Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I feed most of my snakes an average of every 10-14 days. All of my snakes in my collection are healthy but I sometimes get discouraged when I see pics of other boas of similar age that are much bigger. Ultimately, I always figured it was healthier to feed less frequently rather than to 'fatten' a boa for breeding purposes. I also have always maintained the philosophy that snakes in the wild have to work harder for their prey and may not always eat as frequently in the wild as their spoiled, captive counterparts. Anyway, is there any valid, factual research or data that correlates the pre-adult growth rate of boas to the number of reproductive years they experience as adults?
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Happy New Year, Jason
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My Website: www.members.aol.com/northeastsnakes
My collection...
BOAS: 0.1 Solomon Island Ground Boa, 1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas, 1.1 Argentine Boas, 2.2 Nicaraguans, 1.1 Sonoran Desert Boas, 1.1 Cay Caulkers, 1.0 Columbian Boa 100% het Kahl Albino, 0.1 Anery boa, 0.1 Salmon OTW, 1.1 Hog Island Boas, 0.1 Hog Island Boa poss het patternless.
PYTHONS: 1.2 Green Tree Pythons, 2.2 Bismarck Ringed Pythons, 2.8 Normal Ball Pythons, 1.0 Ball Python 100% het Piebald, 1.1 Spotted Pythons.
COLUBRIDS: 1.1 Black Pines, 1.1 Northern Pines, 2.2 Bairds Ratsnakes, 1.2 White-sided Black Ratsnakes.
CORNS: 1.0 Blizzard, 1.2 Bloodreds, 1.2 Butters, 1.0 Ghost, 0.1 Sunglow, 1.0 Hypo het Amber, 1.1 Lavenders, 1.1 Miami Phases, 1.2 Reverse Okeetee, 0.1 Snow, 0.1 Striped Amel, 3.2 Okeetees.
OTHER: 0.0.3 N. Diamondback Terrapins.

to my understanding, feeding a boa every ten days to every two weeks depending on its metabolism is not bad but GOOD for long term health and productivity. Usually "properly" grown boas do not become as large as some and may have slightly smaller litters, but the live longer, breed more continueously, have lower mortality rate in babies, have healthier litters, and much more to equal a GOOD practice.

I feed my boas depending on age, sex, size, metabolism, and subspecies. Some can grow faster without concern (BCI, BCO), some need to take it slow (BCC, BCA), and males get fed less to keep them STRONG, LEAN, and ready to go. Of course it all depends on the individual.

Hope this helps, anyone with more experience please post.
Chris