Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Alright....yep, its the paranoid parent again. And this is an after the fact question. He has been ravenously eating an adult mouse once every week and it seemed time to up his feeding. But none of the pet places around here carry anything other than adult feeder mice and small/large feeder rats. I couldn't decide whether the small rats were two large for him or not. So I offered him two adult mice today and he grabbed and ate both. Is it dangerous or unhealthy to have this large of a feed size difference...from one to two? He's curled under his log and seems to be brething very heavily. Entire body is moving much more than typical resting breaths. Normal after eating? I've never noticed this before. Anything I should worry about and any suggestions for future feeding if I should not have fed this much? Thank you!!!

It's fine. If he'll eat two, give him two. Ask if he wants dessert

just give him a small rat (killed first) if hes gonna eat 2 adult mice per sitting.

Thank you so much....I didn't think it would be a problem and then I got incredibly worried after the fact. He's moving around some so ...whewwww...and yes, I'm sure he'd looove dessert It seems like a small rat would be just a little bigger at its widest part as he is...but then I fret the mice aren't going to make it down. I can never get over how something like that can fit through that tiny little head and narrow neck You think a small rat should be ok? Could it hurt to offer? Would he attempt something too large?

my 3 foot bp has been eating small rats no problems. only thing i can suggest is killing the rat first (beat it over the head till blood comes thru its ears). also, get a box, so the snake will have a dark enclosure to eat its meal. Wiggle the rat infront of the snake, rub it against its nose, and it should strike. We are talking fresh killed here, so it should have some body heat to trick the snake. It takes my snake about 15 good mins from strike-coil-swallow.

He's about two foot now...my baby's growing up....lol he's only grown maybe an inch since I got him in length...but he's definately bulkier. I should weigh him somehow. I also wanted to switch to f/t, he's eating stunned now. Is it easier to switch over on mice or should I wait till he's on rats, does it matter?

I wouldn't go with small rats for a 2-footer. Try the two mice for a few weeks, and when it seems like he swallows them rather easily would be a good time to start with small rats. Maybe weanling rats, though it doesn't sound like you can get those. If you want to switch to frozen, I'd think now would be just as good a time as any, since he has such a strong feeding response. Good luck!

Thank you! Such simple questions and basic knowledge, but its hard to come by!!!!!