Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a Dumeril's Boa and a Ball python. Will these overeat? Both are yearlings...the ball is about 2 feet, the dumeril a bit longer. I feed each a mouse every 5 days or so. the ball will always eat...

just wondering if you can overfeed a snake.
thanks
hunter

Almost any snake can over eat. I personally think it's best to feed less frequently and stagger feedings. For example, with hatchlings and yearling/sub-adults, I typically try to feed at least once a week to once every two weeks. With older snakes that are at least a year and a half to two years old I usually feed no more frequently than once every two weeks with larger adults and or inactive species [Blood/Borneo Pythons], being fed only once every three weeks or so. It's always better to under feed somewhat than over feed. Also, feeding with less frequency and staggering feedings more mimics natural feeding patterns which in my experience helps some species maintain a better appetite.
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Matt Campbell
Animal Keeper, Small Mammal/Reptile House
Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, Illinois

Assistant Curator
Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, Illinois

Captive snakes tend to be less active than their wild counterparts, and they tend to eat more frequently. Think about it: what are the chances of 3 robust rodents wandering across a kingsnake's path once a week on schedule in the wild?

I once "rescued" a kingsnake who resembled a banded argyle sausage. His human believed that he should keep offering him rodents until he didn't want any more at a given feeding! The skin actually showed between his scales and coiling up was a challenge. Through well-intentioned ignorance, the snake was at risk for many serious health problems.

His food intake was seriously modified, and he was handled daily to exercise him. Three years later he's looking pretty normal. This is an extreme example, but it happens to differing degrees frequently. On the flip side, I've also taken in seriously underweight animals from humans who contend, "I thought it only had to eat every six months."

Just my opinion--as a nation we tend to overfeed ourselves and our animals. There seem to be just as many weight management cat foods and lite dog biscuits as low fat, calorie, carb people foods. Perhaps someone needs to come up with a lo-cal rodent--it would probably sell very well !(LOL) Sorry, I digress. . .

Folks post photos of beautiful, healthy animals here on the forums as a quick reference as to whether your snake is too thin or too fat. As a rule of thumb, one or two appropriately sized food items every 5-10 days, depending on species, usually makes for a healthy snake.

If an animal is not a consistent feeder,is gearing up for breeding, or as a rule is the repository for leftover rodents, the human needs to compensate for this in the snake's feeding regime. Snakes have differing food requirements at different times depending on their activity level and physiological needs.

Sorry for the long post--can you tell I've had too much caffeine today/yesterday? Darn those Starbucks gift cards!

regards,
althea

I agree with the above posts, but would stress the following:
1.There are species specific nutrional requirements. for example a hatchling Burmese python can get to 10-14 feet within two years, if feed properly. A slower growing and smaller ball python hatchling couldn't possibly eat the same amount and survive. I have seen people try and feed their baby Burmese or Retics like they would a kingsnake, one mouse, once or twice a month, only to end up with a stunted and mean snake. Also northen snakes, that brumate, are much healtheir when allowed a seasonal fasting.

2.There are age specific needs as well, just as Matt mentioned above, you can't feed an adult snake the same way you feed a neonate. just as with humans, and basically any animal, its important to have a varied and abundant diet during the growing years, which for a snake is the first one to three, after which the metabolism begins to slow and become more efficient and less and less calories are needed.

I have seven adult snakes, all pits and rats, and the only one I haven't been able to figure out is my female 6' everglades/yellow ratsnake...she's a vacuum and I got into a bad habit of giving her any extra mice/rats that my others might refuse as I hate to see even a feeder animal wasted.

I've moderated her by not feeding her as often, but this past year she got so heavy I was sure she was pregnant. But it seems it was not the case. I've cooled her for a month or so and she hasn't eaten in at least two months and is starting to look mormal again, but my question is; next year, what's the minimum amount I might try feeding her? (I'm not planning on breeding her anytime soon---don't have a mate for her) Thanks for wading thru this...

The minimum is nothing at all. A well fed healthy adult rat snake could go a year or more without eating at all. Once a month is probably a safer method.