Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I think i already asked this but i just realized that if my snake was hatched on 11/22/03 then that would make him 7 months old right? Well hes on about 14 1/2 inches long. Isnt he to small or is this how snakes grow?

It just depends on how fast you want them to grow . In captivity we tend to push them by feeding them alot . In the wild they tend to grow slower because they are oppertunity hunters , they may go long periods with out eating .
I woundn't worry about his size he will be just fine . I Think it healthier to grow them up slower rather then feeding them every 2 or 3 days .A good meal once a week is pleanty .
I hope I was about help .

Jason

When people are feeding their own snakes they tend to feed them more frequently to get them to breeding size or a more robust/handling size quicker. But when a snake is hatched with the intention of selling it, there is no need to feed it more than the conservative amount each week. However the conservative amount (i.e. 1 rodent a week)is just as healthy if not more so. I have baught yearlings that are near the size of hatchlings. Some breeders even brumate the hatchlings their first winter. Which in your case would mean the snake did not get significant food until this spring.

If the snake is not skinny then there is no problem. He was probably on a maintenence diet which is fine and probably more then they would get in the wild. Easterns for the most part hatch out pretty small as well so he has probably put on 5 or so inches since hatching.

Keith
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ok but will any of this effect his size later on...I would like him to get big...

I feed him about 2 pinkies every 3 days....is this to much?

Some say the bulk of a snakes growth is in the first few years and that seems to be true as far as Ive seen. After about the age 4 they slow down considerably . The feeding schedule you have now is good for a good growth. I believe the key is small items more often. If you feed them big meals it takes longer to digest as oppsed to smaller meals more often so you get more calories in that way. I myself feed once week but its I would like to feed twice a week but I dont have the time. Your guy will catch up dont worry plus its genetics dont forget. If you want a 6' Eastern your best be is to get offspring from 6' parents.

Keith
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