Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Most have experienced, or know someone who has, the loss of a seemingly healthy adult snake for no discernable reason. Excluding the myriad of other possible causes, I'm postulating here that years of overfeeding taxes a snake's digestive system to the extent that it can fail. Nothing scientific, just throwing out a discussion topic. I feel snakes didn't evolve to be constantly digesting food, and their digestive system isn't able to withstand the constant "running" of the motor! Sooner or later something has to give.

It may not be the case w/hatchlings that are growing rapidly but seems to manifest itself into adulthood. Snakes, especially those that are predominantly ambush predators, would seem to have a high failure rate in securing prey. Sight hunters expend alot of energy hunting for prey and probably have dismal sucess on a weekly basis as well.

I guess I'm just extolling the virtues of "slow growing" and I feed my collection on what I feel is a "maintenance" schedule. They grow just fine of course they're always acting hungry. It may delay maturity a bit but IMHO, its just a healthier way for the animals in my care. Opinions?
Bill

I do agree that there is likely long-term health effects to overfeeding. I don't know of any actual studies on the topic, but would anticipate that the most stress is actually on the accessory organs, and not the gut itself. Chronic problems usually arise in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas moreso than the actual GI tract in my experience.

Such a study wouldn't be that difficult, but involves keeping a lot of animals, for a long time, which equals a lot of time and money to invest. Until then, we can only work with assumptions... Kelly, have you seen a study on the topic?

Ian

I agree and thought that was what I was postulating...need to be clearer I guess. I think overfeeding over a long period of time taxes the functions of the respective organs involved in the entire digestion process....just curious as to other's opinions.

Bill

Ian,
I have not yet seen any formal papers or research projects on this subject. The time and effort for a quality study in this area would be major, but could be very interesting. However, there is no doubt that excess weight, in the extreme sense, can negatively affect a snakes health. Female snakes that are slightly overweight seem to have the best reproductive success in captivity as opposed to underweight or greatly overweight individuals. With the exception of breeding females, it is probably best to keep them all with a fairly modest body mass.

Kelly

I've wondered something along these lines often myself. I'm curious how often you feed adults and what types of snakes you keep.
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1.0 rescued ball python
1.1 house rabbits
1.0 significant other
2.0 house cats
0.1 rescued Am. Staff. terrier mix

Depends upon the species. My adult Mangrove Snakes, Goynosomas, and Pseustes are fed every 7-10 days but not big meals, Bar Neck Scrubs and Emerald Tree Boas every 14 days, and my Sanzinia when feeding every 14 days as well. I keep all items smaller than conventional wisdom dictates. Its what I consider a maintenance plan as opposed to a "power feeding" regimen. Juvies and sub-adults of all species are fed every 7-10 days as well.

Bill

1.3 Boiga Dendrophila Gemmicinta
2.2 Boiga D. Melanota
2.4 Boiga D. Dendrophila
1.1 Goynosoma Oxcycephala
1.3 White Lipped Pythons
1.0 Pseustes Sulpherus
1.2 Spioltes Pullatus (sold)
1.1 Sanzinia
0.2 Black Milks
2.3 Cal Mtn. Kings (various localities)
2.3 Northern Emerals Tree Boas
1.1 Bar Neck Scrubs
and some misc. stuff I'm just too lazy to list LOL

Bill I didn't see your critter list prior to now. I'm envious

Ian

Thanks Ian! I am a fan of the "difficult" I must admit!

Bill