Reptile & Amphibian Forums

so I got a 6ft redtail the other day, and the guy who I got it from said he would feed it 1 med rat every two weeks. doesn't sound like enough to me, but I am new to snakes and I haven't had one this big before. does this sound right?

Misty Sprouse

Well all I can tell you is I have a male thats about 5 feet and he eats one large rat every week. He seems to not have any problems with it and he's not fat at all.

I have a 6 foot boa, and she eats one medium rat or two small rats every two weeks. A couple weeks ago, I tried to give her a rat after only a week and she refused him. Your boa should be absolutely fine on one every other week, but if you notice that she immediately goes for the rat every time and still seems to be looking for more when she finishes, then you could always try a second. I use a separate feeding box for my boa, and rather than reaching in when she finishes eating, I use a yard stick to pet her with to let her know that there's no more coming. If she strikes the yardstick a couple times, I realize she might still be hungry.

I have a 6 - 6.5 foot BCI also. He is eating 1 large Frozen/thawed rat about every two weeks. He would eat more, but I have had him on this schedule for about three years now. He has only ever refused a meal ONCE in his life, and that was when he was heavily courting a female during breeding season.
I suggest you move your boa up to large rats and feed him every two weeks. Of course, I have never seen the boa so I can't be 100% accurate... it is all speculation from behind a computer monitor!
Take care and good luck with your new boa
- Eric

PS: got anymore pics?

only one more picture of him in the cage he came with. But I will get more soon.

thanks for everyone's help

Misty

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