Reptile & Amphibian Forums

New to the forum and a new owner of my first Pit, an IL Bull female. She's about 3 months old and is about 20" and I got her last week from a nice local petstore here in Mankato, MN. She is eating hoppers and I will also be mixing it up with pinky Rats, one of each per week, 3-4 days apart. I know that's a bit on the heavy side of feeding, but I'm looking for her to get a lot of growth this first year. That wouldn't be considered Powerfeeding would it?

Can any of the experienced folks here comment on my diet regime of alternating mouse/rat, and also frequency. What is average growth in the first year, 3 feet? Thanks! - Matt

I wouldnt call that power feeding, in fact you may find that it will eat plenty more than that. Captive pituophis are straight up pigs. They can devour a seemingly endless volume of vermin. Maybe try 3-4 of those sized critters per week, and if she doesnt go for it than back off one. You should expect a 30"-32" snake (give or take a few more inches) at the end of the season. Remember to up the portions with growth, at 24" she should be eating a few more a week than now, and if you want maximum size, keep the meal items small and feed more of them.

I'm sure I'll be flamed, but either way I knew what I was doing. I've been keeping my bullsnake in with my cornsnake this last week while I am constructing a new cage. The corn has always lived with other snakes, mostly cornsnakes, her whole life. I kept a careful eye on them the last week and they seemed to be getting along just fine with no interest paid on each other. The corn is about 40". After coming home from lunch today I discovered no bullsnake in the cage, cage top still clamped on real well. I'd never imagine my corn to eat her, but I can see and feel the bullsnake inside of her. Very sad, that bullsnake really grew on me the last week, such a fun snake. My apologies to her, and a tough lesson learned here.

I guess you can go get another, I mean what are they, bout 20 bones?

Years ago I had half a dozen or so G. B. gophers in a tank together, eventually one tried to eat another. I caught it about half way through the swallowing process and was able to bug the eater enough to barf up the eatie. It was alright.

That sounds horrible. Can't imagine that you were able to save that little guy.
I wonder, if snakes who have been together for a long time, is the likelyhood of this type of event happening really small? When I bought my first snakes (2 hatchling corn snakes, about 7 years ago) I put them together and they have been together ever since. They almost always are "cuddled up" together in the tank. After 7 years of co-habitation is there a chance that they might try to eat each other? They are both big corns. Or would they have tried that a long time ago if they were so inclined? How rare is that problem? I also keep my 2 sonoran gopher females together (they are sisters, 3 years old) and no signs of problem, should I be worried?
Janel

Yikes was what I thought about it. I think it has alot to do with the individuals feeding gusto. Some of these snakes are so bent on eating that they will try to eat anything that moves, so if you have just fed them and they all have mouse smells on their faces, it could be a problem. Sounds like yours are long term and perhaps a bit calmer, I wouldnt worry much, just keep an eye on them after feeding.

Found the bullsnake! Long story ... but a happy one ...