 03:17 PM

Yeah- when they get to the size of mine in that pic or bigger, WATCH OUT when feeding!!!

They're actually REALLY easy to care for- I think their requirements aren't as strict as some of the other morelia- that's not to say that I didn't provide for him like he should be provided for...

//Todd

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